IT News
Imphal, Nov 7:
A field day focusing on rice variety RC-Maniphou-16 under the Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) initiative was organized by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Chandel at Riverlane village in Chandel district. The event aimed to demonstrate to local farmers the benefits of INM in enhancing the yield, productivity, and economic viability of this rice variety.
Dr. Khumlo Levish, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy) at ICAR-KVK Chandel, provided an overview of RC-Maniphou-16, a newly released semi-dwarf, medium-duration rice variety from ICAR’s Manipur Centre. With good management, this variety can yield up to 7-8 tons per hectare and is resistant to leaf and neck blast diseases. Dr. Levish emphasized that the rice has soft cooking quality with low amylose content, a quality much appreciated by the people of Manipur. She also explained that INM improves rice yields by reducing nutrient losses, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and promoting soil health, making it a valuable tool for climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Levish encouraged farmers to use fertilizers judiciously to protect soil health and ensure long-term sustainability.
Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK Chandel, Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, also spoke, urging farmers to adopt INM practices and limit the use of inorganic fertilizers. She highlighted that such practices contribute to sustaining crop productivity while maintaining ecological balance.
The field day featured a Scientist-Farmer interaction session, with contributions from ICAR-KVK Chandel experts, including Ts. Leenda Monsang (Plant Breeding), Dr. K. Sonamani Singh (Soil and Water Conservation Engineering), Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi (Home Science), and Ps. Lavid Anal (Horticulture).
