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Pusa-44
Context
Punjab has once again banned the sale and sowing of Pusa-44 paddy, a water-intensive rice variety, along with several other hybrid types, for the upcoming Kharif season. The ban is aimed at conserving groundwater, as the state faces serious risks of desertification in the next two decades due to over-extraction.
Why is Pusa-44 a problem?
- Pusa-44, also known as Peele Pusa, is a long-duration water-guzzler paddy variety.
- Issues:
- Takes longer to mature: Around 143 days, compared to 110-120 days for other varieties.
- Needs more water: Around 50 extra days of puddling, meaning more groundwater is used through tubewells.
- Poor milling quality: High moisture content, broken grains (up to 50%), and more straw make it less profitable.
- Harder to sell at MSP: Due to high moisture and broken grains, farmers struggle to get the minimum support price.
- Energy consumption: Last year, banning it saved electricity worth Rs 477 crore that would have powered water pumps.
- Most farmers are likely to shift to: PR-126 and PR-131. These varieties are shorter duration, less water-intensive, and preferred by rice millers.
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