Farmers advised against transplanting 2 paddy varieties

The district administration has urged the farmers not to transplant two varieties of paddy, PUSA-44 and Yellow PUSA, as there is a complete ban on the transplantation of these two varieties in the district.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandeep Rishi said today that if any farmer transplanted these varieties, it would be considered a violation of the state government's instructions. He said PUSA-44 and Yellow PUSA were long-duration varieties of paddy which also consumed more water and the farmer had to spend more money on insecticides and fertilisers for these varieties.

Besides, both varieties generated more straw due to which farmers had to burn the straw that polluted atmosphere also. So the farmers should not transplant these varieties, he added.

The DC also appealed to the farmers to sow maize as an alternative to paddy to promote diversification and save groundwater. He urged them to contact agriculture development officers and block agriculture officers to get more information about sowing maize.