Farmers briefed on black rice varieties
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 15 2022:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), North East region Manipur Centre organised a farmers' participatory varietal selection programme on semidwarf black rice at its Lamphelpat campus, here, on Tuesday.
Speaking at the programme, ICAR scientist Dr Konsam Sarika explained that the black rice, which is known as 'Chak-hao' in Manipur being planted in the state since time immemorial.
However, the black rice variety grown in the state does not give much yield as only 2.5 tonnes of black rice could be produced from one hectare of land.
In addition, black rice usually takes a lot of time in cooking, she informed, while adding that ICAR experimented and produced 10 varieties of black rice that have the same aroma and low stem but are high yielding.
After three years of trial, three best varieties of black rice were planted at in Chandel, Tharoijam, Bishnupur, Kwaksiphai and Irilbung as final experiment, she informed.
Dr Sarika further said that the programme has been organised so as to make the farmers aware about the new black rice varieties and to take their opinions and ideas about these rice varieties.
Around 45 farmers from different districts took part in the programme, which was conducted in the presence of ICAR research complex for NEH region, Manipur Centre joint director Dr I Meghachandra and other officials.