Khorshed Alam, Sherpur 

Sherpur Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Farida Yasmin paid an official visit to inspect 25 innovative varieties of paddy developed independently by local farmer Sentu Kumar Hajong in Nalitabari Upazila.

On Friday , the District Commissioner visited the experimental paddy fields at Chandkuria village under Noyabil Union in Nalitabari Upazila, where Sentu Hajong is cultivating 25 distinct rice varieties, including 22 Aman season strains. During the visit, DC Farida Yasmin interacted with Sentu Hajong to inquire about his breeding techniques, field experiences, and agricultural contributions.

According to district administration sources, Sentu Kumar Hajong, whose formal education extends up to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level, initially received basic agricultural orientation from a local non-governmental organization. She subsequently completed a 10-day specialized training course on plant breeding conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA). 

The paddy strains developed by Sentu Hajong exhibit notable diversity in grain size, color, yield potential, and plant structure. While some varieties feature fine, slender grains, others yield bolder kernels. The grain hues range from golden yellow to distinctive reddish-black tones, showcasing significant genetic diversity.

Commending the initiative, she  remarked that through scientific evaluation and field expansion, Sentu Hajong's innovations could unlock new prospects for Bangladeshi agriculture. She reaffirmed the district administration's commitment to supporting grassroots agricultural innovation to drive local economic growth and food security.

Agricultural experts noted that encouraging local-level farming innovations can accelerate crop diversification, enhance yield productivity, and support national agricultural research.