Overcoming Low Farm Returns Limitations through Cultivation of Improved Rice Variety in the Aspirational District of Chandel

Rice is the most significant kharif crop of Chandel district of Manipur State, being cultivated over an area of 23,520 ha. Traditionally, the cultivators in the district grow local varieties of rice viz., Drum, Thoibi etc. However; the productivity of rice in the existing scenario is not very remunerative. The major reasons identified by the KVK for low productivity of rice include use of local seed, high incidence of neck blast and non-adoption of modern agricultural practices by the farmers. The low yield of local rice varieties and consequently low economic returns has severely affected the morale of the farmers especially the younger lot. Rice produced by the farmers has mostly been only for personal consumption and there was a very little marketed surplus available in the district. The farmers get 15-20 per cent lesser yield as compared to the farmers of neighbouring districts. Observing the lack of motivation in the rice growers of the district, KVK Chandel popularized RC Maniphou-13. This variety besides is not only resistant to neck blast but also gets harvested within 100 days which helps in saving residual moisture for secondary crop. It thus improves cropping system and farm income. The age-old mono cropping system has been discarded and rapeseed cultivation is taken up. The average productivity of rice increased from 37.33 to 59.66 q/ha giving an increase of 37.42 per cent in grain yield against that of traditional varieties. The additional yield of 22.33 q/ha helped the farmers to gain a net income of Rs. 1,47,810/ha with a B:C of 2.94.