Port Blair, Jun 07: Rice is an important crop of our Islands which is grown during Kharif season (June to December) every year. High yielding varieties and quality seeds play important role in yield enhancement of rice. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair has been engaged for the development and seed distribution of HYVs of rice for Island farmers since many years through its ToT programmes wherein visible impact of adoption of rice varieties by the farmers at different locality is reflected which accounts to seed replacement to the tune of 9.6% by CIARI varieties.

A “Seed Day” program will be organised at Mohanpur Gram Panchayat on 14/06/2019 wherein quality seed of improved rice varieties viz., CARI Dhan 4, CARI Dhan 5 and CSR 36 (Salt tolerant varieties); CARI Dhan 2, CARI Dhan 6 and CARI Dhan 7 (Medium duration varieties); Gayatri (Long duration variety) and Improved Aath Number Dhan (CARI Dhan 8 and CARI Dhan 9) will be distributed and also technical knowhow and do how will be deliberated by the expert team. In this program, the farmers are informed to  interact with the visiting team of Scientists from CIARI, Port Blair and officials from KVK and Department of Agriculture, A & N Administration and participate in the program for the benefit of farming promising varieties with scientific know how and do how gained during the session on “seed day”.

The program is Co-ordinated by Dr. P.K. Singh (PS & Nodal officer, ICAR Seed Project) under the plan and guidance of The Director, CIARI Dr. A. Kundu and organized by Division of Field Crop Improvement and Protection in collaboration with KVK (Nimbudera), Social Science Section of CIARI and Department of Agriculture, A & N Administration in a release Nodal Officer (PR) & In-charge, PME Cell said.