RAJSHAHI, May 12 (BSS): Scientists and researchers at a regional workshop here today underscored the need for boosting rice production in Rajshahi region facing the adverse impact of climate change to ensure food security of the nation.
They viewed Rajshahi region experiences moderate to severe droughts frequently which are detrimental to the paddy production. In this odd situation, time has come to adopt short, medium and long- term measures to maintain the rice farming in the region.
Climate Change and Rice Project of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) organized the workshop styled "Adaptation for Crop Production in Changing Climate: Drought Prone Areas" held at the BRRI Regional Station in Rajshahi.
Executive Director of Barind Multipurpose Development Authorities Engineer Ahsan Zakir addressed the workshop as chief guest while BRRI Director General Jiban Kumar Biswas spoke as guest of honour.
With Principal Investigator of the project Dr Jatish Chandra Biswas in the chair, Additional Director of Department of Agriculture Extension Nurul Amin, Director (Administration) of BRRI Dr Shahjahan Kabir, Chief Scientific Officer Dr Abdur Rashid and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Mostofa Kamal also spoke.
During his keynote presentation, Dr Jatish Chandra Biswas said there are manifold problems of rice production in drought prone area. Extreme temperature, erratic rainfall and fall of groundwater level threaten rice production and livelihood in the area.
He says moderate to severe drought are adding more pressure on irrigation sources for sustainable rice production that is very important to feed the gradually increasing population.
Besides, soil nutrients depletion, high temperature and erratic rainfall are posing serious threats to cereal crop production as well as food security of the country.
Dr Jatish Biswas, however, said less water demanding short duration, drought tolerant and heat tolerant crops should be cultivated for sustainable food production.
In the groundwater deficit conditions, promotion of direct seeded rice can be a good example of climate change impact adaptation.
"We have no more scope to install deep tubewells in the high barind tract for irrigation purposes. We are working hard to enrich the surface water resources," said the chief guest Ahsan Zakir.
BRRI DG Jiban Kumar urged all the authorities concerned to promote the newly developed rice varieties and technologies to boost rice production.
