(a) the details of regions where rice is grown using highly arsenic-contaminated water, district-wise;
(b) whether the Government has taken/proposed any steps to resolve the problem of arsenic-contaminated rice in States where arsenic level is more than the limit set by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS); and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
???? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) to (c): No such details where rice is grown using highly arsenic-contaminated water are available, however, the following remedial measures have been recommended by ICAR to minimize the problem of arsenic as and where it may be reported:
i. Growing of relatively arsenic tolerant rice varieties Muktashri (IET 21845), IET 1444, IET-4786, IET-9947 and IET-17430, Gotrabhog, Nayanmoni, and Shatabdi.
ii. Direct Seeded Rice using drum seeder and seed drill
iii. Conjunctive use of ground and surface water.
iv. Recharge of groundwater with harvested rainwater.
v. Increased use of farmyard manure (FYM) and other manures such as green manure crops.
vi. Application of appropriate amendments (zinc/iron salts as and wherever applicable).
vii. Boro rice requiring more groundwater should be replaced with other suitable and less water demanding crops.
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