CITIZEN CHARTER OF RARS, ISHURDI, BANGLADESH

CITIZEN CHARTER

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi

(Dr. Md. Abul Khayer Mian)

1. Collection, Characterization, Preservation and Development of varieties of BARI mandate crops.

2. Development of improved and sustainable production technologies of wheat, maize, barley, millet, oil seeds, pulses, vegetables and fruits.

3. Development of insect and disease resistant variety of crops.

4. Development of drought and heat tolerant variety of crops.

5. Adaptive research at charland of adverse ecosystem.

6. Block demonstration of different technologies especially of varieties at farmers’ field.

7. Demonstration of technologies through BARI Technology Village (BTV).

8. Arrange of field days and training on different technologies.

9. Advisory services to farmers and relevant personnel for solving the problems on crop production.

10. Exchanges of knowledge and ideas with the visitors of home and abroad.

11. Student of different universities, colleges and schools experienced on

research activities of RARS.

12. Distribution of seeds and seedlings of vegetables and fruits occasionally to the farmers.

13. Monitoring of farmers’ field and providing solution of the problems.

14. Serve through dynamic website www.bari.gov.bd of BARI.

Source: RARS, BARI, Ishurdi 6620, Pabna, Bangladesh.

Activities, Achievements and future Programme of Research at RARS, Ishurdi

Activities, Achievements and future Programme of Research at RARS, Ishurdi
Dr. Md. Abul Khayer Mian, RARS, Ishurdi

Introduction
Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) is an important research station of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Conduction of research on regional agricultural problems of the north-western parts of Bangladesh is the main task of the station. Moreover, research on national agricultural problems is also persued here. Pulse Research Centre (PRC) adjunct to RARS conducts research on pluses crops. Branches of Wheat Research Centre (WRC), Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Oil seed Research Centre (ORC) and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) carried out their research at RARS. Plant breeding division of RARS is involved in varietal development of BARI mandate crops. Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology and Pathology are also the main divisions for crop, soil and pest management. A glimpse of Activities, Achievements and future Programmes of Research at RARS, Ishurdi are highlighted as follows.

Activities and Achievements
Different lines of wheat and maize supplied from CIMMYT are evaluated at this station. This station was involved in developing BARI Hybrid maize 5 and BARI Hybrid maize 7. BARI Hybrid maize 5 is reach in high quality protein. Regional yield trial of newly developed two wheat varieties named BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 was performed here. These two varieties are heat tolerant to some extent and suitable for late sowing. BARI Potal 1 and BARI Potal 2 were developed from Horticulture division of this station. Germplasm of 19 hybrid pointed gourd lines are evaluated and 2 hybrid pointed gourd varieties will be released within one year. BARI Batabi labu 4 and BARI bagun 6 were developed from this station. Germplasm of papaya are evaluating and new variety can be release in hurry. Research is also going with banana and plantain germplasms for developing varieties. We can enjoy the success very soon.

PRC has developed 30 varieties of different pulses till now. Among them, 9 are chickpea, 7 are lentil, 6 are mungbean, 3 are blackgram, 3 are lathyrus and 2 are cowpea varieties. BARI mosur-6 is stemphylum blight resistant and widely spread. BARI mung 6 is an excellent variety and widely adopted mainly in the western parts of Bangladesh from greater Jessore to Dinajpur. Recently, one chickpea, one lentil and one lathyrus varieties are released. The new variety of BARI Chola 9 is tolerant to pod borer and botrytis grey mould (BGM). The new variety of BARI mosur 7 is stemphylum blight resistant and suitable for late sowing. Neurotoxin content is low in BARI Khesary 3 of lathyrus. Insecticide named Lamda-syahallothrin (Carata 2.5 EC) spray can control pod borer of chickpea and fungicide of ruvral (50WP) spray can control stemphylum blight of lentil at fogy weather. Scientists are trying to develop short duration lentil variety for fitting lentil in between T.aman and boro rice cropping pattern. Some short duration lines of lentil are still under observation for releasing as variety. This station was involved in developing BARI Sarisha 9, BARI Sarisha 14 and BARI sarisha 15. These varieties (75-80 days) are suitable for fitting in between T.aman and boro rice cropping pattern. BARI til 6 is a good variety and suitable for drought tolerance. It can be grown under rainfed condition as well as in charland. Scientist of PGRC is working for collection, evaluation and characterization of germplasms of different crops, mainly of BARI mandate crops. About 2879 germplasms of different crops have been collected till now. This collection will be helpful for future research on varietal development.

