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Introduction
BRRI
is a major component of the National Agricultural Research
System (NARS) of Bangladesh, dealing with research and development
in relation to rice production, the staple food for our
people. The institute, formerly known as the East Pakistan
Rice Research Institute (EPRRI), was established on October
1, 1970 at Joydebpur, a small township 36 km north
of the capital city Dhaka. After the independence in
1971, the institute was renamed as the 'Bangladesh Rice
Research Institute (BRRI)' through the Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute Act, 1973 (Act X of 1973). Presently, in accordance
with the provisions of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
(Amendment) Act, 1996 (Act V of 1996), a
Board of Management holds full responsibility
to determine the policies and undertakings of the institute
within the framework of policy directives issued by the
Government of Bangladesh. The Director General, who is,
ex officio, the Chairman of the Board of Management,
is the executive head of the institute. The institute operates
with 18 research divisions, 3 support service divisions
and 8 sections, with a total manpower
of 676, of them, 238 are scientists. About one third of
the scientists are highly trained professionals with MS
and PhD degrees.
The rice-growing environments in Bangladesh are very
diverse, varying from the drought-prone high lands in the
north-west through the flood-affected central region to
the coastal saline zone in the south. This diversity is
indicated by the thirty major agroecological zones
(AEZ) into which the country has been divided on the basis
of land, soil, hydrology and climate. This diversity in
the rice-growing environments makes the task of BRRI scientists
all the more challenging. Researches for the development
of new rice varieties and production technologies for the
diverse ecosystems existing in Bangladesh are conducted
at the BRRI main station at Gazipur and at
nine
regional stations
situated in Comilla, Habiganj, Sonagazi
of Feni, Bhanga of Faridpur, Barisal, Rajshahi,
Rangpur, Kushtia and Satkhira districts.
The institute is equipped with modern research facilities
that include laboratories, greenhouses and experimental
fields. BRRI has a modern germplasm bank, eight major laboratories,
three greenhouses, four net houses and a 45-ha experimental
farm at its headquarter at Gazipur. Besides, seven of the
nine regional stations also have reasonably good research
facilities, particularly at field Levels Research facilities
at the two newly established regional stations at Kushtia
and Satkhira are yet to be developed.
BRRI
breeders deviated from the original IRRI concept of dwarfism
for high yield and restructured the IR8 plant type to suit
local agro-ecology and socio-economic production environment.
The new intermediate-height plant gives equally high yield
and, at the same time, grows in uncontrolled water better
than the semi-dwarf varieties. Bangladeshi farmers also
prefer tall plants to produce cattle feed and roofing materials.
MISSION Improvement of rice and development of rice production technologies for sustainable food security.
VISION
1. Producing more and quality rice at
lower cost through genetic improvement
2. Sustain biodiversity, quality and managing disease,
insect, fertilizer, water and land for
current and future generation
3. Improving institutional capacity for advance research
And to develop new innovations for the reduction of poverty
and hunger in the country.
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