Banglamoti paddy cultivation

There was a news item in the media in 2008 which stated that BRRI had developed a variety of rice called Banglamoti --one that is similar to Bashmoti rice of Pakistan and India -- but its yield per hector is likely to be double. Banglamoti rice was cultivated in different regions in Bangladesh experimentally and the result was very encouraging. It was mentioned in the news item that Banglamoti could be produced in both Aman and Aush seasons. It was further stated that within ten years, half of the land dedicated to rice production in Bangladesh would be brought under Banglamoti cultivation. By now, 12 seasons have passed but the Banglamoti rice is not seen in the wholesale market in Dhaka. A consumer intending to have Bashmoti rice has to buy the same from the market. Most people cannot have the taste of Bashmoti rice as it is costly. We hoped that as the Banglamoti yield is expected to be double that of Bashmoti, the price of locally produced Banglamoti will be within the reach of the common people in Bangladesh.
It is learnt that the long Banglamoti paddy could not be husked in the existing rice mills in the country now. Only a few mills in Gazipur can do that. Farmers are not interested to cultivate Banglamoti paddy mainly due to husking problem. The government can provide necessary administrative and financial support to the private millers to set up suitable rice mills needed for husking the Banglamoti paddy. Machinery can be imported from India for the purpose.
I would like to urge upon the government to take appropriate steps to popularise the cultivation of Banglamoti rice among farmers of every upazilla of the country. An awareness development project can be launched to encourage them and the financial institutions may be advised to extend financial assistance to the intending entrepreneurs to set up husking mills for Banglamoti paddy.

Md. Ashraf Hossain
120, Central Bashaboo
Dhaka-1214
mah120cb@yahoo.com