PAU-approved rice varieties getting good response: Expert

Ludhiana, June 20

The rice varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have carved a niche among farmers by surpassing the water guzzling varieties in the current cropping season.

Dr Gurjit Singh Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), PAU, said the PAU had set up 35 seed sale counters across the state for farmers.

“The analysis of paddy seed sale data during the current season revealed that the recommended rice varieties have received an unprecedented response from farmers. Farmers from Ludhiana, Moga, Barnala, Bathinda, Sangrur and Mansa districts, who earlier used to cultivate water-guzzling Pusa 44 and other long-duration varieties, have this season opted for the short-duration PR 126 variety,” he said.

He said farmers in Ferozepur, Faridkot and Patiala chose PR 114 and PR 131 varieties. However, the farmers of Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka opted for basmati varieties such as Pusa Basmati 1121 and Punjab Basmati 7.