Rice is the backbone of Bangladesh’s food system, contributing more than 70% of national calorie intake and supporting the livelihoods of over 13 million farming households. Over the years, agricultural research has improved rice productivity through modern varieties and farming technologies. Today, as climate change intensifies and consumer preferences evolve, breeding programs are developing climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, and market-responsive rice varieties.

However, developing improved varieties alone is not enough. Ensuring that the right seeds and technologies reach farmers at the right time remains a major challenge. Although Bangladesh has developed more than 150 rice varieties, adoption is still limited by weak research-extension linkages, fragmented input supply systems, limited localized evidence, and gaps in seed delivery and knowledge dissemination.

At the same time, rice production systems are under increasing pressure from drought, salinity, flooding, heat stress, erratic rainfall, and rising labor and irrigation costs. Traditional puddled transplanted rice (PTR) systems are becoming less economically viable and environmentally sustainable under these conditions.

To address these challenges, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), together with the Government of Bangladesh, NARES institutions, and development partners, has been promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations. These include climate-resilient rice varieties, Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR), Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), efficient nutrient management, mechanization, and digital decision-support tools.