Experiment on Telangana Sona paddy reaps success
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 06 2024: With the success of experimental cultivation of Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), popularly known as sugar free rice or diabetic rice with lower glycemic index compared to other paddy varieties in Manipur, the Agriculture Department is eyeing widespread cultivation of paddy variety in the state.

Under the National Food Security Mission, District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Imphal West and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Imphal West of the Agriculture Department planted Telangana Sona for the first time in the state at the field of a farmer named N Jiten of Patsoi on experimental basis.

Director (agriculture) N Gojendro and DAO Imphal West S Kenedy along with other officials inspected the field growing Telangana Sona as part of Farmers' Field Day & Kisan Gosthis on Wednesday.

During the visit, N Gojendro told media persons that Telangana Sona (RNR 15048) is not only beneficial for health but is also suitable under climatic conditions.

The paddy variety thrives in regions with cold climate, as well as both scanty and abundant water.

It could be planted twice a year as its cultivation period is very short and farmers could enhance their income by cultivating Telangana Sona twice or thrice a year, he said adding that Telangana Sona paddy is less prone to pests.

According to N Gojendro, Telangana Sona rice has low glycemic index and accordingly produce less sugar than other paddy varieties.

This rice variety will be beneficial for diabetic and health conscious people and also contains higher protein and fibre than other rice varieties, he added.

Regarding the yield, the director explained that Telangana Sona could produce 6500-7000kg paddy per hectare field or 160-175 'mon' per Pari of field in local calculation.

Farmer N Jiten would reap at least 120 'Phoupot' of Telangana Sona paddy as per the ground assessment, he said adding that the department will help farmers and provide necessary inputs to them for widespread cultivation of Telangana Sona paddy variety in the state.

According to DAO, Imphal West S Kenedy, Telangana Sona was introduced by professor Jaishankar of Telangana state agriculture university as high yielding paddy variety in the year 2015 after years of research.

The Government of India had issued gazette notification in 2016 for widespread cultivation of Telangana Sona in other states.

Apart from Telangana, the paddy variety is currently cultivated widely in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, he added.

With increase in the number of diabetic patients in Manipur, doctors are suggesting consumption of rice with less carbohydrate content instead of local variety known as Meetei rice, which contains higher carbohydrate, eventually compelling many with health issues to rely on brown rice locally known as Chak-hao.

However, Chak-hao is costly and hence people opt for super fine rice.

Telangana Sona rice was found perfectly suited for health conscious citizens during researches on lower carbohydrate content in white rice and accordingly launched the experimental cultivation of Telangana Sona in the state, he said adding that experimental cultivation of this paddy variety began this year at Patsoi and Khurkhul in Imphal West and Sanjenbam in Imphal East district.

DAO Kenedy further informed that Telangana Sona rice could replace super fine as cultivation of the said paddy variety is successful in the state.

Glycemic index of Telangana Sona rice is 51.72 percent, making it 50 percent lower carbohydrate content than rice commonly consumed by people of the state.

Apart from this, Telangana Sona rice has five percent more protein content than other rice varieties, he added.

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