Paddy seed production provides supplementary income to farmers

Seed production enhances returns for paddy cultivators in the wake of the growing demand for quality seeds, said scientists at a day-long training programme on “production of quality paddy seeds” organised at Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Vamban near here on Saturday.

They said that most farmers found it difficult to purchase quality seeds and, hence, production of seeds of high-yielding varieties would go a long way in ensuring more returns.

L. Nirmala, Programme Co-ordinator, said that farmers should be fully aware of the importance of season-specific demand for quality seeds. For instance, during the forthcoming ‘kuruvai’ season, the demand for quality Co-51 variety released by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University would be on the rise. “Being the short duration fine variety, ‘kuruvai’ farmers will opt for this variety,” she said appealing to farmers to produce seeds for such varieties.

M. Kathiravan, Assistant Professor Seed Sciences, in his power-point presentation, said seed production fetched more income for farmers. For instance, quality seeds would fetch a returns of up to Rs. 50,000 an acre.

He said that April-May and December-January were the two ideal ‘pattam’ when farmers could go in for raising quality seeds.

Selection of fields for raising paddy seeds was more important. Fields where the same paddy variety had been raised earlier would be more conducive. “Fields where other varieties had been harvested earlier often cause variation in the characteristic and botanical behaviour of seeds, resulting in quality of seeds,” he warned. The fields should be free from weeds and pest attack.

A question hour session was held in which farmers got their doubts clarified.

“Farmers should be fully aware of the importance of season-specific demand for quality seeds”

Source : The Hindu