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With low water requirement, two rice varieties find fresh takers in Punjab

PR-121 and PR-126 encourage growers with short duration of harvest and low water requirement

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The seeds of the two varieties are distributed by PAU at negligible rates. The rice is sold to buyers at retail rates of Rs 60-80 per kg, and they fetch the farmers Rs 25-30 per kg

Shamsher Chandel Ludhiana

4 min read Last Updated : Jun 18 2021 | 6:10 AM IST

The seeds of two varieties of rice developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are finding takers in the state, after a slow start when they were introduced eight years ago. PR-121 and PR-126, which require comparatively less water for cultivation, have been in huge demand among farmers since 2020.

According to scientists at PAU, Ludhiana, sowing the two varieties will help Punjab restore its depleting groundwater. Also, they can be harvested between 93 and 110 days after sowing compared to the 160-day period for a popular earlier variety called PUSA-44. Due to early harvest, farmers also stand to gain more

Topics : Rice output Punjab farmers Farming Agriculture

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