Govt to form task force for promoting hybrid rice varieties

The government today announced creation of a central task force to promote hybrid rice varieties, with a view to boost the production of the grain.

"The proposed task force would finalise the strategies for hybrid rice promotion in special emphasis on PPP model of seed production, procurement and marketing," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said while addressing the two-day workshop on 'Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern States'.

The production of rice per hectare from the cultivation of hybrid seeds is estimated to be higher at 3.27 tonne, compared to 2.27 tonne per hectare from the non-hybrid seeds.

At present, total area under hybrid rice cultivation is very low in the country. The government has decided to promote hybrid rice seeds in view of a slump in rice output last year due to scanty rains.

In 2008-09, the country's rice output declined by 10 per cent to 89.31 million tonne on account of the poor monsoon. The large adoption of hybrid rice seeds would help the government to achieve the rice production target under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM).

NFSM, launched in 2007, aimes at increasing the rice production by 10 million tonne by 2011-12.

Pawar, who is keen to replicate the Green Revolution achieved in Punjab and Haryana in the eastern states, also suggested the "formation of an empowered group of ministers (EGOM) at the state level to ensure timely supply of farm inputs to farmers."

According to the official data, sowing of kharif rice has begun in most parts of the country. Rice has been planted in 46.46 lakh hectares as on July 1, compared to 45.43 lakh hectares in the same period last year.