Agriculture scientists are upbeat with a new aromatic rice variety, which they claim is cost effective and disease resistant and will help mitigate monga [seasonal joblessness] in the northern districts. Researchers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University in association with Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service, a leading non-government organisation, developed the paddy variety and named it BU dhan-1. The variety could be harvested within 110 days from plantation and trial cultivation found it more resistant to diseases than many other varieties. A total of 17 farmers in Rangpur district cultivated the paddy variety this year. BSMRAU and RDRS jointly initiated extensive research in 1994 to develop a variety suitable for the lean season in the northern region to engage farm labourers who leave homes for cities and towns for a living. Scientists and extension officials detailed the features of the new variety at an orientation ceremony at RDSR auditorium Saturday attended by a group of selected farmers from Rangpur, Kurigram, Lamonirhat and Thakugaon districts. Additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur Abdur Rouf was present as the chief guest. Professor of agronomy department of BSMRAU Dr Abdul Hamid, the innovator of the variety, presented the keynote.