Aromatic rice, sweet scent of success

Chinigura, kalijira, kataribhog, nenia and basmati: to connoisseurs the mere mention of these aromatic rice varieties is enough to make them hungry. For North Bengal's farmers the same variety list conjures not only the idea of delectable cuisine but also, increasingly, cash. Add to that the most popular aromatic variety of all: the high-yield Brri dhan-34 strain developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. With high sales prices and suitable geography, aromatic rice farming across the north is flourishing.

“Aromatic rice is more lucrative than the usual aman varieties,” says Fazal Huq, a paddy farmer from Pushna village in Nilphamari's Kishoreganj upazila. “Aromatic rice can produce 2.7 tonnes per hectare to sell for around Tk 1.22 lakh. Aman will produce 3.6 tonnes per hectare, which sells for approximately Tk 86,000.”

“Varieties like Brri dhan-34 can be transplanted to the field as late as mid-September,” says another enthusiastic farmer, Sufal Chandra from Harialkuti village in Rangpur's Taraganj upazila. “That means the monsoon downpours of July and August can't ruin the crop as sometimes happens with aman paddy.”

“It's easy to sell aromatic rice crops,” notes Abu Bakkar Siddik, a farmer from Balapara village in Nilphamari Sadar upazila. “Quite a few companies search it out. They have village agents to buy from our doorsteps.”

It's not only farmers who are impressed by the characteristics of aromatic rice. Experts agree that for the northern region, such varieties are a winner.

“We can hardly think of having a festival or celebratory meal without such types of rice,” says the Department of Agriculture Extension's regional Additional Director Shah Alam. “The demand is there. We advise farmers to use organic fertiliser which preserves that tell-tale scent and taste. We can also help them to implement the best grain processing methods to maximise their profits.”

“The prospect of producing more export-quality aromatic rice in this region is very bright,” says Md Moniruzzaman, the department's deputy director for the Rangpur region. “Farmers are interested in crop diversification. With the right technological approach, aromatic rice farming can be highly profitable.”

“The alluring scent and mouth-watering taste that result in high prices both domestically and abroad offer good incentive for farmers to grow aromatic rice,” remarks Mesbahul Islam, a horticulture specialist with the department. “The Rangpur region has suitable irrigation resources and favourable land conditions to support these crops.”

This season has seen 13,779 hectares across the northern region devoted to aromatic rice strains, which is an increase of 762 hectares from the previous season. Given the suitability for cultivation and profit potential of these crops, it's not difficult to foresee continued production growth.