Identification and Evaluation of BRRI Developed Saline Tolerant Rice Varieties As Adopted By the Farmers of South Western Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to identify of BRRI developed saline tolerant rice varieties as well as to determine the extent of adoption of BRRI developed rice varieties as practiced by the farmers of Tala Upazila under Satkhira district and to evaluate the performance of identified BRRI developed saline tolerant rice varieties. Attempts were also taken to describe some of the selected characteristics of the saline tolerant rice farmers and their relationship with their extent of adoption of BRRI developed saline tolerant rice varieties. Data were obtained from randomly selected 100 farmers of selected 7 villages from six unions of Tala Upazila in Satkhira district through personal interview using an interview schedule during July 2011 to June 2012. The farmers of the study area adopted/practiced two saline tolerant rice varieties namely BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 47 in Aman and Boro season respectively. Majority (68%) of the respondents practiced BRRI dhan 47 followed by BRRI dhan 41 (36%) and only a few (4%) cultivated both BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 47. Three-fourth (75%) of the respondents had medium adoption and 22% high adoption and 03% had low adoption of BRRI developed saline tolerant rice varieties. The performance of the identified saline tolerant rice varieties were determined in terms of yield (t/ha), net return (Tk. /ha) and quality. Both BRRI dhan 41 (4.34t/ha) and 47 (5.87t/ha) showed good performance from yield point of view but BRRI dhan 47 shown better performance over BRRI dhan 41. Most (94%) of the respondents got medium (BDT 10001-30000) to high (>BDT 30000) return by cultivating BRRI developed saline tolerant varieties (BRRI dhan 41 and 47). Though most (94%) of the respondents said both BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 47 are very fine but apparently BRRI dhan 47 was better than that of BRRI dhan 41. Both BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 47 are not usually aromatic. But from farmer’s points of view BRRI dhan 47 is apparently little bit aromatic than BRRI dhan 41. BRRI dhan 41 is longer in size than that of BRRI dhan 47. Both BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 47 are very good in taste. Among the 12 selected characteristics of the respondents, educational qualification, extension media contact and agricultural knowledge showed a positive significant relationship. On the other hand training exposure showed a negative significant relationship with their extent of adoption of BRRI developed saline tolerant varieties.