BRRI's 50 years in rice research

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has just stepped into 50 years. Established on October 01, 1970, this pioneering research organisation has an extraordinary contribution to the country's food security by attaining food autarky. It was a time when the country had food deficiency and since independence Bangladesh has more than tripled its food production.

Since its inception, the BRRI has developed a total of 105 high-yielding modern rice varieties that are being cultivated in almost 80 per cent of the total rice fields in Bangladesh. They include high protein, zinc and vitamin-enriched varieties.

Also rice database, area-based cultivation method, and agro-climate database are some of the BRRI's achievements. Bangladesh is now the third-largest rice-producing country in the world, according to a USAID report. Despite the BRRI achievements, the country is facing challenges like fast-growing population, climate change and natural hazards. However, it is hoped that BRRI will act as an avant-garde to feed the nation.

Mahsab Hossain Rony

Communications Assistant, BRRI, Gazipur

[email protected]