For the past ten years BRAC scientists have developed a good no. of varieties in several horticultural crops and a few technologies have also been generated in its research centre (BARDC) a brief summary of which has been presented under the title. #suggested link of my you tube video on commercial cultivation of hybrid pumpkin:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-EtqcuBMc&t=10s

1. Research & Development Activities of Horticulture Crops in BRAC
Presented by
Dr. S. C.
Biswas

2. Objectives
 To provide adequate nutrition to the small and
fixed income groups.
 Generating income opportunities to increase
the purchasing power of the poor people.
 Eradication of poverty and ensuring nutritional
food security.
 Reducing dependency for quality seeds on
foreign companies and saving foreign
currency.
 Ensuring the supply of quality seeds to the
farmers at proper time.

3. Vegetable Cultivation and Seed
Production Program in BRAC
Vegetable Seed Distribution Programme : 1972
Commercial vegetable cultivation started :1992
Seed production by own management system: 1996
Import of seeds of cole crops : 1998
Establishment of BARDC : 1999
Hybrid seed production : 2002

4. Target crops
We are dealing with 30 different vegetable crops
including fruiting vegetables, leafy & salad vegetables,
podded vegetables, stem & bulb vegetables, root &
tuber vegetables etc.
Fruiting
vegetables
Leafy &
salad
vegetables
Podded
vegetables
Stem &
bulb
vegetables
Cole
crops
Root &
tuber
vegetables
Okra,
pumpkin,
cucumber,
bitter gourd,
bottle gourd,
ridge gourd,
ash gourd,
snake gourd
etc.
Spinach,
pechay, red
amaranth,
leaf
mustard,
kang kong,
prince
shak, red
bethua etc.
Yard long
bean,
country
bean,
mung
bean,
ground
nut etc.
Onion,
stem
ama-
ranth
etc.
Cauli-
flower
cabbage ,
&
broccoli
etc.
Radish,
carrot
etc.

5. Major Activities
A. Variety Screening
B. Variety Development
C. Colored Vegetables
D. Improvement of Indigenous
Vegetables
E. Generation of New Techniques

6. A. Variety Screening
• Imported seeds of cole crops & hybrid varieties of
other crops are identified & suitable varieties are
recommended for marketing.
• Adaptive trial experiments are also conducted in
other farms.
• Multiseasonal trial experiments are also conducted
to identify the suitable growing season.
• Suitable varieties are chosen and recommendations
are made for the marketing department to ensure
their availability to the growers in proper season.

7. Trial experiments of different crops
Cauliflower
CabbageBroccoli
Purple Cabbage
Watermelon

8. B. Variety Development
• Improved varieties (F1 hybrid & OP) of
different vegetable crops are being developed.
• Since most of the vegetable crops are cross
pollinated, hybrids can be developed easily.
• Improved OP varieties are developed from
crops –where application of hybrid technique
is difficult.
• Some uncommon varieties like red okra, red
spinach, white pumpkin & summer country
bean etc. have also been developed.

9. Released hybrid and OP varieties
Hybrid varieties
Sl. No. Crop No. of Varieties
01 Tomato 3
02 Brinjal 2
03 Bitter gourd 1
04 Ridge gourd 1
05 Bottle gourd 1
06 Pumpkin 1
07 Okra 1
Total 10

10. OP varieties:
Sl.
No.
Crop No. of Varieties Total no. of
varieties
01 Radish 1 3
02 Cucumber 1
03 Spinach 1
Promising Hybrid and OP Varieties:
Sl. No. Crop No. of Varieties
01 Ash gourd (Hybrid) 1
02 Brinjal (Hybrid) 1
03 Bottle gourd (Hybrid) 1
04 Ridge gourd (Hybrid) 1
05 Hot pepper (Hybrid) 1
06 Red Okra (Hybrid) 1
07 Red Yardlong Bean (OP) 1
Red Spinach (OP) 1
Total 8

11. Tomato - Tripti-02
Characteristics:
 It has semi indeterminate type
plant, also heat tolerant and early
hybrid.
Fruits are high round and have
shining red color.
 Average fruit weight 70-80g .
Yield per acre 20 - 22 tons (50 -
55 tons/ha).
 Fruit harvest starts from 60-65
days after transplanting.
Fruits are fleshy, tasty, very firm
and suitable for distant
transportation.
 Tolerant to leaf curl virus and
bacterial wilt.
Hybrid Varieties

12. Bitter Gourd – Bulbuli
Characteristics:
This hybrid variety is a prolific
bearer.
Thicker pericarp is very fleshy,
solid & bitterness is moderate.
Fruit protuberances are
slightly blunt, hence fruits
usually do not suffer from injury
during transportation.
Glossy green colored fruits and
average fruit weight is 225-250g.
Fruit harvest starts from 50-55
days after transplanting.
Yield per acre is 8-12 tons.

