BRRI Dhan-103 is rapidly transforming the Aman season in Cumilla. With higher yield, fluffy cooked rice, and longer straw, this new variety is gaining momentum across the district. Farmers are now showing unprecedented interest, especially in Debidwar, where over 600 hectares are already under cultivation.
Last year, the variety was planted on just over 100 hectares in the entire district. This year, it has surpassed the 1,000-hectare mark. Farmers report over 8 tons of yield per hectare, compared to 6 tons from conventional varieties. The grains are slender, the rice remains soft after cooking, and the straw is ideal for cattle fodder.
In Bagmara village, Abdul Kader cultivated the variety on 60 shatak of land and achieved excellent results. Local farmers are now flocking to his home for seeds. Due to shortages, he’s providing only half of what each farmer requests. Rafiqul Islam in Kabilpur harvested more than 2 tons from just one acre and plans to follow up with potato cultivation.
Debidwar Agriculture Officer Banin Roy said they began promoting this variety two years ago with just 10 kg of seeds. With strong field results, the Department of Agricultural Extension and BRRI scaled up the distribution this year. Local demand has surged as farmers realize its multiple benefits.
Dr. Ekhlasur Rahman from the Cumilla Regional Rice Research Institute noted that today’s farmers consider not just yield, but taste, crop duration, and straw quantity before choosing a variety. He says this is exactly why BRRI Dhan-103 is now in high demand.
With its promising output, short harvest time, and multiple by-products, BRRI Dhan-103 is on track to become the new standard in Cumilla’s rice farming landscape.
