Maize-rice cropping systems in Bangladesh: status and research opportunities

Abstract

Responding to demand from expanding poultry feed markets, maize area in Bangladesh rose from only a few thousand hectares in the 1980s to more than 200,000 hectares in 2007-08. This publication describes the rise of maize in Bangladesh, emerging problems or risks, technology options for rice-maize systems, and future research and development needs. It also outlines the role of CIMMYT, through its Bangladesh office, in the establishment and promotion of maize, as well as the provision of germplasm and capacity building for researchers and farmers, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), and diverse non-governmental organizations.