Paddy variety ‘PR 122’ leaves ‘PR 121’ behind at Kisan Mela

Although farmers had to stand in long queues to buy seeds at PAU,some lamented that private companies with stalls outside the campus were giving seeds at the same rate. They also complained that basmati seeds were available only for half a kg and not more than that.

“PAU is for the benefit of farmers. But companies are too giving it for 100/kg like PAU,” said Baldev Singh from Moga. “Then what is the benefit to us for buying it from PAU?”

However,Manjit Singh from Sangrur said,“PAU seeds have guarantee. Although they are costly,we know they will give good yield.”

PAU termed PR 121 a replacement to PAU 201. “PAU 201 had great yield and nutritional values but shellers refused to pick it because of dull and brownish colour. Thus we have given PR 121 as replacement to it with equal nutrition and yield but shining and slender grain,” said Dr Jagtar Dhiman,additional director,research,PAU.

Jaswant Singh,a farmer from Sangrur,said,“PR 122 has better yield of 31.5 quintal/acre as compared to PR 121 having 30.5 q/acre but the major factor is what if like PAU 201 shellers refuse to pick PR 121. What if it too yields brown and dull grains? Moreover,PR 122 harvests 147 days and PR 121 in 140 days,long period is better to save water.”

Sukhvinder Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib,complaining about unavailability of basmati varieties,Punjab Basmati 3 and PUSA 1509,said,“What will we do after sowing half a kg only? We are standing in long queues but only half a kg is available for basmati varieties. It is of no use for us.”

Dr S S Randhawa,director seeds,PAU,said,“I don’t know about private sellers but this is the minimum we can offer. Farmers should understand that we are in no profit making and we too have to survive anyhow.”