Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Seed Sub-Committee convened on Wednesday under the leadership of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment (DA&FE), to approve the release of new agricultural crop varieties in the state.
During the meeting, three non-paddy varieties were approved: OUAT Kalinga Maize 1 (Khushi), and two high-yielding mustard varieties, OUAT Kalinga Mustard 2 (Samrudhhi) and OUAT Kalinga Mustard 3 (Siddhi).
Additionally, four paddy varieties from OUAT—OUAT Kalinga Rice-3 (Sampada), OUAT Kalinga Rice-12 (Paraja), OUAT Kalinga Rice-12A (Padmaja), and OUAT Kalinga Rice-14 (Shreepada)—along with seven paddy varieties from CRRI, Cuttack, namely CR Dhan 215 (Indumati), CR Dhan 325 (Salila), CR Dhan 334 (Satyadev), CR Dhan 335 (Alok), CR Dhan 604 (Kalpana), CR Dhan 705 (Ganga), and CR Dhan 912 (Ashutosh Mehek) were also considered for release.
“These paddy and non-paddy varieties will help increase farmers’ income. Besides, cultivating these varieties is a step toward making our future more sustainable and climate-resilient,” Dr. Padhee stated.
The committee emphasized the importance of climate resilience, short crop duration, and nutritional value in future crop development.
Highlights of the approved varieties include:
- OUAT Kalinga Maize 1 (Khushi): Performs well under Kharif rainfed dry spell stress; ideal for maize-dominant districts such as Nabarangpur.
- OUAT Kalinga Rice-3 (Sampada): Suitable for puffed rice with antioxidant properties; fits rice-based cropping systems.
- OUAT Kalinga Rice-12A (Padmaja): Bio-fortified and suitable for organic farming.
- OUAT Kalinga Rice-14 (Shreepada): Bio-fortified with high iron and antioxidants; will replace the popular variety ‘Swarna’ (MTU-7029).
- CR Dhan 215 (Indumati): Tolerant of aerobic and saline conditions; recommended for coastal districts.
- CR Dhan 604 (Kalpana): Resistant to stem borer, leaf folder, and gall midge; tolerant to low temperatures and terminal heat.
- CR Dhan 912 (Ashutosh Mehek): Aromatic variety resistant to leaf folder and stem borer.
The meeting was attended by Director of Agriculture & Food Production Shubham Saxena, along with officials from OUAT and the Agriculture Department.
