Paddy stands as the primary crop of the Kharif season, with the period from mid-June to the first week of July deemed most suitable for sowing. Farmers involved in paddy cultivation aspire for enhanced production and greater profits compared to other crops. In numerous states, farmers commence nursery planting as soon as May sets in. In response to these concerns of farmers, a novel variety of Mansuri paddy has emerged in the market, known as Sabour Mansuri. This paddy variant promises nearly one and a half times higher production compared to regular paddy, requiring less water, fertilizer, and incurring lower costs.
High-Yield Paddy Variety:
Referred to as Sabour Mansuri paddy, this variety offers increased yields while demanding less water, fertilizer, and reduced expenditure. An outstanding feature of this paddy is that its seeds can be sown directly without transplanting. It yields an average of 65 to 70 quintals per hectare, with a maximum potential of up to 122 quintals per hectare. This paddy matures within 135 to 140 days through direct sowing.
States Enabling Sabour Mansuri Paddy Cultivation:
Sabour Mansuri paddy cultivation will span across 9 states in the country, encompassing Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Puducherry. This innovative paddy variety has been developed by scientists at Bihar Agricultural University. Over the past 4 years, extensive testing has been carried out at 125 centers in 19 states, including Bihar, under the All India Coordinated paddy Improvement Project.
Resistance Against Pests and Diseases:
This paddy variant displays heightened resistance to diseases, effectively countering blast and sheath blight diseases. Its stems exhibit resilience against stem borers and leaf folders. Moreover, its sturdy stems ensure it remains upright even amidst changing weather conditions and recurrent storms.
Enhanced paddy Varieties: Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director of ICAR, revealed that farmers are annually supplied with seeds of improved varieties across various crops developed by the Pusa Institute. This year, the Pusa Institute will distribute ample quantities of seeds for newly developed paddy varieties such as Pusa Basmati 112, Pusa Basmati 1509, Pusa Basmati 1718, Pusa Basmati 1847, Pusa Basmati 1850, Pusa Basmati 1886, Pusa Basmati 1728, and Pusa Basmati 1692.