In order to ensure food safety in Bangladesh, scientists have been working for a long time to develop improved and high-yielding varieties of rice, that can thrive in diverse and challenging environments. The latest version of these advancements is known as “Genetic Gain.”
According to scientists, Genetic Gain refers to the development of specific traits in crops, within a defined period of time, along with a significant increase in overall production. This process involves the creation of rice varieties, that possess enhanced characteristics, allowing them to produce more in less time.
Through this process, Bangladeshi scientists are creating rice varieties, that can produce higher yields, within a shorter time frame. At the same time, they are also focusing on improving the quality of the rice. This includes enhancing its aroma appearance, texture, and overall appeal.
By developing rice varieties with enhanced qualities, Bangladeshi scientists aim to address the need for increased food production in Bangladesh, while ensuring the satisfaction of consumers’ preferences. These improved rice varieties offer, higher yields and improved quality, making them more desirable for both farmers and consumers.
The Genetic Gain approach, has the potential to revolutionize rice production in Bangladesh by increasing productivity, and ensuring the availability of safe, and high-quality food for the population. Bangladeshi Scientists continue to work towards developing new and improved rice varieties, that can meet the evolving demands of the country’s agriculture sector.
The cultivation of modern varieties of rice has already begun, accompanied by ongoing research. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has developed 113 high-yielding modern rice varieties, including, 8 hybrid varieties. Each of these varieties has unique characteristics. However, the average lifespan of the most popular rice varieties, has exceeded 28-30 years, making them considered “old” varieties. The yields of these varieties, have also started to decline over time.
Although, many new rice varieties have been developed during this period, they have not been able to replace the popularity of the previous ones. As a result, ensuring food security has become increasingly challenging.
However, it is hoped that by acquiring “genetic gain”, Bangladesh can overcome these challenges in ensuring food security. The research institutions in the country, are working towards achieving this goal.
Solution to the Increasing Demand:
Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman, Chief Scientific Officer, of the Rice Research Institute, stated that, the current rice varieties are capable of producing 4 tons per hectare, due to genetic gain technology, resulting in a yield of 2.2 tons of rice per hectare.
As a result of genetic gain, it is possible to meet the increasing food demand and achieve the desired level of development in Bangladesh. According to the Rice Research Institute, approximately, 400 million tons of rice were produced in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The government has set a target to increase this production to 60 million tons by the year 2030.
At the same time, the goal has been set to increase rice production by 25% by 2050. Researchers at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, presented a scientific research paper in September 2021, on how to increase rice production.
Through research, an estimated population of Bangladesh by 2050, the amount of cultivable land, annual increase in rice production, and the evaluation of climatic conditions, were taken into consideration.
Therefore, with the application of genetic gain technology, and strategic agricultural planning, it is believed that, Bangladesh can meet the increasing demand for rice, and achieve sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
Bangladeshi Researchers have stated that, genetic gain improvement, precision farming on infertile land, agricultural mechanization, and ensuring fair pricing for crops, will increase the production of this staple food.
Taking into account, all types of environmental constraints, Bangladeshi researchers have determined the target production, of 9.6 tons of rice per hectare by 2030; 6.2 tons per hectare in Drought-prone areas, 3.7 tons per hectare in flood-prone areas, and 8.1 tons per hectare, in areas affected by salinity.
Focus on Quality Improvement:
While the government’s main target is to increase rice production, another objective, is the commercialization of agriculture. In this case, along with high-yielding rice varieties, emphasis is being given on premium quality or high-quality rice production. The market demand for high-quality rice is higher. It can be fragrant smooth and shiny.
Considering the growing population and changing dietary preferences, it is crucial to focus on both quantity and quality improvement in rice production. The research institutes, along with government support, are working towards achieving these goals to ensure food security, and economic development in Bangladesh.
Why Rice is becoming Old:
The decrease in yield of current rice varieties is influenced by various factors, such as: the timing of planting rice seedlings, soil conditions, weather, and genetic characteristics, of the rice. These factors are interdependent and contribute to the decline in productivity.
According to, Mr. Mohammad Iftekhar Uddoula, of the Rice Research Institute, rice is a self-pollinating crop. As a result, there is no significant change in its production. However, the types of diseases affecting rice as well, as the bio-types of insects and pests, are constantly changing due to environmental, and climatic changes. These factors among others, have led to a decrease in the production of current rice varieties, compared to before. This is why, many refer to these commonly cultivated rice varieties as “old rice.”
It is important to note that, the term “old rice” does not refer to the age of the crop itself, but rather to the decline in productivity, and effectiveness of the current varieties, due to various factors mentioned above.
The time required for breeding new rice varieties will decrease:
It is hoped that, in the coming days, the genetic gain or yield of rice varieties, will increase significantly. As a result, not only the productivity of rice will increase, but also the time required for the development of new rice varieties will be reduced by four to five years, according to Bangladeshi scientists.
This means that, the process that used to take 10-15 years for the development of a rice variety, can now be completed in 8-10 years.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is implementing this genetic gain project, with the technical assistance of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the financial support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
They are primarily conducting research on developing different varieties of rice, that are resistant to adverse environmental conditions, such as, climate change in a short period of time. Research institutions in Bangladesh, are shortening the duration of the rice breeding cycle, ensuring accurate selection of breeding lines, utilizing modern techniques for managing breeding data, and extensively researching different types of rice, in various field conditions, to increase rice production, and genetic gains. International Rice Research Institutes provide leadership in this field.
Citation:
- Sanzana Chowdhury, BBC news Bangla, Dhaka.
Link: https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cjryx21nq4go
- Dainik Azadi, news, Chittagong.