Bangladesh requires approximately 700,000 metric tons of lentils annually, with around 65% of this demand being met through imports.
However, a breakthrough in agricultural research by the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has introduced high-yield lentil varieties, BINA Lentil-8 and BINA Lentil-9, which could significantly reduce import dependence.
Compared to traditional local varieties, these new lentil types offer double the yield. If their cultivation spreads nationwide, Bangladesh could dramatically lower its reliance on imported lentils, conserving valuable foreign currency while meeting the country’s protein needs.
During a field visit to West Ramnagar village in Magura Sadar, vast lentil fields cultivated with BINA Lentil-8 and 9 were observed.
Veteran farmer Moksed Mondal pioneered the cultivation of these varieties after facing losses with local lentils.
After acquiring seeds from BINA’s Magura sub-center a few years ago, he achieved success and shared his seeds with hundreds of local farmers.
Local farmers, including Hasan Mollah and Nupur Khatun, reported that BINA Lentil-8 and 9 yield nearly double the output of traditional varieties.
While conventional lentils produce only five to six maunds per bigha, BINA Lentils can produce 10 to 12 maunds per bigha. The varieties’ resistance to drought and diseases has made them highly profitable, attracting more farmers.
Dr. Md. Yasin Ali, Deputy Director of the Magura Agriculture Extension Department, highlighted that Bangladesh produces only 200,000 to 250,000 metric tons of lentils annually, requiring the government to spend at least 6 billion taka on imports.
To reduce this dependence, the government has been organizing farmer training programs.
Dr. Sushan Chauhan, Senior Scientific Officer and in-charge of BINA’s Magura sub-center, stated that 50 demonstration plots, covering 50 bighas of land, have been set up in Magura to promote BINA Lentil-8 and 9. The initiative aims to popularize these high-yield varieties among farmers nationwide.
On Monday afternoon, a Farmer’s Field Day was held in West Ramnagar village to promote these lentils.
The event was organized by BINA’s Magura sub-center with the support of the Department of Agricultural Extension under the BINA Research Strengthening Project.
Dr. Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of BINA, addressed the event virtually as the chief guest, while special guests included BINA’s Principal Scientific Officer Dr. Md. Mahbubul Alam Torofdar, Dr. Muhammad Ashiqur Rahman, and Magura Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Humayun Kabir.
Experts believe that the widespread adoption of BINA Lentil-8 and 9, backed by advanced technology and research, will play a crucial role in meeting domestic demand while saving foreign exchange.
