ICAR Nagaland Centre showcases seven new rice varieties developed for higher yields, shorter duration and stress tolerance.
DIMAPUR — The ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, organised a field day on October 8 to showcase seven newly developed rice varieties, offering farmers and agricultural officials an opportunity to observe their performance and potential under local field conditions.
According to an update, the improved varieties have been developed specifically for Nagaland’s agro-climatic conditions to address the challenges posed by long-duration, low-yielding traditional cultivars. The new varieties mature within 115–120 days, have a yield potential of 5–7 tonnes per hectare and are tolerant to major biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, diseases and insect pests.
The varieties, approved for release in April, are the outcome of more than nine years of research.
During the breeding programme, nearly 990 breeding lines were evaluated and 30 promising lines shortlisted before the seven superior varieties were identified.
The programme brought together senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, scientists of ICAR Nagaland Centre, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officials and farmers from different parts of the state. Altogether, 56 participants from Sovima, Henvi, Chümoukedima, Dhansiripar and Singrijan villages attended the field day.
The event was attended by Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Limanenla; Deputy Director of Agriculture, David Awomi; District Agriculture Officer, Chümoukedima, Moaienla Pongen; Head of Regional Centre, ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr. H Kalita; Head, KVK Dimapur, Dr. Phool Kumari; along with scientists and technical personnel of ICAR Nagaland Centre.
A field visit formed the highlight of the programme, during which scientists and farmers jointly inspected demonstration plots.
Dr. Harendra Verma, Scientist, Plant Breeding and Genetics, ICAR Nagaland Centre, explained the performance and key characteristics of the newly developed varieties.
Dr. Verma said the varieties were developed to address major constraints faced by rice farmers in Nagaland, particularly prolonged crop duration and losses caused by drought, diseases and insect pests. Their shorter duration, higher yield potential and stress tolerance make them suitable for the state’s diverse production environments, he added.
Many farmers expressed interest in adopting the new varieties after observing the crops in the field. The demonstration enabled participants to assess plant growth, crop duration, yield attributes and adaptability under local conditions.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. H Kalita highlighted the importance of transferring improved technologies from research stations to farmers’ fields.
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He emphasised that suitable short-duration varieties could improve the efficiency and profitability of rice-based farming systems.
Farmers who had already cultivated some of the new varieties shared their experiences, reporting encouraging performance, particularly in terms of yield and yield attributes.
District Agriculture Officer, Chümoukedima, Moaienla Pongen, appreciated the performance of the varieties and encouraged farmers to adopt improved cultivars suited to local production conditions.
Deputy Director of Agriculture, David Awomi, said the adoption of high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties could enhance rice production, improve farm incomes and create better livelihood opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Limanenla, urged farmers to embrace scientific innovations and adopt the newly developed varieties.
She said their shorter duration, higher yield potential and stress tolerance could improve cropping opportunities and farm incomes, and called on field functionaries to actively promote the technologies across the state.
The field day marked an important step in taking the newly developed rice varieties from research and release to wider adoption by farmers. The enthusiastic response from participants reflected growing interest in early-maturing, resilient and high-yielding rice cultivars for Nagaland, the update added.