13. Hybrid Ridge Gourd
– Green Star
Characteristics:
•This hybrid variety is
prolific bearer.
•Tender fruits are
fleshy, soft and tasty.
• Fruit color green,
length 30-40 cm and
fruits have prominent
ridges.
•Average fruit weight
130-150 gm.
•Fruit harvest starts
from 40-45 days.
•Yield per acre 10- 12
tons.

14. Bottle Gourd – Green Super
Characteristics:
It is a high yielding hybrid
variety.
Fruits are attractive deep green
coloured with white spots and
very tasty.
Average fruit weight is 2.5-3.0
kg.
Fruit harvest starts from 60-65
days after seed sowing.
Fruit length is around 45-50
cm.
It is a profuse bearer and yield
per acre is 20- 25 tons.

15. Pumpkin – Beauty
Characteristics:
It is a high yielding F1 variety.
Rind color is blackish green at
young stage and brown at the
ripening stage.
Fruit pericarp is very solid and
the flesh is yellow coloured.
 Very tasty at both green and
ripening stage.
 Average fruit weight is 4.0 - 5.0
kg at maturity.
Yield per acre is 20 - 25 tons.

16. Radish –Sufala-40
Characteristics:
•Sufala 40 is a high yielding, year
round and heat tolerant variety.
• Roots are attractive white
colored and 20-25 cm long and
have no misshapen roots.
•Harvest starts from 40-45 days
after sowing.
•Roots are tasty and have mild
pungency; leaves can be used as
vegetable.
•Yield per acre is 20-24 tons.

17. Brinjal –F1
hybrid
Characteristics
•Medium early rabi season hybrid
line.
• Tall, erect & open type bushy
plant.
• Prolific & continuous bearer.
• Purple coloured oblong oval type
fruits can be harvested from 40-42
DAT.
• Fruit size- 15 X 5 cm and fruit
wt. 200 – 225 gm.
• Fruits are delicious, very soft &
have minimum seeds.
• On an average 30 - 35 fruits are
produced per plant. Production 25
– 30 tons/acre.
Fig. Parents of the hybrid
F1 Hybrid

18. Spinach –Sufala-01
Characteristics:
 This is a quick growing and
improved spinach variety.
Green colored, thicker, larger,
soft and fleshy leaf.
 Harvest starts from 30-35 days
after sowing.
 It is a late bolting and year
round variety.
 Yield per acre is 5-6 tons.
OP Varieties

19. Summer Country Bean
Characteristics:
•It is a year round and heat
tolerant variety.
•Greenish purple fruit color
and fruit length is 8-10 cm.
•Harvest starts from 60-65
days after sowing and fruit
can be harvested for a longer
period.
•Tolerant to major diseases
and pests.
•Yield per acre 5-6 tons.

20. Pechay / Bati shakPechay / Bati shak
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
•Quick growing short duration leafyQuick growing short duration leafy
vegetable having delicious taste.vegetable having delicious taste.
•Very easy to cultivate and free from theVery easy to cultivate and free from the
attack of major diseases.attack of major diseases.
•Production per unit area is appreciably highProduction per unit area is appreciably high
compared to traditional leafy vegetables viz,compared to traditional leafy vegetables viz,
red amaranth, radish, spinach and oil seededred amaranth, radish, spinach and oil seeded
Brassica.Brassica.
•It can be utilized as an exportable vegetableIt can be utilized as an exportable vegetable
commodity for the super markets.commodity for the super markets.
•Plants having near about 14-15 leaves withPlants having near about 14-15 leaves with
the leaf size- 30 cm. X 17cm. can bethe leaf size- 30 cm. X 17cm. can be
harvested from 25-26 days after sowing.harvested from 25-26 days after sowing.
•Seed production of pechay is also profitableSeed production of pechay is also profitable
as on an average 20 gms. of seeds can beas on an average 20 gms. of seeds can be
produced from a single plant.produced from a single plant.
•Production of fresh vegetable is around 25-Production of fresh vegetable is around 25-
30 tons/ha.30 tons/ha.

21. Leaf Mustard
Characteristics:
• High yielding improved type
leafy vegetable.
• Harvest can be started within
30-35 days of seed sowing.
• Excellent taste & has very good
flavour.
• Off-season cultivation is very
profitable.
• Yield 4-4.5 tons/acre.

