BRRI 98 Aush paddy will play a big role in food security: Agriculture Minister
Awami League presidium member and Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak said that the agricultural land is decreasing day by day, on the contrary, the population is increasing. In order to maintain the food supply of 17 crore people in the world's most populous country, crops must be grown from the same land every year. Crop production should be increased. Usually paddy ripens in 140-160 days, if that paddy ripens in 90-100 days, then it has great potential. BRRI 98 Aush rice brings that possibility. Happening in 90-100 days; the yield is also 25-30 maunds. If this variety can be spread across the country, BRRI 98 Aush rice will play a big role in food security.
He said these things while visiting the BRRI 98 variety Aush paddy field in Mushuddi village of Dhanbari upazila of Tangail on Saturday (August 19) afternoon.
The Agriculture Minister said that due to the lack of improved varieties and the risk of drought, floods and heavy rains, the Aush paddy has decreased a lot in the country. Cultivation of Boro and Aman have increased. Already, our scientists have developed short life improved Aush rice. BRRI 98 shows great potential in the field. If this variety can be popularized at the field level, Aush will become a big crop in the country again. At the same time it will widen the farmer's smile as a profitable crop.
Farmer Iqbal Hossain informed about the plan to grow 4 crops a year on the same land. He said he cut this Aush rice of BRRI 98 variety in 98-100 days with 20 days of seedlings. Earlier he cultivated BRRI 96 in Boro season on this land. Now he will plant BRRI 75 in Aman and cut Aman to grow short life mustard.
At that time, Additional Deputy Director (Horticulture) Mahamudul Hasan of District Agriculture Extension Directorate and other officials of Agriculture Department and local Awami League leaders were present.