The scientists of Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Bogra and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute have jointly invented the water saving varieties recently under a yearlong project titled "Development and Dissemination of Water Saving Rice Technology in South Asia."

International Rice Research Institute initiated the project assisted by the Asian Development Bank.

RDA Director General (in-charge) Mohammad Ferdous Alam hoped that apart from water, energy and power uses would also come down once cultivation of the newly innovated varieties starts.

"It would require a year more to initiate cultivation of the new varieties. By this time we will identify which varieties will be more beneficial for cultivation in which localities," he added.

Project Coordinator AKM Zakaria, also RDA deputy director, said currently five tonnes of water is used to produce a kg of paddy. "The country will face water crisis in a few years if water is used at the current rate," Zakaria told The Daily Star.

He said Bangladesh uses five times the water India spends to produce one kg of paddy.

The RDA official said the new varieties were cultivated at Patnitola and Shapahar upazilas in Naogaon, Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah, Sherpur and Sadar upazilas in Bogra and Ghoraghat upazila in Dinajpur during the research period on test basis.

"We have found about 33 to 50 percent water could be saved for the newly invented varieties," he added.

He also said among the 93, there are a few varieties which could be harvested in 120 to 130 days. Normally it takes 150 days, added the RDA official.

Zakaria said five South Asian countries would also initiate cultivation of the new varieties innovated by the Bangladeshi scientists.