22. C. Coloured Vegetables
1. Development of anthocyanin rich red okra
2. Development of red spinach
3. Development of pinkish red coloured yard
long bean
4. Development of white pumpkin variety
5. Development of colourful hot pepper.

23. Characteristics:
1. It is a dual purpose vegetable
crop, since it has decorative value.
2. Robust plant and has
attractive red colored fruit, stem,
petioles & leaf veins.
3. The flesh is soft, very tasty and
has nutritive value as well.
4. No. of fruits per plant is 25-30.
5. Fruit harvest starts from 50-52
days after seed sowing.
6. Yield per acre 7- 8 tons.
7. This hybrid is tolerant to yellow
vein mosaic virus disease.
8. It is an anthocyanin rich red
okra
Hybrid Red Okra

24. Red Spinach
Characteristics:
1.This is a quick growing and
high yielding advance line.
2. Leaf, stem, roots, petioles and
veins are red colored.
3. Leaves are thick, larger, soft
and fleshy.
4. Harvest starts from 30-35
days after sowing.
5. It is a late bolting line and
yield per acre around 5-6 tons.
6. Anthocyanin, carotene & iron
rich advance line.

25. Yard Long BeanYard Long Bean
(Red)(Red)
CharacteristicsCharacteristics
•High yielding improved type variety.High yielding improved type variety.
•Prolific bearer, red coloured fruitsProlific bearer, red coloured fruits
,fruits can be harvested for a longer,fruits can be harvested for a longer
period.period.
•High seedling vigour and stronger vinesHigh seedling vigour and stronger vines
with broad deep green leaves.with broad deep green leaves.
•Profuse fruiting and good uniformity inProfuse fruiting and good uniformity in
fruit size and shape.fruit size and shape.
•Thicker fruit pulp and solid fruits;Thicker fruit pulp and solid fruits;
hence the fruits are fleshy; yield-9-10hence the fruits are fleshy; yield-9-10
tons/acre.tons/acre.
•Virus tolerant variety and can be grownVirus tolerant variety and can be grown
throughout the year.throughout the year.
• Anthocyanin rich red YLB tolerant toAnthocyanin rich red YLB tolerant to
major diseases.major diseases.
•Wet tolerant variety and relatively tolerant toWet tolerant variety and relatively tolerant to
leaf miner attack.leaf miner attack.
• Fruits have increased shelf life.Fruits have increased shelf life.

26. White Pumpkin
Characteristic
Features:
• Uncommon type
pumpkin with white rind
colour.
• Plants are normal , has
good vigour & good
spreading habit.
• Flesh is thick but light
yellow coloured and has
moderate sweetness.
• Good fruiting habit and
yield 20-22 tons/acre.

27. Colourful Hot pepper

28. Coloured Vegetables (sources of different phytonutrients & their health benefits)
Colour Nutrients Sources Health Benifits
Red Lycopene, ellagic
acid &
anthocyanins.
Beets, onions
(red), potatoes
(red), peppers
(red), radishes,
tomatoes.
Maintain heart health,
memory function,
urinary tract health,
lower the risk of some
types of cancer.
Blue &
Purple
Health promoting
phytonutrients such
as polyphenols &
anthocyanins &
powerful anti
oxidants.
Asparagus (purple),
cabbage (purple),
carrots (purple), egg
plant (purple),
peppers (purple),
potatoes (purple-
fleshed).
Gives extra
protection against
some types of cancer
& urinary tract
infections, help boost
brain health &
vision.
Yellow
&
Orange
Varying amount of
antioxidants such as Vit.
C as well as other phyto-
nutrients, including
carotenoids and
bioflavonoids.
Beets (yellow),
carrot, sweet corn,
peppers (yellow),
potatoes (yellow),
pumpkin, squash,
sweet potato,
tomatoes (yellow).
May help promote
heart & vision health
and a healthy
immune system, they
may also help to
ward off cancer.

