Adoption Trend of Climate-Resilient Rice Varieties in Bangladesh

Abstract

Rice is a major crop in Bangladesh that supports both food security and livelihoods. However, a need remains for improved productivity and adaptation to the risks associated with climate change. To accomplish this, the increased adoption of climate-resilient and high-yielding rice varieties can be beneficial. Therefore, we conducted a study in Bangladesh over three consecutive years: 2016, 2017, and 2018. The scope of the study included the major cropping season (wet), Aman. The yield advantages of climate-resilient rice varieties were evaluated and compared with those of the varieties popular with farmers. We included new stress-tolerant varieties, such as submergence-tolerant rice (BRRI dhan51 and BRRI dhan52) and drought-tolerant rice (BRRI dhan56 and BRRI dhan71), along with farmer-chosen controls, in the study. We conducted the evaluation through on-farm trials to compare the varieties in both submergence- and drought-affected environments. The seasonal trials provided measured results of yield advantages. The participating farmers were also studied over the three-year-period to capture their varietal adoption rates. We calculated both the location estimated yield advantages (LEYA) and the location observed yield advantages (LOYA). The results revealed that, under non-stress conditions, the grain yields of climate-resilient varieties were either statistically similar to or higher than those of the farmer-chosen controls. Our study also revealed a year-to-year progressive adoption rate for the introduced varieties. The study suggests that the wide-scale introduction and popularization of climate-resilient varieties can ensure higher productivity and climate risk adaptation. The close similarity between LOYA and LEYA indicated that the observational and experiential conclusions of the host farmers were similar to the scientific performance of the varieties. We also found that comparison performed through on-farm trials was a critical method for enhancing experiential learning and obtaining an accurate estimation of yield advantages.

Dealer-customer partnership in rice production demonstration: Assessment of private extension system in Bangladesh

“…Specifically in southern Bangladesh, BRRI dhan51 and BRRI dhan52 are among the highly adopted rice varieties for the wet season and demonstrated a higher market acceptance rate in the mid-level of the value chain for their medium bold grain and increased consumer demand [ 10 ]. Also in Sylhet (northeast), Chapai Nawabganj (west) and Cox's Bazar (south) these rice varieties have a yield advantage, which made them the highly adopted climate-resilient varieties in these regions [ 11 ]. Though these varieties take slightly longer to get to maturity farmers often prefer to cultivate them because of their medium bold grain and submergence tolerance capacity of up to 15 days [ 11 ].…”

“…Also in Sylhet (northeast), Chapai Nawabganj (west) and Cox's Bazar (south) these rice varieties have a yield advantage, which made them the highly adopted climate-resilient varieties in these regions [ 11 ]. Though these varieties take slightly longer to get to maturity farmers often prefer to cultivate them because of their medium bold grain and submergence tolerance capacity of up to 15 days [ 11 ].…”

Optimizing quantitative trait loci introgression in elite rice germplasms: Comparing methods and population sizes to develop new recipients via stochastic simulations

“…A major revolution in the speed and effectiveness of breeding for major crops is required. Therefore, many initiatives have increased genetic gains to 2.4% or higher (Ladha et al, 2021; Nayak et al, 2022). These initiatives emphasize mechanisms to reduce the breeding cycle time, increase selection accuracy and intensity and so on.…”

Optimizing QTL introgression via stochastic simulations: an example of the IRRI rice breeding program

“…Therefore, many initiatives have increased genetic gains to 2.4% or higher (Ladha et al 2021;Nayak et al 2022). These initiatives emphasize mechanisms to reduce the breeding cycle time, increase selection accuracy, increase selection intensity, etc.…”