Agronomy division works on crop management. Technology on garlic cultivation under zero tillage mulched condition after T. aman rice has been developed. Intercropping of Mukhikachu+Mungbean is a profitable technology. After harvesting of pods incorporation of mungbean residue can improve soil health. Pointed gourd+ red amaranth/spinach+ turmeric/ginger is a highly productive and profitable intercropping. It can provide 2 times higher productivity over sole cropping and earning of Tk. 2.0-2.5 lakh/ha as net return. In adaptive research, BARI Sarisha 11, BARI Sarisha 14, BARI Sarisha 15, BARI Sarisha 16, BARI mosur 6, wheat varieties of Prodip, Shatabdi, Bijoy and Sufi were found suitable for rainfed cultivation at charland. Researches are also going in relevant to the climate change. In a screening of mungbean in Agronomy division, advanced lines of BMX 01007, BMX01015 and BMX 90009-6 are found suitable for drought tolerance. Research are persuing for quantify the effect of temperature and other weather elements on mungbean, lentil and Wheat. Research on development of yield model of wheat is running on. Research from soil science division revealed that long term effect of residue incorporation of mungbean in Wheat-Mungbean-T.aman rice and Mustard-Mungbean-T.aman rice cropping pattern increased organic mater about 0.15% and reduced alkalinity of soil. Moreover, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur and Znic showed positive balance in soil indicating sustainable soil fertility. Non judicious and un-controlled application of pesticides is harmful for human health and environment. Now, research is going on controlling pests with non-chemical or botanical pesticides. Application of trichoderma compost (1 t/ha) can control root rot of cabbage and cauliflower. Combined use of biofertilizer and mychoriza can control root rot of lentil and chickpea. It also can control root nodules of tomato caused by nematode. Neem oil can control white fly which is the vector of leaf curl virus of tomato. Application of bavistin, neem oil and furadan 5G can control witling of banana. Research on litchi cracking and nut weevil of jujube are leading to solve the problems. Primarily identified that irregular application of fungicides and growth regulators caused litchi cracking. Spray of cypermethrin at flowering and initiation of fruiting stage can control the nut weevil of jujube.

Other activities related to research
Performance of different technologies is demonstrated in the farmers’ field for quick dissemination. Field days and trainings are organized for the same purpose. Demonstration on different technologies is also executed at BARI Technology Village. About 3-5 t/ha breeder seeds are supplied annually to the BADC for seed multiplication. A few amounts of seeds are directly distributed to farmers by the scientists. Seedlings of different vegetables and fruits are occasionally distributed to the farmers. Advisory services are provided to the farmers and related personnels on agricultural problems. The station exchanges knowledge and ideas with visitors of home and abroad. Students of different universities, colleges and schools experienced on activities of RARS during their excursion tours here.

Future research
New research is thrusting for developing technologies for adaptation of crop production under adverse climatic condition along with the traditional research. Development of heat tolerant and drought tolerant crop varieties for adverse ecosystem are the attempts of future research. Development of insect and disease resistant crop varieties is trying. Research programme are also formulated and executed based on the regional problems coming from extension personnels, farmers or experienced from scientists during working at field level. Recently, biotechnological research is started at PRC in collaboration with Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute. In 1981, the station got the highest National Award “President’s Gold Medal” for its significant contribution towards National Agricultural Development.

Conclusion
Scientists of RARS are working sincerely in spite of some physical and financial constrains. They need more facilities than at present for better contribution to agriculture and food production of the country. Therefore, they need proper facilities to conduct higher research cope with the advancement of other agricultural developed countries.