Scientists at the National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) at Bidyadharpur of Cuttack have developed the variety of high-nourished paddy CR-315.
The paddy variety having more nutrition and zinc in composition has come into fruition after nearly 10 years of thorough research. The development of the new variety will enable people get more nourishment.
According to sources, this variety of paddy contains more than 8 per cent protein and 25 PPM zinc. It will meet the zinc requirement in the human body.
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The harvest time of this variety is 125 to 135 days. This Paddy has a harvest capacity of 4.5 metric tonnes per hectare. However, scientists are hopeful that if seeds are provided to farmers at discounted rates by setting its FCQ standards, the farmers will express interest in cultivating the paddy variety.
Dr Krishnandu Chattopadhyay, scientist at the NRRI, said the government plans to include it in the School Midday Meal and National Food Security Act to eradicate malnutrition.
“The objective of developing this bio-fortified paddy variety is to specifically improve zinc content in the rice. The production capacity of CR-315 is similar to high yielding variety. It has around 25 ppm zinc. Farmers will get around 5 tonnes green yield per hectare,” Chattopadhyay said.