Climate change is becoming a serious issue all over the world and the North East, and Meghalaya in particular, is no exception.
Being the main crop grown in the region, it is crucial to protect small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods with climate resilient rice as the North East is vulnerable to extreme weather events like drought and floods.
With this observation ICAR-KVK West Garo Hills took the extra initiative to procure climate resilient paddy variety CR-Dhan 805 from NRRI Cuttack, which is one of the premier rice research institutes in India, for distribution among farmers.
During a one day training programme conducted at Marapara village today by KVK scientist Joyoshree Mahanta, this climate resilient paddy variety was distributed to 30 farmers. Duration of the paddy is 125 days with a yield potential of 5.5t/ha. It is resistant to brown plant hopper (an insect that is a rice pest) in addition to having climate resilience.
A method demonstration on ‘Dapog nursery’ raising technique was conducted by Priyanka. Feedback from the farmers will further help the KVK in dissemination of newer technologies in future to agriculturists, which is needed to enhance production and secure livelihoods.
