Southeast Bangladesh sees successful cultivation of diabetes-friendly rice

The southeast regions of Bangladesh have seen the successful cultivation of BRRI-105 rice, which has low carbohydrates and is suitable for diabetes patients. 

Agricultural scientists claim that this rice will play a positive role in the country's economy in the future.

BRRI-105 is a high-yielding variety and its seeds can be produced and preserved by the farmers themselves. 

As a result, the farmers will not have to depend on other countries or any company for their cultivation.

They are also becoming interested in this paddy cultivation due to irrigation and pesticide applications.

This paddy, characteristically, is different from all varieties of rice cultivated in the country with medium-long and thin rice grains.

Sheikh Manjur Rahman, a farmer in Dumuria upazila, said it takes 148 days from sowing to harvesting this variety of paddy. 

It can be cultivated wherever there is a favorable environment for the Boro season. 

Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Insad Ibne Amin said the paddy is suitable for the southwestern region and its yield per hectare has been found higher in experimental cultivation than other paddy varieties.

Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, director general of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, said the amount of carbohydrates in BRRI Dhan-105 is comparatively low and that is why it is being called “diabetic rice”. 

There is a huge demand for this rice commercially at home and abroad, he added.