WHEAT IN BANGLADESH: YIELD GROWTH, PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND DETERMINANTS - Soybean and Wheat Crops: Growth, Fertilization, and Yield - page 220

the farm-level which was released 25 years ago 5 , clearly points towards the need to develop
the research-extension link. Finally, our study shows that poor land type significantly reduces
productivity. Therefore, research effort should be geared towards developing varieties that are
suitable for marginal areas. Evidence suggests that wheat production in marginal lands
accounts for 25% of global production and that research innovation has led to significant
improvement in yield growth in these areas, particularly in drought and high temperature
environments (Lantican et al., 2003). The challenges to realize all of these policy options are
formidable. However, a boost in wheat production could significantly curb dependence on
rice as the main staple in Bangladeshi diet, which is a goal worth pursuing.
Appendix Table A1. Recommended wheat varieties and their year of approval by
National Seed Board with farm level expected yield during 1974 to 2005

Variety Year of release Farm level expected

yield (t/ha)

Maximum yield
(t/ha)

Sanora-64 1974 NA NA

Mexipak-65 /Kalyansona 1974 NA NA

Iniya-66 1974 3.5-3.8 NA

Norteno-67 1974 3.2-3.9 NA

Sonalika-68 1974 3.2-3.4 NA

Tenori-71 1975 3.4-3.5 NA

Nuri-70 1975 NA NA

Jupatico-73 1975 3.5-3.7 NA

Pavon-76 1979 3.7-4.2 NA

Balaka 1979 3.7-4.1 NA

Doel 1979 3.5-4.0 NA

Ananda 1983 3.4-3.8 4.86

Kanchan 1983 3.5-4.8 6.60

Akbar 1983 3.5-4.2 4.63

Barkat 1983 3.4-3.8 5.39

Aghrani 1987 3.0-3.5 5.02

BARI Gam-17 (Shaugat) 1993 NA 5.13

BARI Gam-18 (Protiva) 1993 3.8-4.5 5.08

BARI Gam-19 (Sourav) 1998 3.5-4.6 5.39

BARI Gam-20 (Gaurab) 1998 3.6-4.8 5.28

BARI Gam-21 (Shatabdi) 2000 3.6-4.6 4.87

BARI Gam-22 (Sufi) 2005 3.6-4.8 NA

BARI Gam-23 (Bijoy) 2005 4.3-5.0 NA

BARI Gam-24 (Prodip) 2005 3.5-5.1 NA

Note: NA= Not available.
Source: SCA (1985 and 1992), Razzaque et al. (1993 and 2000), BARI (1989, 1992 and 1994), WRC
(2000).

5 Although 24 modern varieties of wheat have been released since 1974 (see Appendix A1), ' Kanchan ' released in