PANJIM, MAY 16
While Department of Agriculture has introduced different types of high yielding varieties of paddy — Jaya and Jyoti have not lost their popularity and are much preferred by the Goan farmers.
For the last few years the department has been attempting to popularise Karzat-7, a high yielding variety from Maharashtra and also provide seeds at subsidised rate to farmers.
Another high yielding seed introduced last season was Revathy MO- 17 but farmers are not happy with the results.
Although it gives more yield, as compared to Jaya, also crops survive if there are no rains for fifteen days yet it has failed to impress farmers in the State.
Apparently, the problem has been a disease called blast which was fast seen infesting Revathy MO -17 variety grown in the State. Some 300-400 hector area was tried under this variety. “It is prone to infection by disease which is why farmers are not happy with Revathy MO-17,” told Satish Tendulkar, Director of Agriculture to Herald.
HYBRID SEEDS: The KRH -2, a hybrid variety has been tried in Goa by the department however, it has failed to impress farmers.
Though it gives 25-30 per cent more yield, farmers here have not picked it up as they are not happy with the quality of the final product. “They find the rice sticky and soft,” says the director of agriculture.
BASMATI VARIETY: It appears there’s been not much scope for Goa in attempting to grow Basmati rice as weather condition is not favourable. The department has tried introducing Bogawati, a type of Basmati variety but farmers are not inclined to grow Basmati rice.
In Valpoi, Sanguem and Ponda farmers have tried growing Bhogawati, he adds.
