Md. Ohidur Rahman from Netrokona.
BARCIK and Tushai Par farmers’ organization, of Netrokona recently organized a “Local Rice Varieties Researchers’ Exchange Meeting” at Rameshwarpur BARCIK’s training centre where 12 farmer-researchers from Sadupara in Tarakanda, Mymensingh; Ashujia in Kendua, Netrokona; Durgashram and Rameshwarpur in Atpara; Bishwanathpur, Kailati, Moujebali, Bamnamuha in Sadar; and Chandrodinga in Kalmakanda participated.
The session was chaired by Sayed Ahmed Khan Bacchu, a farmer researcher and chairman of the People’s Organization Coordination Committee in Netrakona. The event brought together farmers from the Netrakona region who are involved in research, cultivatation, collecting, and conserving local rice varieties.
Farmer-researchers who participated in the event included Abul Kalam, Abdul Hakim, Abdul Kadir, Abdul Bari, Shamsuzzaman, young farmer Enamul Khan, indigenous farmers Tapas Hajong and Ujjal Hajong, Abdul Wadud Khan, Nurul Islam, and Sayed Ahmed Khan Bacchu.
Abdul Hakim from Netrakona who invented Hekim rice, known after his name, said, ‘I discovered Hekim Rice and today around 900 farmers are currently cultivating the Hekim rice variety.’ Abul Kalam from Kendua said, ‘The Malshira rice variety I selected is now cultivated by people in 13 villages across seven sub-districts in two districts (Netrakona and Mymensingh.’
Farmer Sayed Ahmed Khan Bacchu stated, ‘Our seed resources are now trapped in company packets. We cannot hand over our seed resources to companies. We must spread and shared these varieties among all farmers and bring back our seed rights into our hands.’
It is to be mentioned that local rice research activities, led by farmers, began in the Netrokona region in 2005. From the research, selected rice varieties are conserved and expanded, and the program now operates across 49 villages. Farmers are selecting, cultivating, and conserving their preferred rice varieties. So far, farmers have independently cultivated 63 rice varieties, including Malshira, Hekim Dhan, Kheksiyaal, Kabundulan, Ratishail, Bishali Binni, Subash, Aagam Shail, Tulshimala, Garobinni, Yor Chal, Laxmibilash, Sohag, Chinishail, Aijong, Birai, Rahamat, Bashful, Sonali Pajam, Bhola Nath, Bharat, Chinighura, Satin, Ritupajam, Khainal, Khama, Gachi, Lafa, Badshabhog, Kumri, Sadakumri, Katarivog, Fulbain, Kadidit, Sylhet Balam, Khai Sabinni, Bidraj, Jasmine, Puita Aijong, and Agondhepi etc.