By S Ramesh
MYSURU: RNR 15048, a fine-grain blast-resistant paddy variety, which was introduced by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, through Chamarajanagar Krishi Vignan Kendra(KVK), has become popular among rice cultivators in Chamarajanagar, given its good yield.
Paddy growers of the region often used to suffer losses in recent years, due to perennial blast disease in both the kharif and rabi seasons, from cultivating other varieties of paddy, but this year, over hundreds of farmers in Chamarajanagar district, who have been growing the RNR 15048 rice, are cheering, due to a bumper crop, despite adverse climate like heavy rain, that lashed the district in the last few months.
Chamarajanagar KVK has introduced this variety of paddy for cultivation among farmers of Irusavadi in Chamarajanagar taluk and Y K Mole, as well as villages surrounding Yelandur taluk, on an experimental basis, on over 3,000 acres, during this kharif season.
“Because of its unique grain size, short, slender shape, high grain yield potential, high head rice recovery, good cooking quality and robust blast resistance, this variety of paddy is being grown by a large number of farmers in recent years,” said Sunil, an agriculture scientist at Haradanahalli Krishi Vignan Kendra in Chamarajanagar.
Moved by their success in the cultivation of this new rice variety, a large number of farmers want to cultivate RNR 15048 paddy in neighbouring Mysuru and Mandya districts as well.
This variety of paddy is not only disease-resistant, but the crop is ready for harvesting in a short duration of 125 days, with high protein and low glycaemic index, and grows to a height of three to four feet. It is good for diabetics to consume, and can withstand adverse weather. Farmers can reap a good harvest of 25 to 30 quintals per acre, with a minimal cost of production.
“As RNR 15048 was tested and found to be having a low glycaemic index (GI), it is ideal for a therapeutic diet, that helps in the reduction of blood glucose and elevation in plasma HDL cholesterol levels in patients with type-2 diabetes, according to various studies,” said Sunil
“I have cultivated the RNR 15048 variety of paddy during this season, on one-and-a-half acres, which gave a good yield of nearly 40 quintals of fine quality, short and slender grain. As the price of this paddy variety costs around Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,900 per quintal in the market, it suits all health-conscious consumers, preferably diabetics,” said M Venkataramanashetty, a paddy grower of YK Mole village.
Joint director of agriculture, Mahantheshappa, said the state government has already identified and promoted new varieties of rice like RNR 15048, which have a low content of carbohydrates, as well as other nutritious crops. “As this variety is giving a good yield, the government is recommending this crop for cultivation in both the rabi and kharif seasons,” he said.
MYSURU: RNR 15048, a fine-grain blast-resistant paddy variety, which was introduced by the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, through Chamarajanagar Krishi Vignan Kendra(KVK), has become popular among rice cultivators in Chamarajanagar, given its good yield.
Paddy growers of the region often used to suffer losses in recent years, due to perennial blast disease in both the kharif and rabi seasons, from cultivating other varieties of paddy, but this year, over hundreds of farmers in Chamarajanagar district, who have been growing the RNR 15048 rice, are cheering, due to a bumper crop, despite adverse climate like heavy rain, that lashed the district in the last few months.
Chamarajanagar KVK has introduced this variety of paddy for cultivation among farmers of Irusavadi in Chamarajanagar taluk and Y K Mole, as well as villages surrounding Yelandur taluk, on an experimental basis, on over 3,000 acres, during this kharif season.
“Because of its unique grain size, short, slender shape, high grain yield potential, high head rice recovery, good cooking quality and robust blast resistance, this variety of paddy is being grown by a large number of farmers in recent years,” said Sunil, an agriculture scientist at Haradanahalli Krishi Vignan Kendra in Chamarajanagar.
Moved by their success in the cultivation of this new rice variety, a large number of farmers want to cultivate RNR 15048 paddy in neighbouring Mysuru and Mandya districts as well.
This variety of paddy is not only disease-resistant, but the crop is ready for harvesting in a short duration of 125 days, with high protein and low glycaemic index, and grows to a height of three to four feet. It is good for diabetics to consume, and can withstand adverse weather. Farmers can reap a good harvest of 25 to 30 quintals per acre, with a minimal cost of production.
“As RNR 15048 was tested and found to be having a low glycaemic index (GI), it is ideal for a therapeutic diet, that helps in the reduction of blood glucose and elevation in plasma HDL cholesterol levels in patients with type-2 diabetes, according to various studies,” said Sunil
“I have cultivated the RNR 15048 variety of paddy during this season, on one-and-a-half acres, which gave a good yield of nearly 40 quintals of fine quality, short and slender grain. As the price of this paddy variety costs around Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,900 per quintal in the market, it suits all health-conscious consumers, preferably diabetics,” said M Venkataramanashetty, a paddy grower of YK Mole village.
Joint director of agriculture, Mahantheshappa, said the state government has already identified and promoted new varieties of rice like RNR 15048, which have a low content of carbohydrates, as well as other nutritious crops. “As this variety is giving a good yield, the government is recommending this crop for cultivation in both the rabi and kharif seasons,” he said.
.