The Rice Innovator of Sikkim

Suman Gazmer*

Kailash Rana Manger, a progressive farmer from Sikkim, has been recognized as ‘Rice Innovator’ by the Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendra Nagar in Hyderabad. He received this appreciation for innovations in rice cultivation during the ‘Innovative Rice Farmers Meet 2011’ held in August at Hyderabad which was attended by 26 progessive farmers of different States of the country.

Manger hails from Chota Singtam, Saramsa had been appreciated for his innovative replacement of ‘Kalo Nuniya Dhaan’ in place of local scented variety for a high yield, fragrance and fixed black coloured grants. With 20 years of experience in farming, Mangar gave his presentation on ‘Kalo Nuniya Dhaan’ during the meet at Hyderabad. ‘Kalo Nuniya Dhaan’, a scented rice cultivar was first brought from a progressive farmer of Maal Bazaar, Jalpaiguri and is capable replacing of local rice variety Dudha and Tulsi.

Mangar does farming in 3 acres land on lease basis of Rs. 20,000 per annum and had introduced this new variety of rice last year by obtaining 3 kgs of seed from a progressive farmer of Jalpaiguri. He sowed the seeds using the System of Rice Intensification technique with guidance from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Saramsa under Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). The production was 4 quintals of rice which surprised him as it was four times more as compared to the other local varieties.

Mangar sold the produce at Rs. 8000 per quintal. He used to sale local variety at Rs. 2200-2500 per quintal. This year, Mangar is expecting a harvest of 16 quintals of rice from 6 kgs of seed. He explained that the ‘Kalo Nuniya Dhaan’ plant has 25-28 tillers per hill with panicles of 20-20 cm and 156 grains per panicle. Not only the rice, even the straw of this variety is highly demanded as it has good nutritious value and is used as fodder for cattle.

Mangar pointed out that many farmers have given up agriculture due to increasing labour costs. Farmers who have small holdings can go for this variety of rice which is much profitable, he said. This package of practices is standardized by the farmers and the cultivar is being adopted by farmers of different villages of the East District. The demand of Kalo Nuniya Rice is very high in other States as the farmers from Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad already demanded him for seeds, he revealed.

Mangar’s hard work is not only limited to agriculture as he also does horticulture cultivating cabbage, cauliflower, Broccoli, Baby Corn and other vegetables. He has been able to sell Baby Corn produce worth Rs. 11,000. He is earning Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum through farming.

The farmer is also a beneficiary of Department of Biotechnology Project of the KVK. He was provided seeds of ginger and Large Cardamom of tissue culture by the KVK. His farming methods are being monitored by the KVK which also extends technical support and seed material to him. (PIB )

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Disclaimer: The writer is a freelance journalist and the views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB.

* Freelance journalist

SS-200/SF-200/27.12.2011

RTS/HSN