Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, Director Dr Trilochan Mohapatra on Wednesday said that the CRRI was going to develop a new type of paddy seed variety to boost production in the State to 8-10 quintals per hectare during the 12th Five Year Plan.
Mohapatra was speaking on the occasion of observance of World Food Safety Day organsied by the Odisha Krushak Samaj (OKS) here.
“Our research is continuing on both basic and applied aspects in all disciplines of rice culture in order to develop appropriate technologies for increasing per hectare yields. The percentage of farming land is decreasing day by day. While farming was done in 40 lakh hectares of land in 2011-12, in 2012-13, the farming land remained confined to 35 lakh hectares. Hence, our main aim is to increase per hectare yields,” said Mohapatra, adding that, the CRRI scientists were also carrying out research to develop protein level in paddy to 10 per cent which was now limited to 7 to 8 to per cent.
OKS president Dr Purna Chandra Mohanty highlighted the plights of the farmers in the State and urged the Government to open cold storage in all blocks, appropriate procurement prices and other Government benefits to the agriculturists. Among others, former Chief Secretary Sahadev Sahoo and OUAT Dean (Extension) SS Nanda spoke. Successful farmers were felicitated.