Field observations and farmer-driven insights from 100+ farmers during two field days help shape the scaling and distribution of two promising hybrid rice varieties in Bangladesh.
BHALUKA and PIRGANI, Bangladesh (May 2025) — Two IRRI-supported field days placed farmers at the heart of hybrid rice evaluation, showcasing high-performing varieties and generating real-world insights for seed system development and scaling.
Held on May 08 and 10, 2025, the field days were organized in collaboration with Lal Teer Seed Ltd. (LTSL) and ISPAHANI Agro Ltd. (IAL) and facilitated under IRRI Bangladesh’s Seed System Initiative. The two field days showcased two promising hybrids—Lal Teer Hybrid dhan3 and ISPAHANI Hybrid dhan9—through on-farm demonstrations and participatory discussions.
More than 100 farmers, seed dealers, and stakeholders evaluated varietal traits such as grain quality, pannicle density, yield potential, and resilience to pests. The “Seeing is Believing” model enabled farmers to observe and vote on varietal performance in real field conditions, strengthening IRRI’s approach to inclusive, evidence-based decision-making.
“Putting farmers at the center of varietal selection ensures better adoption, higher returns, and local relevance,” said Dr. Md. Sirajul Islam, Chief of Party, IRRI Bangladesh. “Both hybrids performed strongly, and farmers’ feedback is critical for refining and scaling these technologies.”
In Bhaluka, Mymensingh District, farmers observed Lal Teer Hybrid dhan3’s attractive medium fine grain, uniform pannicle structure (18–24 cm), and spikelet number (180–210). Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossai, LTSL General Manager for Rice, remarked that, “Our partnership with IRRI is validating our pipeline with real-time farmer feedback. The Bhaluka event will guide our next distribution strategy.”
In Pirganj, Rangpur District, ISPAHANI Hybrid dhan9 drew attention for its bold golden grains, high spikelet density (300–350), and adaptability to Boro and Late Boro seasons. MD. Delwar Hossain, IAL Deputy General Manager, said that, “ISPAHANI 9 not only meets market demand but is now competing successfully against other commercial varieties. We are pleased that it has shown strong performance with farmers in the field.”
Both varieties offer high yield potential—up to 10 tons/ha with crop durations of 140–145 days and strong market traits. The participatory field days, including rallies, sample cuts, and open discussions, offered farmers a platform to voice their thoughts and preferences and provided IRRI with critical field-level data.
Moving forward, LTSL and IAL aim to scale up seed production and dealer networks. IRRI will continue providing technical support in varietal positioning, demand forecasting, and farmer training. These efforts are part of IRRI’s broader goal to accelerate climate-smart, farmer-preferred varietal turnover.
Dr. Saidul Islam, Lead Specialist, Seed Systems and Product Management, and Md. Abdur Rahim, Associate Scientist, Seed Sector Development, IRRI Bangladesh, coordinated both field days. The field days were conducted under IRRI’s research and development work within the Feed the Future Initiative, aimed at improving food security and farmer resilience through science-based innovations and sustainable partnerships. These collaborative platforms reflect IRRI’s commitment to farmer-centered seed systems, bridging scientific insight with ground-level realities
