The new red rice variety ‘Ratnagiri-7’ has shown promising results in experimental cultivation across parts of Goa, with farmers reporting good yields and appreciating its taste.
According to Dattatraya Pandit of Vigyan Kendra, the variety is currently undergoing trials and is expected to be made available to farmers after the completion of three years of testing.
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Ratnagiri-7 has a maturity period of around 110 days and has been cultivated on an experimental basis in Sanguem, Quepem and Dharbandora talukas.
Farmers who have cultivated the variety in these areas have reportedly found its taste to be good, in addition to its satisfactory yield.
The ongoing trials are aimed at assessing the variety’s performance under Goa’s local growing conditions. Once the three-year trial period is completed, Ratnagiri-7 is expected to be made available to farmers for wider cultivation.
The introduction of the new red rice variety could provide Goa’s farmers with another option for rice cultivation, particularly if its promising yield and quality are sustained through the remaining trials.
