Low cost rice for semi-dry cultivation
M.J. PRABU
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The rice variety can be grown by applying only organic manures
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PROGRESSIVE FARMER: Ramachandra Naidu had sown the seeds during the Khariff season (June-August). — Photo: TAFE
A LONG duration rice variety J-18, has been developed at `J' farms Pudhupakkam, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. It has excellent grain and straw quality and is ideally suited for organic farming, according to Mr. S. S. Nagarajan, Senior Vice President, `J' farms.
The crop variety is ideal for growing along the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu, according to Mr. Nagarajan.
"The grain quality of J-18 improves when the crop is raised using organic methods of cultivation.
"The straw from organically grown J-18 is relished by cattle," he said.
J-18 variety was developed from the Wag-wag rice variety from the Philippines, according to Mr. Nagarajan.
Semi-dry cultivation
"This variety is found to grow well in semi-dry conditions, where abundant water supply is unavailable for growing other rice varieties," he said.
"The crop has a thick and robust stem and does not lodge in the field like other rice varieties," explained Mr. Nagarajan.
Non-lodging variety
"This non-lodging in the field is an important trait of this variety, since it can be easily harvested mechanically in places with labour shortage," he said. The variety is endowed with more grains per panicle, and there is practically no chaffness (husk), according to him.
Mr. C. Ramachandra Naidu of Aalathur village in Kanchipuram district is a progressive farmer who has raised this variety in his 30 acres of land under semi dry conditions.
The crop comes to harvest in about 135 days after sowing under semi-dry cultivation, according to Mr. Nagarajan.
With technical guidance from J-farm, he had sown the seeds during the Khariff season (June-August) in his 30-acres land.
" Unlike other rice varieties, which have to be sown in the nursery and then transplanted to the main field, I directly sowed the seeds in the main field after ploughing my land.
"I had also not carried out any weeding operations or applied manure or chemical fertilizers for the crops," he said. "The crop is robust by nature and is quite resistant to major pests and diseases.
"The variety responds well to organic manures and there is no need for applying any chemical fertilizers," said Mr. Nagarajan.
Though heavy rains during the monsoon had washed away a portion of the crop cultivated in Mr. Ramachandra's field, the remaining crop in about 15 acres had not been damaged by the floodwaters, according to Mr. Nagarajan.
Flood resistant
"Though the crop was completely submerged for more than a week, as soon the water started draining the panicles did not exhibit any damage," said Mr. Ramachandra.
Mr. Nagarajan said, "organically grown J-18 rice fetches a premium price in the market. A 75 kg bag of J-18 at present is being sold for a sum of Rs.500 in the local market.
According to Mr. Ramachandra, there is no grain discolouration and the rice recovery is high with virtually no breaking of grain tips.
Mr. Ramachandra has invested a sum of about Rs. 21,000 for growing this variety.
He is expecting a net return of about rupees one lakh from his 15 acres (about 200 bags in about five months). The straw harvested from an acre can be sold for about rupees five thousand, according to Nagarajan.
For more information readers may contact Mr. C. Ramachandra Naidu, Yadava street, Alathur village, via Tiruporur, Kanchipuram district, phone: 9380-141721 and Mr. S.S. Nagarajan, J-Farms, Pudhupakkam post, via kelambakkam, Kanchipuram district-603103, Phone:04427474348.
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