Today’s Top Rice News: From Odisha’s Rice Fallow Management To Paddy Procurement Under Scanner
By Megha Bajaj
Odisha Underscores Rice Fallow Management at National Pulses Workshop Under Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission
On Saturday, February 8, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare held a National Workshop on pulse crops under the Rashtriya Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission, chaired by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Amlaha, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. Not only this, but the event was graced by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who highlighted agricultural developments in Odisha. During the workshop, Union Minister Chouhan emphasised that the Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission intends to attain national self-reliance and improve the welfare of farmers. He expressed that depending on imported pulses is a matter of shame and that the mission is not only focused on increasing pulse production but also on empowering our farmers. Furthermore, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo outlined Odisha’s ongoing efforts to empower farmers, noting that the state’s agricultural sector has been undergoing significant growth and transformation. This progress is driven by strategic policy initiatives, technological advancements, and the adoption of climate-resilient practices.
Bangladesh approves six new rice varieties for nationwide cultivation
Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture has approved six new rice varieties, including two hybrids, for nationwide cultivation, intending to strengthen production and boost food security for a growing population. According to a press release, the total number of rice varieties developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has risen to 127 with the approval. Notably, the six rice varieties include one enriched with vitamin E, one high-yielding and lodging-resistant, and another tolerant to salinity and also resistant to blast disease. Moreover, three other varieties include a cold-tolerant strain for hilly regions and two hybrid strains designed to withstand lodging. Interestingly, the newly developed BRRI Dhan 115 is a vitamin E- and antioxidant-rich variety. It is also Bangladesh’s first high-yielding black rice variety. Its grains carry 14.98 mg/kg vitamin E and 29.12 mg/kg C3G, a beneficial antioxidant. The average yield is 7.4 tonnes per hectare, as per the statement.
Paddy procurement under scanner as Kendrapara farmers allege rice miller high-handedness
On Sunday, Feb 8, Farmers associated with the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) in Nial village under Aul block of Kendrapara district in Odisha alleged severe harassment by rice millers over refusal to lift their paddy. The farmers stated that paddy has been lying at the Nial paddy mandi. However, millers are avoiding paddy procurement on questionable basis. On Saturday evening, three trucks from a Pattamundai-based rice mill had arrived at the Nial mandi to lift paddy but the miller claimed that the entire stock stored at the mandi was of inferior quality and sent the trucks back without loading any produce. Instead, the same trucks allegedly procured paddy from the Demal mandi. Furious at this move, farmers intervened the trucks near Nial Chhak, while they were en route to the mill from Demal mandi. Additionally, the vehicles were detained for four hours. The standoff ended only after the miller reportedly assured the farmers that paddy from the Nial mandi would be lifted.