Participatory varietal evaluation to replace old mega variety with newly developed superior varieties in rice

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and other rice research organization released more than 115 inbred rice varieties but still old mega varieties i.e. BR11, Swarna, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29 are dominating in farmers’ field. Most of these varieties were susceptible to different diseases and insects and causing lower yield performance than their potentiality. To replace those mega varieties with newly developed superior one BRRI- Private partners- IRRI Bangladesh- DAE jointly planned to evaluate newly developed four superior varieties i.e. BRRI dhan58, BRRI dhan63, BRRI dhan67 and BRRI dhan74 along with BRRI dhan28; to create data and popularize among farmers of all over the country in 2017-18 Boro season. Total 400 trials were conducted all over the country among them 15 on-farm trials were conducted in Chattogram, Feni and Noakhali district of Bangladesh with active participation of farmers and DAE personnel monitored IRRI staffs from Feni. Among the tested varieties BRRI dhan74 produced the highest grain yield followed by BRRI dhan67,BRRI dhan63, BRRI dhan58 and BRRI dhan28 produced the lowest. But BRRI dhan67 got the highest preference scores from farmers’ due to its shorter growth duration, resistance to lodging, less disease and insect infestation, medium slender grains whereas due to bold grain type the BRRI dhan74 got second preference score. They were expressed their opinion to cultivate BRRI dhan67, BRRI dhan74 and BRRIdhan63 in the following years instead of BRRI dhan28. The neighboring farmers were also motivated to cultivate the newer varieties rather than BRRI dhan28 by collecting seeds from the participating farmers.