Indrani Rice Revolutionizes Agriculture in East Midnapur: High-Yield Variety Promises Boost for Farmers"

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 30, 2024, East Midnapur, West Bengal — A breakthrough in rice cultivation is transforming farming in East Midnapur, as local farmers experience significant success with a new, high-yielding rice variety known as Indrani NP 7061. Developed by the agricultural research institute Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, this new variety is set to address the growing concerns over decreasing rice production in West Bengal and broader agricultural decline in the region.

Agricultural experts attribute the region's dwindling rice yields to a combination of climate change and frequent pest infestations, with overall agricultural production in West Bengal taking a hit in recent years. However, Indrani rice promises to be a game-changer, offering a solution to these pressing challenges. With its exceptional disease resistance, Indrani rice requires less pesticide application and is less vulnerable to insect attacks, making it an attractive choice for farmers struggling with crop losses.

Farmers in Krishnapur village in Potashpur, East Midnapur, have already reported promising results from cultivating Indrani. The variety is particularly resilient in flood-prone areas, where fields can remain submerged for days without causing significant damage to the plants. Its longer stem also makes harvesting easier, while the sturdy grains ensure a high-quality, consistent yield.

Experts from Nuziveedu Seeds Limited emphasize that Indrani rice is tailored for a variety of soil types and climate conditions, allowing farmers to adapt more easily to the challenges posed by changing weather patterns. The high disease resistance and consistent yield of Indrani also make it an economically viable option for farmers, who have seen their livelihoods suffer from unpredictable weather and pest attacks.

In an effort to further promote this innovative rice variety, a series of celebrity-driven mega shows were organized in Sarsa village (Birbarpur) and Krishnapur village. The events featured performances by comedian Maku and renowned Bolpur artist Uttam Das Baul. Uttam Das Baul even composed and performed a song celebrating the success of Indrani rice, while comedian Maku entertained farmers with humorous anecdotes that also highlighted the economic benefits of the new rice variety.

"The key advantage of Indrani rice is that it ripens uniformly and all the grains are of the same size and length, which significantly eases the harvesting process," said Maku during his performance. "This means less labor and higher efficiency for farmers, ultimately leading to greater profits."

Local authorities are hopeful that Indrani rice will not only help to revive the region's agricultural sector but also improve the economic stability of the farming community in East Midnapur. As farmers adopt this high-yield variety, they expect to see a rapid increase in both crop production and income, offering a sustainable solution to the challenges facing West Bengal's agriculture.

As the success of Indrani rice continues to spread, it could serve as a model for other areas in the state and beyond, offering a much-needed boost to the agricultural economy in the face of climate change and environmental stress.