Odisha’s agri varsity to sign MoU with IRRI for high nutritional rice production

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 13:

Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) will soon ink an MoU with Philippines based the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for production of high nutritional paddy seed in the state.

In view of the evolution of time and Nagada malnutrition tragedy, the pact will be inked between OUAT and IRRI very soon, said OUAT Vice Chancellor Surendranath Pashupalk.

Meanwhile, the varsity has moved a step forward by achieving success in producing varieties of seeds and crops.

The agriculture scientists are planning to introduce 15 new varieties of crops this year. While the long research on producing crops including paddy, maize, ginger, chilly, sunflower and mustard was successful by the OUAT scientists, the new variants are waiting to get nod from state level selection committee.

Sources said that the insect and salt water resistant new varieties of crops will help to boost the economic standard of farmers.

The students are now provided training on hybrid maize production, rose, honey, mushroom cultivation and packaging and marketing, milk and fish cultivation, said the OAUT scientists.

Already, 151 varieties of various crops including paddy developed by the OUAT have been appreciated by the farmers. Out of total varieties, the OUAT scientists have invented 57 varieties of paddy seeds, which are being cultivated in various regions of the state. Especially, Lalat, Khandagiri, Parijata, Konark and Surendra types of paddy seeds have been highly commended by the farmers.