Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute Bhavan. Photo: Facebook

BAU, (Mymensingh), Jan 20, 2025 (BSS) - Bumper yield of BINA-20 dhan has brought smiles to farmers in Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts who faced severe suffering due to floods last year.

In August 2024, large areas of land in Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts were flooded due to sudden heavy rains and the Indian hilly slope.

Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute (BINA) came forward to help the farmers affected by the flood. BINA's Aman rice varieties, especially BINA-20, were distributed among the flood-hit farmers. 

Its high yield has brought smiles to the faces of the farmers of the districts. Even after the late planting, an average yield of five tonnes per hectare was obtained, said Director General (Acting) of BINA Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad. 

He said 1500 kilograms of seedlings and seeds of BINA-7, BINA-11, BINA-16, BINA-17, BINA-20 and BINA-22 varieties were provided free of cost to the flood-affected farmers of Cumilla and Feni districts through BINA Sub-Center, Cumilla.

The yield of BINA-20 is very promising even after the late planting. The flood-affected farmers have been able to overcome the loss by getting high yield and market price of BINA-20.

This rice has not only become a crop for them but has also become a new light of hope after the disaster. 

Senior Scientific Officer of BINA Sub-Center, Cumilla Dr. Md. Hasanuzzaman Roni said it has been seen in various upazilas of Cumilla that rice has been possible to harvest within 120-130 days after planting the BINA-20 dhan. Around 18-20 maunds of rice have been produced per bigha of land, which is 20-50 percent more than other Aman rice.

Due to late planting, many Ufshi rice varieties have not completed flowering and have become more brittle.

However, as 80 percent of the grains are nourished by BINA-20 dhan, the farmers have got the expected yield. 

Dr. Roni also said that BINA-20 dhan is a zinc and iron-rich rice which is reddish in color. The rice is rich in nutrients. Due to its unique color and nutritional value, it is in high demand in the markets.