Agri scientists recover aroma of Katarni rice

The scientists at Sabour Agriculture University here claimed to have successfully recovered the aroma of popular rice variety -- Katarni -- after carrying out a series of experiments.
The scientists conducted molecular sterilisation on Katarni grain and recovered its genetic quality that creates aroma in the rice variety cultivated in Bhagalpur and other districts of Bihar, University's Vice Chancellor Mewalal Chaudhary said at an agriculture workshop here today.
This popular rice variety was said to have lost its aroma, leading to reduction in demand from consumers.
Chaudhary said the scientists have also experimented on a number of crops, including pulse variety which will be drought resistant and its seeds will be available in the market from next year so that the farmers could cultivate these alternative crops.