In the drought-stricken landscapes of the Barind region, where water is scarce and the sun is relentless, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Noor Mohammad, a resident of TanoreUpazila in Rajshahi, calls himself a Food Warrior.During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the world retreated, he has been working tirelessly from a humble mud home that he converted into a laboratory. He was quietly fighting on the frontlines of food security.
Drought is one of the most complex and least understood of all natural disasters in Bangladesh. It is a natural disaster which causes the greatest loss in the world and has the largest impact among all the natural disasters. In recent years, concern has grown worldwide that droughts may be increasing in frequency, severity and duration given changing climatic conditions. Droughts are common in the northwestern districts of Bangladesh (i.e. Barind Tract) in recent decades. Barind Tract covers most parts of the greater Dinajpur, Rangpur, Pabna, Rajshahi, Bogra, Joypurhat, and Naogaon. Rainfall is comparatively less in the Barind Tract than in the other parts of the country.
Born out of necessity, heartbreak and watching the paddy in his village get destroyed by drought year after year, Noor refused to accept the loss of crops as an inevitability. "To save paddy, I started research work on my own," Noor recalls. "Day by day, my mud house turned into a laboratory."
Although he formally studied only up to grade 10, Noor's education in agriculture has been extensive and hands-on. He learned by observing scientists in rice research fields and eventually received direct mentorship from experts like DrHelal Uddin, former head of the Plant Breeding Division at the Rice Research Institute, and researchers from Rajshahi University. Through this practical collaboration, Noor mastered the art of hybridisation and genetic lines.
The hero of his research is a variety he calls "Noor Rice One." This invention was driven by the specific climatic challenges of the Barind region. Noor observed that this particular genetic line possessed a strong stem, making it resistant to falling over, and showed significant resilience against pests and diseases.
However, its most vital feature is drought tolerance. "This rice is suitable for drought-prone areas," Noor explains. "Even if it doesn't receive irrigation or rain for 15 to 20 days during the reproductive stage, it is capable of combating drought and giving a good yield."
Furthermore, 'Noor Rice One' has a short lifespan. This is a game-changer trait for farmers. It allows the paddy to be harvested before seasonal natural disasters strike, ensuring the farmer doesn't lose their investment. Early harvesting also allows for a better market price and clears the land early enough to cultivate winter (Robi) crops, effectively increasing the land's annual productivity.
Beyond creating new varieties, Noor protects the traditional ones. He runs a personal Seed Bank to conserve indigenous rice varieties that are on the verge of extinction. Not only does he store them, but he also improves them. By reducing their lifespan and increasing their yield, he makes these native varieties viable for modern farming. "The rice produced can be used to make steamed rice, Polao, Biryani, Tehari, Khichuri, Payesh, and even Panta," he says with pride.
Through his Seed Bank, Noor distributes these seeds to farmers in different areas, who then pass them on to their neighbours. This community-led distribution model ensures that the benefits of his research spread across the countryside, helping farmers become self-reliant without high costs.
Noor Mohammad's ambition extends far beyond his own fields. He sees his work as a solution to a national problem: a large population living on a small amount of land. By inventing high-yielding, short-duration varieties, he aims to maximise output and support the national income.
"I want to build a Golden Bangladesh," Noor declares.
His message to the country is clear: agriculture is the backbone of the nation, and its future lies in the hands of the youth. "The young generation is the future helmsman of our country," he says. "If they come forward in agriculture, it is possible to ensure our country's food security."
Noor Mohammad stands as a testament to the power of observation and the impact of individual initiative. In the cracked soil of the Barind tract, he has planted seeds of hope, proving that you don't need a degree to change the world, you just need the will to serve it.
