The inventor of Haridhan, which became a popular cultivated rice variety in the 1990s, has died at the age of 95.
An illiterate but skilled farmer, Haripada Kapali produced the rice cultivar in 1992.
The cultivar is very similar to BR 11, a high yield variety invented by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), but is slightly higher in plant length and gives a higher yield.
Haripada died at his residence in Asannagar village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila in the early hours of Thursday, after fighting with complications due to old age for about six months.
Hundreds of admirers, including local agricultural officials, thronged to Haripada's residence after news of his death spread.
His burial rites were completed at the Aliarpur cremation ground in Chuadanga district in the afternoon, confirmed Haripada's foster-son Rup Kumar.
In the early 1990s, Haripada Kapali separated some rice plants with slightly different traits from among the BR 11 plants which he had been cultivating for about four to five years.
He instinctively preserved and planted the seeds of those plants in 1992 and received a higher yield compared to that from the BR 11 variety. He planted the variety in subsequent harvesting seasons and shared the seeds with his neighbors.
Although agricultural officials and scientists are yet to discern its origin, Haridhan has already become the household name for the variety.
Haripada was born on September 17, 1922 in Enayetpur village of Jhenaidaha Sadar upazila. He lost his parents at a young age. After marrying Suniti Kapali, he moved to his father-in-law's residence in Asannagar village.
Haripada is survived by his wife and foster-son.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
