Aerobic rice a bliss for farmers facing water scarcity in Bihar

SAMASTIPUR: There is some good news for farmers of the state struggling with perennial problem of water scarcity, particularly for paddy production.

Scientists of Rajendra Agriculture University (RAU), Pusa (Samastipur), have found a new variety of aerobic rice which will grow in puddled soil. The iron-efficient variety of paddy christened as ‘Rajendra Neelam’, has been developed with a view to coping with the problem of erratic rains in the state and the problem of water crisis. Aerobic rice is a production system in which especially developed rice varieties are grown in well-drained, non-puddled and non-saturated soils. With appropriate management, the system aims for yields of at least 4 to 6 tonne per hectare.

Rajendra Neelam , the variety, which was found by Prof Lilanjay of plant reading and genetics department at RAU, have already been released by the State Variety Release Committee (SVRC) for Bihar and notified by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC), New Delhi.

According to sources, the new variety of the crop is now being grown on two hectares of agricultural farm in RAU and is expected that 60 to 80 quintals of breeder seeds would be produced in October-November this year for marketing among farmers and government agencies. The seeds thus produced could be cultivated in June 2018, added sources.

The overjoyed young scientist, Prof Lilanjay, told TOI that the new variety of aerobic rice has many advantages over conventional lowland irrigated type of cultivation. Since, direct seeding is recommended , nursery preparation , puddling and transplanting cost can be avoided.

He, however warned that while opting for direct seeding, the soil should be in a saturated condition for the healthy sprouting of the seeds. “Rajendra Neelam would be grown like wheat and maize,” he added.

The young professor also thanked the RAU research council which first recommended the proposal of research work on new variety of aerobic rice under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVP) in 2009, which witnessed the invention of the seeds in 2017.

RAU VC RC Srivastava said, “Farmers facing water scarcity would be hugely benefitted.”