Salt-tolerant rice varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will get farmers tilling

Goan farmers looking for the best salt-tolerant rice variety can now choose either Goa Dhan I or Goa Dhan II, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Old Goa complex, as both are higher yielding and promise other advantages.

Goa's hardy white or red kernel rice, korgutt, has many variations and farmers have been growing the salt-resistant variety in khazan areas since time immemorial. After few years of research, ICAR-CCARI (Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute) scientists have narrowed the variations to just two best selections - Goa Dhan I of white kernel and Goa Dhan II of red kernel.

"Goa Dhan I and Goa Dhan II are best varieties of korgutt in terms of salinity tolerance, coarse and bold grain, higher yield and suitability for raw rice and paraboiling as well," said Manohara K K, scientist in genetics and plant breeding, ICAR, Old Goa.

Three years ago, korgutt, Goa's traditional rice variety had been accorded due recognition as a unique germplasm by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, for its tolerance to salinity stress at seedling stage.

The state has an assortment of local rice varieties, but seeds of some of them are not available. With NBPGR granting korgutt a national identity (number INGR14055) for record purposes, its conservation for future use is assured.

Now, with the official release of two best varieties, this is the first such release of rice variety in the state by ICAR, Goa. "We have developed the two varieties from variations available within native korgutt. During process of development, scientists have involved farmers for making the selections more effective and this helped to bring out the best varieties," Manohara explained.

Lodging or falling of the crop during later stages is a farmers nightmare. These two varieties will have less of a problem and help prevent losses due to rotting of the crop in water. "Lodging will be reduced now compared to original korgutt," he added.

The scientists monitored all requisite parameters during research for the farmers benefit. "Compared to the traditional local korgutt variety that yields 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes per hectare, these two can produce 2.3 to 2.7 tones per ha," ICAR director Eknath Chakukar said.

The pure varieties grown by ICAR scientists are close to the harvesting stage and about 100 kg of breeder seed of each will be given to state agriculture department for multiplication. Further, the multiplication process to cover more farmers will be carried out by ICAR in association with the agriculture department and progressive farmers.

Agricultural activities have dwindled due to rise in labour costs and preference for other occupations, but mechanization of farming operations and attractive subsidies hold promise for revial of paddy cultivation, sources said.