A workshop titled "Locality-based rice  variety and technology innovation and existing laboratory development (LSTD)"  held at BRRI headquarters in Gazipur today. Photo: BRRI

DHAKA, June 21, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) 
has reported major progress in its project of developing rice varieties and 
technologies local areas.

This information was revealed at a workshop titled "Locality-based rice 
variety and technology innovation and existing laboratory development (LSTD)" 
held at BRRI headquarters in Gazipur today.
 
The workshop focused on the progress of the project, which has been 
underdevelopment since July 1, 2023, and expected to end on June 30, 2028.

As part of the project, six new regional offices and satellite stations have 
already been established. BRRI has also made advancements in developing 
research laboratories, creating technology villages to bring innovations 
directly to farmers, and collecting germplasm from different regions. 

The average yield of BRRI's free rice varieties has also experienced 
development.

The project includes initiatives to enhance the higher education of BRRI 
staff, improve seed processing and conservation, strengthen research and 
technology innovation, and provide training to both BRRI personnel and 
farmers, including agricultural extension workers. 

BRRI DG Dr Mohammad Khalequzzaman presided over the workshop while Additional 
Secretary (Planning Division) of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mahbubul 
Haque Patwari attended the functions as the chief guest.
 
BRRI's Director (Research) Dr Md Rafiqul Islam and Director (Administration 
and General Services) Dr Munnujan Khanam were also present among others.

Project Director Dr Md Mofazzal Hossain presented the keynote paper.

According to the presentation, the main objective of the project is to 
support BRRI's core research, particularly in the innovation and development 
of rice varieties and technologies suited to different regions. 

These efforts are especially important in the context of climate change and 
the need to ensure food and nutritional security for the country's growing 
population.

The project also aims to address local agricultural challenges, particularly 
in underdeveloped areas such as the southern and hilly regions. It includes 
upgrading research laboratories at BRRI's existing eleven regional offices 
and developing new ones in the proposed regional offices.

A total of fifteen technology villages are being created across the country 
to ensure that BRRI's innovations reach farmers timely and effectively.

Progress so far includes the development of a new rice variety and five 
technologies that are currently under innovation. Fifteen technology villages 
have been initially selected with the support of BRRI's regional offices and 
the Department of Agricultural Extension.

Service providers are being appointed in these villages to demonstrate BRRI's 
new technologies and to offer technical support and training to farmers. So 
far, 165 field days and crop harvesting events have been conducted to 
encourage local farmers to cultivate BRRI-developed Ufshi Aman rice 
varieties.