Manipur: ICAR develops 12 new rice varieties for Northeast

Imphal: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Manipur Centre (ICAR RC NEHR Manipur Centre), Imphal, has developed a total of 12 rice varieties, popularly known as the RC Maniphou series.

These varieties are not only well-received in Manipur but also in high demand in neighbouring states such as Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Ch. Basudha Devi, Head of the Regional Centre, ICAR RC NEHR Manipur Centre, Imphal, stated this during a one-day programme on “Field Day on Rice and Farmer-Scientist Interaction” under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Seed Crops, held on Thursday at its Lamphelpat campus in Imphal.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Imphal West, Chandel, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul.

Ch. Basudha Devi said that these rice varieties are well-adapted to Manipur’s changing climatic conditions. She added that their latest release, RC Manichakhao-1, introduced this year, is a high-yielding, semi-dwarf rice variety with a yield potential of 4.5 to 5 tonnes per hectare.

She explained that the development of a new crop variety is a collaborative effort involving not only plant breeders but also experts from disciplines such as entomology, pathology, agronomy, and soil science.

She emphasised that each variety must be thoroughly evaluated for its resistance to pests and diseases before release and added that it is equally important to identify the specific environmental conditions under which the crop performs best.

She also highlighted the programme as an important platform for farmers to interact and learn from scientists about correct planting methods, including appropriate plant spacing, the use of suitable fertilisers or organic manure, and effective weed and pest management practices.

She added that such awareness and scientific guidance would help achieve maximum yield and make Manipur more self-reliant in agriculture.