M F AHMED
Daltonganj, Oct 22: Sixteen progressive farmers of a nondescript village Dumar Hatha under Mohammadganj block have added a new chapter in paddy cultivation in Palamu.
These 16 farmers under the banner of ‘Veer Kuar Singh Krishak Sewa Sahkari Samiti Ltd’, led by a young, energetic and enterprising farmer Priya Ranjan Singh, are growing black paddy in 20 acres of land.
They are experimenting with just two varieties of the black paddy called Cha kho and Kala Namak Kiran.
Black paddy has a somewhat black history. In ancient China, black paddy was s forbidden cultivation and poor peasants there were not allowed to grow it because this grain was the sole monopoly of the aristocracy there.
Priya Ranjan Singh said that back here in Palamu, these 16 farmers procured seeds of black paddy from Assam. The idea to grow this crop came from the authorities of Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University Pusa in Samastipur, Bihar.
One quintal of black seeds was bought from Assam at the rate of 300 rupees per kilogram.
The crop will be ready for harvesting from mid-November, said Priya Ranjan Singh.
The difference between black paddy and white/brown paddy is that the former requires less water than the traditional ones.
The farmers hope to have a yield of at least 20 quintals of black paddy in their first venture.
The farmers’ outfit ‘Veer Kuar Singh Krishak Sewa Sahkari Samiti Ltd’ has decided to preserve 50% of the yield for seeds and the remaining 50% is to be put on sale.
According to the sources, black paddy is four times more expensive than the common one. It is to be seen how it goes about here. It also has many benefits. This crop helps strengthen eyes, heart, acts as a major antioxidant and for the weight concerned youths helps in weight loss too.
