Studies in Bangladesh found that short duration rice varieties bred by client-oriented breeding in Nepal out-performed all other varieties. Participatory research on transplanted main season (T. aman) rice in the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh identified farmer-preferred rice varieties that gave high returns, fitted with local cropping patterns that could enhance productivity and crop diversity. Eleven rice varieties were introduced from Nepal. Participatory varietal selection was used to test the varieties in mother and baby trials, by farmers in their fields using their usual levels of inputs. The rice varieties were evaluated using focus group discussion, preference ranking, household level questionnaires and in depth interviews.