Unproven hybrid varieties mixed with PR 126 behind fall in yield, says PAU

A study by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found that hybrid varieties mixed with PR 126 have led to a drop in rice yield and increased breakage.

The study, authorized by the state government, following the protest of millers who have refused to grind PR-126, citing apprehensions about the yield ratio (rice yield), stating that these may have been mixed with hybrid varieties.

According to Food Corporation of India (FCI) norms, for every 100 kg of rice, the miller must provide at least 67 kg of rice, with 75% whole grain.

The PAU study found that the percentage of whole grain in some of the hybrids was as low as 40%. The tests carried out by PAU also found different degrees of breakage percentage in the hybrids, reaching up to 60%.

The vice-chancellor of PAU, Dr. SS Gosal, has defended the PR126 varieties, stating that it is “tried and proven”. However, he added that it must be ensured that only varieties recommended by PAU and not those recommended by unscrupulous seed sellers are allowed to be grown.

“We are careful about which varieties are grown,” he added.

In tests conducted by the university, some hybrids were found to return only 40% of 67 kg of whole grain rice, while that of PR 126 meets all standards.

The PR 126 variety was developed by PAU and recommended for farmers. While the hybrids, Gosal said, were prepared by private companies and were neither recommended nor tested by the university.

“Different companies around the country develop their own hybrids and even test them where they develop them, but this does not mean that it will give similar results. We only recommend a variety after testing it under local conditions for at least three years” , he said. The trial reports will be handed over to the government soon.

Tarsem Saini, president of the Punjab Rice Millers Association, said that until their concerns are addressed, the millers will not agree to mill rice.

“Last year, the yield ratio (rice yield) was only 62% and had a breakage of 30-40%, much above the permissible norm of 25%. This led to losses in millers. Now, until the government guarantees us the quality of the paddy or compensates the losses incurred, we will not lift the paddy,” he said, adding that farmers mix different varieties when they take the produce to the mandis.

Paddy was sown over 32 lakh hectares in Punjab, out of which basmati was cultivated over 6.80 lakh hectares and PR126 over 14 lakh hectares. The variety has replaced the long-running PUSA 44 water-guzzler.