Odisha government has decided to introduce a new variety of high-yielding paddy seed, ahead of the coming kharif season, in order to increase production. The new variety named ‘Swarna Sub-1’ can withstand water logging for about a fortnight.
The new paddy variety to be introduced in Ganjam district is crucial for the district which often experiences natural calamities like unseasonal rains, floods and cyclones. The agriculture department has aimed to distribute around 7,000 quintals of the new variety seeds to farmers this season, the department has got about 6,000 quintals and the rest would be procured.
The department had set an increased productivity target of 42 quintal paddy per hectare in the district for this kharif compared to 39 quintals in the corresponding period last year for the 2.20 lakh hectare paddy coverage area in the district.