The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) today marks its 56th founding anniversary, reflecting on a transformative journey that has played a decisive role in taking the country from food scarcity to self-sufficiency in rice production.
Half a century ago, rice productivity in Bangladesh was alarmingly low, averaging only about one ton per hectare, or 3.5 maunds per bigha. With a population of just over 70 million in 1971, annual rice production stood at only 10 million metric tons, forcing the country to import another 10 million tons to meet demand. Natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, and droughts often worsened the crisis, while famine remained a recurring threat. One of the darkest episodes came in 1974, when widespread floods combined with geopolitical hostility to trigger a devastating famine. At that time, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger notoriously dismissed Bangladesh as a “bottomless basket.” Four decades later, the same country has emerged as a model of hunger reduction, with international voices acknowledging that rice research and agricultural innovation have been at the heart of this turnaround.
The foundation of rice research in Bangladesh dates back to 1910–11, when early efforts began with limited manpower and resources under the leadership of Dr. G.P. Hector and Dr. Hedayetullah. Over the years, this effort evolved into structured programs and institutions. The journey of rice research in Bangladesh can be broadly divided into five phases: the Early Phase (1910–1939), the Pre-Preparatory Phase (1940–1959), the Preparatory Phase (1960–1969), the High-Yielding Variety Phase (1970–2009), and the Post-HYV Phase (2010 onwards).
The early decades focused primarily on collecting germplasm, selecting pure lines, and testing traditional varieties such as Kataktara, Panbira, Pukhi, Chingrighushi, and Latisail. The 1940s and 1950s were disrupted by war, famine, communal riots, and Partition, which caused many researchers to move to India. Yet, under scientists like Dr. A. Alim, structured rice breeding programs gradually resumed, leading to the first major projects in the 1960s.
In 1966, with support from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, the first trials of 303 high-yielding rice lines began in Savar. By 1967–68, IR8—the world’s first “miracle rice”—was released in Bangladesh, tripling yields compared to traditional varieties. The research hub was relocated to Joydebpur (now in Gazipur) in 1969, and by 1970, the East Pakistan Rice Research Institute (EPRRI) was formally established. Following independence, this evolved into BRRI, which has since spearheaded Bangladesh’s rice revolution.
In the decades that followed, BRRI released breakthrough varieties such as BR1 (Chandina), BR2 (Mala), and BR3 (Biplab), the latter playing a crucial role in the “Green Revolution” initiated under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Over time, other high-yielding varieties like BR11, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan47, BRRI dhan49, and BRRI dhan50 transformed productivity across the country. Alongside yield gains, varieties tolerant to floods, drought, and salinity were also developed to adapt to the diverse agro-ecological conditions of Bangladesh.
Since 2010, rice research has focused on addressing more complex challenges: climate change, resource constraints, nutritional needs, and sustainability. BRRI has worked on new plant types, short-duration crops, stress-tolerant varieties, and biofortified rice enriched with zinc and Vitamin A. Hybrid rice research has advanced as well, though commercial competition has limited its impact. At the same time, the institute has invested in biotechnology, genomics, agronomy, pest management, farm mechanization, and socio-economic studies.
BRRI today is recognized not just for breeding new varieties but also for contributing to irrigation innovations, pest control systems, and policy-driven agricultural research. Its collaboration with global institutions such as IRRI and support from organizations like the FAO and Ford Foundation have further strengthened its impact. The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and private seed companies also continue to play complementary roles in sustaining rice research and hybrid seed development.
Bangladesh now stands self-sufficient in rice production, an achievement unimaginable in the famine-stricken 1970s. The journey, however, has not been without challenges. The Green Revolution, while successful, led to ecological concerns due to the heavy reliance on irrigation and fertilizers, prompting experts like India’s Dr. M.S. Swaminathan to call for a transition to a “Evergreen Revolution” emphasizing sustainability.
Today, BRRI’s vision aligns with the government’s five-year development plans and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aiming not only to double productivity but also to ensure food and nutrition security in the face of climate uncertainty. With its Vision 2050, BRRI looks ahead to sustaining Bangladesh’s hard-earned gains and continuing to feed the nation.
From its humble beginnings more than a century ago to its official establishment 56 years ago, BRRI has remained central to the nation’s fight against hunger. Its contribution to transforming Bangladesh into a food-secure country has not only silenced the old “bottomless basket” narrative but has also positioned the country as a global model in agricultural innovation.
The writter is the former Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute .
