Self-sufficiency in rice production has paramount impact on achieving food security. Over the past four decades, Bangladesh succeeded outpacing the population growth rate with its growth in rice output. The country celebrates considerable improvement in food security steered by the applied research led by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). However, the situation is not same across the country and the potential for further improvement through research remains high. For instance, the north-central district Sirajganj is a BPH (Brown Plant Hopper) prone area of Bangladesh where rice production is decreasing day by day. Flood, water logging and river erosion, salinity of soil and sandy soil pose substantial challenges to cultivate the rice in Sirajgonj. Problem oriented research and long-term research is needed in Sirajganj area. There is a strong need of a local research institute to do field research in an efficient work environment.  Therefore, it is important to develop a modern rice research institute in Sirajgonj so that local farmers are greatly benefited through scientific knowledge and practice which eventually help the nation to move one step closer to achieving food security.

The aim of this project is to design a research institute at Konabari, Sirajganj near the Jamuna River, which will be a knowledge hub for local farmers and a place to celebrate rice related cultural events. Throughout the design process, due consideration was given to maintain the naturalness and rurality of the agricultural landscape. The proposed scheme took its inspiration from the landscape pattern of paddy field. Low-rise buildings are articulated as an extension of surrounding landscape. The patchwork of paddy field was imprinted to create a network of pathways connecting smaller functional blocks. A public square is proposed in the middle of the institute to celebrate various cultural events like Nobanno Uthshob, Pitha Uthshob etc. The training facilities of this institute will play a significant role in enhancing the skills, knowledge, and awareness rising of local people.

The Rice Research Institution, Sirajgonj is a project designed on the requirement of the farmers of this area who are depended on rice production. The project has catalytic potential to reduce local food insecurity by disseminating new scientific knowledge and skills to local farmers in order to better cope with changing environment while sustaining the food production and livelihood.