From plot to plate: Stakeholder insights from crop cafeteria event help guide rice varietal adoption in Bangladesh 

Participatory field evaluations with stakeholders reveal farmer-driven varietal preferences and offer strategic guidance for promoting and accelerating climate-resilient rice adoption across the value chain.

MYMENSINGH, Bangladesh (April 2025) – Over 100 rice value chain actors, including farmers, seed dealers, millers, scientists, and extension officials, convened in Fulbaria, Mymensingh District to participate in a Crop Cafeteria Evaluation Event organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Bangladesh in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).

The crop cafeteria method, where different rice varieties are planted in a field for evaluation,  allows real-time and comparative assessment of varietal adaptability, yield potential, and stress tolerance in a controlled environment. With a focus on short-duration and high-yielding traits, this event enabled farmers and private sector actors to identify varieties best suited for local conditions.