Bangladesh: Early Aman harvesting begins in Dinajpur
Bangladesh’s Dinajpur district began harvesting early-maturing Aman rice variety BRRI-75, which matures in 110–112 days and yields about 5.24–5.5 tonnes per hectare. Officials expect early harvesting to help farmers prepare fields for Rabi crops, potentially enabling three crops annually and improving land-use efficiency.
Harvesting and threshing of the early-maturing Aman rice variety BRRI-75 officially began in the district today, raising hopes among farmers of completing the harvest well ahead of the traditional Nabanna season and preparing their fields for winter crops.
The new variety, developed through modern agricultural research, is being promoted for its high yield and relatively short growing period.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Agriculturist Md Afzal Hossain said agricultural researchers have been working to develop high-yielding, early-maturing rice varieties to help farmers increase production while making better use of their land throughout the year.
BRRI-75 was cultivated on an experimental basis in Dinajpur last year. The trial produced encouraging yields, prompting agricultural officials to expand cultivation of the variety this year.
As part of the initiative, a limited quantity of seeds was distributed among selected farmers in all 13 upazilas of the district, one of the country’s major rice-producing areas. This year, farmers have planted early-maturing Aman varieties in several areas.
The first harvesting ceremony of BRRI-75 this season was held at Jharbari village in Birganj upazila this morning, where farmer Md Rashidul Islam began harvesting his Aman crop.
On the same day, harvesting of BRRI-75 also began at Prembazar village under Nijpara Union of the same upazila, on the field of farmer Jyotish Roy.
Agricultural officials said the development of short-duration, high-yielding rice varieties through modern research is creating new opportunities for farmers.
While Bangladesh’s traditional Nabanna harvest festival is generally associated with the month of Agrahayan, the early Aman crop in Birganj has already reached the harvesting stage in Ashwin this year.
The early harvest is particularly significant as it allows farmers to prepare their land for another crop much sooner than with conventional Aman varieties.
Birganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md Shariful Islam told BSS that harvesting of early-maturing Aman rice began today with the crops of two farmers in two villages of the upazila.
He said around 10.5 hectares of land have been brought under early-maturing hybrid paddy cultivation in Birganj this year. The varieties include BINA-17, BRRI-75 and BRRI-87.
According to him, these early Aman varieties can generally be harvested within 110 to 112 days after planting.
“Harvesting and threshing of the early varieties is expected to be completed within the next month,” he said.
The varieties are producing yields of roughly 5.24 to 5.5 metric tonnes per hectare, he added.
The biggest advantage for farmers, however, may come after the paddy is harvested.
As the early Aman varieties mature relatively quickly, farmers can prepare their fields in time for the winter Rabi season, allowing them to cultivate crops such as potato, mustard, maize and wheat.
Farmers are already preparing to use the harvested Aman fields for Rabi crops, creating the possibility of obtaining three crops from land that traditionally supported two crops a year.
Agricultural officials said continued technical assistance and advice could help farmers expand the practice and make more efficient use of their farmland.
The early Aman harvest in Dinajpur is emerging as an example of how improved varieties can help farmers shorten the crop cycle, increase land-use efficiency and create opportunities for additional Rabi crops.
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Source : BSS News
