Staff Reporter :
Dr. Abed Chowdhury, an expatriate Bangladeshi scientist from Australia, has garnered praise for his groundbreaking invention of ‘Panchabrihi’ rice, hailed as a significant achievement for Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
Dhaka University Pro-VC Prof. Dr. Sitesh Chandra Bachar, commended the innovation, emphasising its potential to address the country’s food security challenges. Speaking at a seminar titled “Panchabrihi Multi-harvest Rice: A Pathway to Food Security and Climate Migration,” organised by DU’s Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Freedom Foundation (BFF), Prof. Bachar underscored the importance of the ‘five-yield-a-year’ rice variety in meeting the growing food demand of the nation.
Prof. Bachar highlighted the pressing concerns of population growth coupled with shrinking arable land, exacerbated by the effects of climate change and the limitations of traditional single-yield rice production. He warned of potential food crises in the future if proactive measures are not taken.
He further emphasised the significance of research and innovation, emphasising their pivotal role in addressing the looming food security challenges.
Prof. Bachar expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts between Dhaka University, the government, and relevant institutions, including DU’s CARS, in advancing research initiatives aimed at ensuring food security and sustainability.
Prof. Bachar expressed optimism and said, “The people of Bangladesh would reap significant benefits from this revolutionary invention. The ‘Panchabrihi’ rice variant, capable of producing yields five times a year from the same plant, represents a remarkable advancement in agricultural technology.”
“Unlike traditional practices where farmers must uproot and replant new seeds during the Aus season and subsequently repeat the process during the Amon season, the ‘Panchabrihi’ offers a transformative solution. Farmers can now achieve five harvests in a single year, starting with a Boro season followed by two Aus and two Amon seasons, all without the need for extensive replanting,” added the professor.
The seminar, chaired by CARS director Professor Dr. Istaik M. Sayed, provided a platform to showcase the potential of the ‘Panchabrihi’ rice. Dr. Abed Chowdhury, the mastermind behind the invention, delivered the keynote address, elucidating the groundbreaking features and implications of the rice variant.
Special guests, including Member of Parliament (MP) Safiul Alam Chowdhury and former education secretary Md. Nazrul Islam Khan, graced the event with their presence. Their attendance underscored the significance of this innovative solution in addressing the challenges facing Bangladesh’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security for its populace.
