India, an agrarian country, grows rice (paddy) as one of its staple food crops. With changing climate patterns, water scarcity, and rising cultivation costs, farmers are increasingly looking for rice varieties that can produce good yields with less water. Keeping these needs in mind, scientists have developed several improved paddy varieties.
In this article, we introduce the top 5 paddy varieties that offer higher productivity with minimal water use. These varieties are not only environmentally friendly but also help farmers increase their income.
Developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, this variety is inspired by MTU-1010. It is specially bred for cultivation in dry and saline soils and performs well under challenging conditions. Pusa DST Rice-1 can yield about 20% more than traditional varieties, making it highly beneficial for farmers struggling with water scarcity.
Developed by the Indian Rice Research Institute (ICAR-IIRR) in Hyderabad, this variety matures early and reduces methane emissions, making it environmentally safer. DRR Dhan 100 yields approximately 19% more than conventional varieties. It matures in 100-105 days, allowing farmers to harvest their crops quickly.
This variety is designed mainly for states like Odisha and Bihar, where rainfall is erratic and irrigation facilities are limited. CR Dhan 108 is ideal for upland and rainfed cultivation. It matures in about 112 days, helping farmers harvest on time. This variety is especially useful for farmers facing irregular monsoon challenges.
Maturing in 120-125 days, Pusa-2090 yields around 34-35 quintals per acre. Besides higher productivity, it reduces the need for stubble burning, making it environmentally friendly. This variety supports better crop residue management, an added advantage for farmers practicing eco-friendly agriculture.
Swarna Sub-1 is developed for flood-prone areas. It matures in 140-145 days and can survive submerged under water for up to 14 days. The grains of this variety are short and bold, making it a reliable choice for farmers in eastern states like West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam.
These five advanced paddy varieties that yield more with less water are proving highly beneficial for farmers. They reduce dependency on irrigation and help lower production costs, thereby increasing farmers’ profitability.
If you are engaged in paddy cultivation and face water scarcity issues, adopting these varieties could be a valuable step toward sustainable and profitable farming.
