SANGSAD BHABAN, Oct 23, 2018 (BSS) – Agriculture Minister Begum
Matia Chowdhury today said the country has potential to produce 25 lakh
tons additional rice by 2030.
“The country has a possibility to increase rice production manifolds by
reorganizing land under aus and aman cultivation…bring fellow land under
cultivation and implementing cultivation plan of modern high yielding variety
instead of local one,” said the minister while responding to a query made by
treasury bench lawmaker M Abdul Latif at the House here.
To this end, she said the government has taken various steps for enhancing
hybrid rice cultivation. Increasing cultivation of aus through declining the
cultivation of Boro, she added.
Extension of short life paddy cultivation including BRRI Dhan-33, BRRI
Dhan-39, BRRI Dhan-62 and BRRI Dhan-64. “Even drought tolerant varieties
like BRRI Dhan-55, BRRI Dhan-56, BRRI Dhan-57 and BRRI Dhan-66 would
be extended,” she noted.
Besides, saline tolerant varieties like BRRI Dhan-47, BRRI Dhan-67, BRRI
Dhan-73, 78, BINA Dhan -8 and 10 are being extended in the coastal regions,
the minister said.
High Yielding varieties like BRRI Dhan-63, BRRI Dhan-68 and BRRI Dhan-74
instead of local variety also to be extended, said Matia.