29. Contd.
Green Varying amount
of potent
phytochemicals
such as lutein &
Indoles as well as
other nutrients.
Beans (green),
broccoli,
cabbage(Chinese),
cabbage(green),
celery, cucumber,
Chayote squash,
greens (leafy), leeks,
lettuce, okra, onions
(green), peas
(green), peppers
(green), spinach.
Lower the risk
of cancer,
improve eye
health, keep the
bones and teeth
strong.
White/
Tan/
Brown
Allicins Cauliflower, corn
(white), garlic,
ginger, kohlrabi,
mushrooms,
onions,
potatoes(white-
fleshed), turnips.
Play a role in
heart health by
helping you
maintaining
healthy cholesterol
levels and may
lower the risk of
some type of
cancer.
(Source: National Cancer Research Institute, U.S.A)

30. D. Improvement of Indigenous
Vegetable Crops
1. Improvement of Jute mallow
2. Improvement of Lafa shak
3. Development of Red
Chenopodium (Bothua
Shak)
4. Improvement of Fenu greek

31. CharacteristicsCharacteristics
•Very similar to young juteVery similar to young jute
plants.plants.
•Fast growing leafy vegetablesFast growing leafy vegetables
and can be grown almostand can be grown almost
throughout the year.throughout the year.
•Tender plants are very soft &Tender plants are very soft &
tasty.tasty.
•It can withstand temporaryIt can withstand temporary
water logging conditions.water logging conditions.
•Hardy plants and have noHardy plants and have no
major diseases & pest attacks.major diseases & pest attacks.
•Yield 3-3.5 tons/acre.Yield 3-3.5 tons/acre.
•Plucking can be made severalPlucking can be made several
Prince shak (Jute mallow)Prince shak (Jute mallow)

32. Lafa Shak (Malva sp.) (Local shrub)
Characteristics
1. It is a short duration nutritious
leafy vegetable and the whole
plant is used as vegetable.
2. Very easy to grow and harvest
can be started within 25-30 days.
3. Yield per acre is 4-5 tons.
4. Young stem & leaves are very
soft and it has got very good
flavour and its preparations are
tasty.
5. It is a fast growing leafy
vegetable and tolerant to major
diseases & pests.

33. Bothua Shak (Chenopodium sp.)(Red)
• Characteristics
• It is a high yielding indigenous
leafy vegetable.
• Plants are much vigorous and
robust type than the traditional
types.
• Red coloured stem, branches &
leaves.
• Young shoots and leaves are very
tasty.
• Yield – 3.00-3.50 tons /ha.
• Harvest can be started from 30-35
days of seed sowing.
• Young twigs and leaves can be
harvested regularly from the
large size plants for a longer
period.

34. Fig.
Fenu
greek
(Methi).
Characteristics
• Hardy type plant & it can be grown easily for
vegetable (leaves are used as vegetable) and spice
crop.
•Moderately short duration crop and it is also a
profitable crop .
• It is tolerant to major diseases and pests.
•It has got medicinal value and found to be very
much effective in controlling dandruff problem and
loss of hair.
•Yield per acre 700 Kg.

35. E. Generation of New Technologies
Cloning in F1 hybrid Kang kong

36. Cloning of Prince Shak (Jute mallow)

37. Cloning in Pumpkin

38. Contd.

39. Contd.

40. Cloning in Brahmi shak & Gandhabhadali

41. Off –Season Vegetable
Cultivation

42. Contd.

43. Water caltrop (Panifal) , Trapa natans

44. •It is an aquatic plant
and its raw fruits are
delicious.
•Very easy to grow and
requires small amount
of investment and
labour.
•Since it is a profitable
crop can be cultivated
commercially in the
‘haor’ areas.
•Children’s like it very
much and sometimes flour
is produced from its fruits.
•It is harvested when the
farmers have no work.
•Fish and fruits can be
cultivated in the same water
body.
Characteristics

45. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES (BRAC-AVRDC/USAID)
Home gardens – Barishal & Jessore.
• Upazilla covered- 2 (Uzirpur at
Barishal & Chougacha at Jessore).
• Total No of Gardens: 301 (251 in
Uzirpur & 50 in Chougacha).
Market gardens - Barishal
• Location : Uzirpur only.
• Area: 14.28 ha.
• No. of farmers: 100

46. Design, pilot and promote locally adapted
home and market gardens including year-
long and adapted cropping sequences.

47. Future Strategy
•New stress tolerant short duration
nutritious vegetable varieties will be
developed to combat hidden hunger and
malnutrition.
• Research priorities will also be given to
develop off-season or extra early season value
added vegetables.
•Development of suitable varieties which can
fit easily in the existing cropping pattern and
diverse farming system.

48. Contd.
• Sustainable technologies of fresh vegetable
production as well as seed production will also be
strengthened.
• Due importance will also be given on the
improvement of indigenous vegetable and steps
will be taken for their incorporation in the
healthy diet.
• BRAC is also committed to disseminate the new
sustainable vegetable cultivation techniques and
good quality vegetable seeds.

49. THANK YOUTHANK YOU