krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), attached to the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) here, on Saturday introduced a high yielding paddy variety at a function hosted at Vayalamkuzhy, Chemnad village near here.
The Frontline demonstration on harvesting new paddy variety – ‘Pratyasa’ -- was carried out by District Panchayat President P.P. Shyamala Devi, by inaugurating the field day and the harvest festival.
Addressing the function, Ms. Shyamala Devi underscored the significance of mechanisation in the paddy farming to tide over the acute shortage of traditional farm labourers.
She also lauded efforts of the KVK for organising such demonstrations in the paddy fields to educate the farmers about the latest varieties and technologies for earning higher income from the cultivation.
The District Panchayat President also expressed her concern over the conversion of paddy fields for commercial purposes which could eventually pose threat to food security.
R. Dhanapal, Director-in-Charge CPCRI presiding over the function stressed the need for growing suitable high yielding paddy varieties to enhance productivity and income from the cultivation.
The high yielding paddy variety demonstrated by the KVK was released by Kerala Agricultural University, KVK said in a statement.
K. Manikandan, Programme Assistant addressed the gathering and briefed about the aspects involved in the cultivation and the advantages of new paddy variety.
