As Bangladesh faces a steady decline in arable land alongside rising food demand driven by population growth, scientists at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have developed a new high-yield rice variety, BRRI Dhan-103, to help ensure the nation’s food security. The new variety, which delivers higher yields from smaller plots, has already generated strong enthusiasm among farmers across the country.
In Gopinathpur village of Madhabpur upazila, over one hundred farmers cultivated BRRI Dhan-103 on approximately 100 acres of land under the supervision of the BRRI Nagura Regional Office. On Tuesday afternoon, a harvest and field day event was organized, attended by agricultural officials, local representatives, and hundreds of farmers. The event took on a festive atmosphere as farmers harvested the new variety, celebrating its success.
Farmer Abdul Bached Badu Mia said, “Earlier, I used to get around 25 to 30 maunds of rice per acre from other varieties. Now, with BRRI Dhan-103, I am harvesting over 40 maunds. It requires less water and produces beautiful, heavy grains. This variety brings higher profits for farmers.”
Another farmer, Momtaz Begum, shared that despite trying several high-yielding varieties in the past, none had produced such results. “This rice has increased my income and improved my family’s livelihood. Farmers in our area are eager to adopt this variety,” she said.
Farmer Shahed Mia added, “This is my first time cultivating BRRI Dhan-103, and I am amazed at how well it has withstood drought, heavy rain, and strong winds. The yield exceeded my expectations.”
Habiganj District Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, attended the event as chief guest. He said, “Arable land in Bangladesh is shrinking fast, while climate change continues to affect agriculture adversely. We now need rice varieties that can produce higher yields using less time, land, and water. BRRI Dhan-103 meets that need. It matures in just 110 to 115 days, allowing farmers to grow three crops a year on the same land, which will significantly strengthen food security.”
Dr. Partha Sarathi Biswas, Chief Scientific Officer of the BRRI Nagura Regional Office, explained that BRRI Dhan-103 is a climate-resilient variety resistant to pests and diseases. “Its average yield exceeds seven tons per hectare—about 25 percent higher than traditional varieties. The grains are white, slender, and fetch a good market price. Farmers trust it because it requires less labor yet delivers higher profit,” he said.
Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Shahana Parvin noted, “BRRI Dhan-103 is a modern, technology-based variety designed to perform well even under adverse weather conditions. Within the next few years, it is expected to bring a transformation in Bangladesh’s rice production.”
Mahbubur Rahman Sohag, Chairman of the Chaumuhani Union Parishad, said farmers in his area are increasingly adopting the new variety. “This rice has opened a new horizon in agriculture,” he said.
