Rice enriched with protein: A new breakthrough in Bangladesh agriculture

To achieve self-sufficiency in nutrition sector, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has developed a new rice variety, BINA-26, which is enriched with protein and amylose.

According to Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, senior scientific officer and acting in-charge of BINA's Gopalganj Sub-Center, BINA-26 contains 26.4% amylose and 9.4 milligrams more protein compared to traditional rice varieties. This high-yielding rice variety is resistant to bacterial leaf blight and less prone to pest and disease attacks than conventional varieties.  

"This year, BINA-26 was cultivated in 10 demonstration plots in Gopalganj, yielding an impressive 6.25 metric tons per hectare," said Dr. Kamruzzaman. He added that the variety matures within 115 days, allowing farmers to grow multiple crops annually.  

Saurav Adhikari, another scientist at BINA, highlighted that BINA Dhan-26 is Bangladesh�s first protein-enriched rice variety. He emphasized its potential to combat malnutrition, saying, "This rice can significantly address the protein deficiency in our population and contribute to improved public health."  

Farmers are already witnessing the benefits of this new variety. Nadira Begum, a farmer from Bashabari village in Gopalganj, shared her experience, saying, "Last year, I grew a local rice variety and harvested only 2 metric tons per hectare. This year, I switched to BINA-26 and harvested 6.25 metric tons per hectare�more than three times the yield. Its short growing period also allows me to plant vegetables and boro rice in the same field, increasing my yearly harvest." 

The success of BINA-26 has generated interest among neighboring farmers, eager to adopt this high-yield and nutritionally rich rice variety.  

Mafroza Akter, Agriculture Officer of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, expressed optimism about its potential, stating, "This rice provides both high protein content and carbohydrates, making it a nutritional powerhouse. We are working to expand the cultivation of BINA-26 rice varieties in Gopalganj to maximize both farmers' profits and public health benefits."  

Agriculture exparts think that the introduction of BINA-26 marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh's agricultural progress, addressing the dual goals of increasing food production and improving nutritional standards.