Field exposure trip organised
Source: The Sangai Express
Kakching, October 14 2017:
A field exposure trip showcasing the inbreeding of two or more species of rice variety to create a high yield version of rice known as PAC-8744, was organised at Kakching Khunyai Leikai, today .
Distributors, namely M/S OI and Bros and M/S Global Agrotech, took part in the event which was sponsored by Advanta, the Seeds Unit of United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) .
Speaking to media persons, a farmer of Kakching Khunyai Leikai, Naorem Binodkumar said that PAC-8744 was planted in his one acre farmland last year .
He pointed out that compared to indigenous variety of rice, the new plant yielded more and the tastes and texture of the new rice is acceptable, if not better than the indigenous ones .
Binodkumar said that he was able to produce around 130 bags of rice last year and he has made all necessary arrangements for this years harvest as well .
|
He explained that the new crop is highly immune to various pests and usually requires less water but there is less significance in procuring the rice variety as saplings as it is a hybrid .
He pointed out that around 3 kilograms of the saplings were planted in his one acre farm land, at the cost of Rs 300 per kgs .
Speaking to media persons, UPL North East Area Sales Manager, Ranjan Kumar Dutta said that PAC-8744 was planted in Manipur as an experiment and a demonstration .
Binodkumar said that around 3000 kgs were bought by the farmers last year, however, expressed disappointment that the farmers bought only 20,000 kilograms this year, far less than the expected amount .
Ranjan Kumar Dutta said that increasing the productivity of the farmers of the State is their main objective and added that they are trying to produce another variety of rice, known as PAC-807, for the farmers of the State.