Odisha's New Crop Varieties: A Step Towards Climate Resilience and High Yields

Innovative Crop Varieties Approved in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Seed Sub-Committee, led by Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, convened on Wednesday to endorse the introduction of several new crop varieties that are both high-yielding and resilient to climate challenges. During this session, the committee sanctioned three non-paddy varieties developed by the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

One of the highlighted varieties, OUAT Kalinga Maize 1 (Khushi), has demonstrated excellent performance under dry spell conditions typical of the Kharif season, making it particularly advantageous for maize-centric regions like Nabarangpur. Additionally, two mustard varieties, OUAT Kalinga Mustard 2 (Samrudhhi) and OUAT Kalinga Mustard 3 (Siddhi), were also approved, both noted for their impressive yield and oil content.

Furthermore, the committee approved four new paddy varieties from OUAT and seven from the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack. Among these, OUAT Kalinga Rice 3 (Sampada) is distinguished for its suitability for puffed rice and its antioxidant properties. Another variety, OUAT Kalinga Rice 12A (Padmaja), is bio-fortified and ideal for organic farming, while OUAT Kalinga Rice 14 (Shreepada), also bio-fortified and rich in iron and antioxidants, is being positioned as a potential alternative to the popular Swarna (MTU-7029) variety.

From the CRRI, CR Dhan 215 (Indumati) is well-suited for aerobic and saline environments, making it perfect for coastal areas. CR Dhan 604 (Kalpana) is recognized for its ability to withstand low temperatures during the seedling phase and heat stress during reproduction, along with pest resistance. Lastly, CR Dhan 912 (Ashutosh Mehek), an aromatic variety, is resistant to common pests like leaf folder and stem borer.

During the meeting, Padhee emphasized the importance of focusing on climate resilience, shorter crop cycles, and nutritional improvements in the development of future crop varieties.