VC highlights CAU's achievements
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2017: Over 100 varieties of rice are no longer available in the State due to climate change, stated CAU, Imphal Vice Chancellor Prof M Premjit.

Speaking to mediapersons at his office located in CAU, Imphal premises, Prof M Premjit said that due to significant changes in the climate, over 100 varieties of rice which were widely grown in the State in the past are no available.

"Around 220 varieties of rice are available in the State.

Now the number has decreased to over 120.However, the rice seeds are well conserved in National Bureau Plant Genetic Resources so that they are not extinct.

These seeds can be planted in suitable places when needed," he added.

VC highlights CAU's achievements

He further said that variety of rice found in the State cannot be conserved only under the initiative of CAU.

It requires collective contribution from the general public as well.

As such, the university will soon organise "Protection of plant varieties and farmers' rights" programme in all the districts of Manipur.

"CAU has also developed new four high yielding varieties of rice that will suit the present climatic condition.

Some of the new varieties of rice developed by scientists of CAU are CAU-R1, CAU-R2 and CAU-R," the Vice Chancellor said.

He added, "CAU-R4 is developed through crossbreeding of another variety of rice with Taothabi rice seed.

CAU-R4 which is also known as Inot Phou can be grown even in high water level areas" .

Under the initiative of CAU, mustard seeds were sowed in one pari of harvest paddy field while four honey bee boxes were kept besides the field.

Not only this step increased the mustard yield but also help the farmers to earn extra income from the honey.

Utilization of such chemical free method has increased the yield upto 20 per cent and product quality by upto 4 per cent.

This method has been successfully implemented in Ukhrul, Chandel, Churachandpur and Senapati district, he informed.

"This type of rotation cropping is also widely practised in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram," the Vice Chancellor said.

It may be noted that CAU, Imphal has been conferred the Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Award 2017 by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh for successfully conducting 6-year project "Zero Tillage Cultivation of Rapeseed-Mustard with Bee Pollination and Non-Chemical Method of Plant Protection" in a programme held this month in New Delhi.

The award was handed over to CAU, Imphal VC M Premjit and Deputy Director Dr Th Robindro.

In the 8th National Extension Education Congress 2017 organised by the National Academy of Agricultural Management in January, VC M Premjit was conferred Dr Daulat Singh Memorial Extension Education Excellence Award for his contribution in the field of teaching, agricultural research and extension management.