OUAT research to focus on new agro breeds

BHUBANESWAR:  The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) has decided to lay emphasis on research of new breeds of various agro products, including paddy, jute, pulses, cotton and oilseeds in the current fiscal year.Dean (Research) S S Nanda said this year new varieties of rice like Tanmayee, Hiranmayee, Nua Acharmati, sugarcane varieties of Neelachakra and Raghunath have been released to the market.“This apart, the University has identified a few kharif onion varieties like Arka Niketan, Bhima Super and Agrifound Dark Red for cultivation in Western Odisha,” he said.It has also been decided to enhance the seed replacement rate (SRR) in the State. In the last financial year, OUAT produced 1,161 quintals of breeder seeds, 6,911 quintals of foundation seeds and 3,364 quintals of certified seeds of various crops.Special emphasis will be laid on pond- based integrated farming system in the wake of climate change. University Vice-Chancellor D P Ray said separate integrated farming models have been created which the farmers can follow.“With the State witnessing frequent climate change, it has become  necessary for farmers to cultivate two or three types of crops in one agricultural field,” he said. The VC added farmers in the 10 agro-climatic zones will be trained to take up integrated farming under which they can grow both the long-term and short-term cash crops together. “This way, even if one crop fails farmers can benefit from the short-term crops like pineapple and papayya. If they have irrigation sources, they can opt for pisciculture as well,” he said.The decisions were taken at the four-day State-level research council meeting that concluded earlier this week.Inaugurating the meeting, Development Commissioner-cum-Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) R N Senapati had said, “Research work should be done in a broader  way. New seeds should be developed to sustain adverse climatic conditions. As soil testing determines agro productivity, every block should have a soil testing centre.”In his address, Director of Agriculture and Food Production R S Gopalan underscored the need for multi-cropping system as it is beneficial to the farmers.Agriculture scientists from 51 research centres participated in the meeting which discussed various requirements for growth of agriculture in the State.