Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance farmer income, ensure climate resilience, and promote sustainable agriculture, the Odisha State Seed Sub-Committee today approved 15 new varieties of agricultural crops for development in the state.
The crucial meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmer’s Empowerment Department.
The approved varieties, encompassing maize, mustard, and paddy, are set to significantly benefit farmers in the upcoming Kharif season. Dr. Padhi emphasized that the cultivation of these new varieties will contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for Odisha’s agriculture. The committee’s decision prioritizes climate stability, short duration, and nutritional aspects in new varietal development.
Among the non-grain varieties, three have received the green light:
- OUAT Kalinga Maize 1 (Khusi): This maize variety has demonstrated excellent performance even under drought stress conditions, making it ideal for cultivation in maize-rich districts like Nabarangpur, which are dependent on Kharif rainfall.
- OUAT Kalinga Mustard 2 (Samrudhi): A high-yielding mustard variety with high oil content.
- OUAT Kalinga Mustard 3 (Siddhi): Another high-yielding mustard variety boasting high oil content.
In the paddy segment, a total of 11 varieties have been approved, including four from OUAT and seven from CRRI, Cuttack:
From OUAT:
- OUAT Kalinga Dhan-3 (Sampada): This variety is particularly suitable for preparing Mudhi and Leya (puffed rice) and is endowed with antioxidant properties, fitting well into rice-based cropping systems.
- OUAT Kalinga Dhan 12 (Parja)
- OUAT Kalinga Dhan 12A (Padmaja): An organically vigorous variety, well-suited for organic farming practices.
- OUAT Kalinga Dhan 14 (Shripada): A bio-fortified variety rich in iron and antioxidants, poised to replace the widely used “Golden (MTU-7029)” variety.
From CRRI, Cuttack:
- SIR Dhan 215 (Indumati): This variety is noted for its suitability in saline areas, making it a promising choice for the coastal districts of Odisha.
- SIR Dhan 325 (Salila)
- SIR Dhan 334 (Satyadev)
- SIR Dhan 335 (Alok)
- SIR Dhan 604 (Kalpana): This resilient variety can withstand low temperatures during the seedling stage and high temperatures during the reproductive stage. It also offers resistance to stem borer and leafhopper.
- SIR Dhan 705 (Ganga)
- SIR Dhan 912 (Ashutosh Mehek): A fragrant variety that exhibits resistance to both leafhopper and stem borer.
The meeting saw the presence of key agricultural stakeholders, including Shubham Saxena, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, officials from Odisha Agricultural and Technological University (OUAT), CRRI Cuttack, and other representatives from the Agriculture Department. The collective effort underscores Odisha’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural practices and empowering its farming community.