CRRI’s new paddy seed to boost yield

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 17:
The Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack is going to develop a new variety of paddy seed to increase production by 8-10 quintals per hectare in Odisha during the 12th Five Year Plan.
Speaking on the occasion of World Food Safety Day organised by the Odisha Krushak Samaj (OKS) here on Wednesday, CRRI director Dr Trilochan Mohapatra said “Our research is continuing on both basic and applied aspects in all disciplines of rice culture in order to develop appropriate technologies for increasing per hectare yields. The percentage of farming land is decreasing day by day. While farming was done in 40 lakh hectares of land in 2011-12, it came down to just 35 lakh hectares in 2012-13. Hence, our main aim is to increase per hectare yields.”

CRRI scientists were also carrying out research to develop protein level in paddy, which was now limited to 7 to 8 to per cent, to 10%, he added.
Highlighting the plight of the farmers in the state, OKS president Dr Purna Chandra Mohanty urged the state government to open cold storage in all blocks, ensure appropriate procurement prices and other government benefits to the agriculturists.

Among others, former chief secretary Sahadev Sahoo and OUAT Dean (Extension) SS Nanda spoke.

Successful farmers were felicitated were felicitated on the occasion.