CRRI’s new paddy seeds to boost production in state

OST Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 17:

The Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack is going to develop a new type of paddy seed variety to increase production by 8-10 quintals per hectare in Odisha during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Speaking on the occasion of observance of World Food Safety Day organsied 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, in 2012-13, the farming land remained confined to 35 lakh hectares. Hence, our main aim is to increase per hectare yields.

The CRRI scientists were also carrying out research to develop protein level in paddy to 10 per cent which was now limited to 7 to 8 to per cent, 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, 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.