Geneticist and rice researcher Dr Abed Chowdhury has produced new Aman rice varieties in Kulaura, Moulvibazar. He says the crop can be harvested about a month and a half earlier than usual after transplanting.

On Thursday (14 October), farmer Rasel Mia of Hajipur union, engaged by the scientist, began harvesting. On 30 decimals, he grew Kanihati-1 to Kanihati-16 as a demonstration, named after the scientist's home village. Normally Aman takes about four and a half months from seedbed to harvest, which takes place in Agrahayan.

Rasel Mia said the 30 decimals yielded 14 maunds with no unfilled grain, and farmers who saw it want to grow it next season. Good rice can be produced in a short time, he said.

Australia-based geneticist Abed Chowdhury said his varieties are named Kanihati 1 to 16 after his village. During Aus, rice was harvested three times from the same plot, and with proper care and little fertiliser three harvests are possible; a fourth crop has now come from that land. Growing rice this way all year would give good yields, he said.

Source: Bangla Tribune. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.