The field day on Introduction of Short aged paddy varieties was held at the field of farmer M.Kunam in Ariyalai East under the chairmanship of Mrs.T.Jegasutha Agriculture Instructor for Nallur AI range on 06.02.2019.
Paddy is normally cultivated as Rain fed cultivation in Jaffna District. This field day was conducted with the objective of Introducing Short Aged Paddy Variety to avoid the crop damage due to drought in the latter part of the cultivation.
Provincial Director of Agriculture S.Sivakumar participated in the field day as Chief Guest while Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture for Jaffna District Mrs.AnchanadeviSrirangan participated as Special Guest. Nallur Agrarian Development Officer S.Gobinath, Nallur Divisional Secretariat Development Officer G.Sajaruban and the officer in charge of Good Agriculture Practices S.Thiruvarulchelvan, Subject Matter Officers, Agricultural Instructors, and Farmers of the Nallur AI Range actively participated therein and learnt about the importance of cultivating short aged paddy varieties in Jaffna District.
The farmer Mr.M.Kunam who was selected for this demonstration cultivated “BG 300” & “BG 310” short aged paddy varieties in an extent of 0.5 acre with broadcasting method. BG 300 paddy variety is tolerant to Brown Plant Hopper damage.
Subject Matter Officer Paddy N.Niranjankumar explained the importance of cultivating short aged paddy varieties in Rain fed cultivation.
Nallur Agrarian Development Officer S.Gobinath has pointed out that there is a high demand for white rice & Paddy Marketing Board purchase white rice for high price compare to red rice.
Nallur Divisional Secretariat Development Officer G.Sajaruban told that popularizing the 3 month aged variety among Jaffna farmers to help them for overcome the drought and also they can able to cultivate paddy in water shortage areas.
Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture, Jaffna Mrs.AnchanadeviSrirangan has explained that cultivating short aged paddy varieties instead of 4 – 41/2 month Paddy varieties helps to avoid crop damages due to climate change and pest and disease attack and obtain maximum yield.
Provincial Director of Agriculture S.Sivakumar has pointed out in Northern Province cultivable land available for Paddy cultivation is 100,000 ha but 95,000 ha is cultivated. Per capita consumption of rice is 105kg/person/year. Population in Jaffna District is about 650,000 and not sufficient paddy production for the population. To achieve self-sufficiency we have to increase the yield by using row seeders. Row seeding help to maintain optimum crop density and leads to minimize Leaf folder & Brown Plant Hopper damage.
