Dr. Jitu Gogoi & Dr Ranjit Saikia
In Assam, a
paradise of fertile environment for paddy cultivation, varieties of landrace
paddy have been cultivating since time immemorial because the climatic
conditions are conducive for rice cultivation and furthermore, it is consumed
as a principal food in the region. The state Assam is designated as Secondary
Centre of Rice Origin because the Brahmaputra Valley as well as the Barak
Valley is rich in paddy diversity. Assam is an agrarian state and agriculture
is mainstay of economy of the state where 70 percent of the people do
agricultural practice and rice is considered as major crop because the climate,
soil, humidity, temperature, rainfall and other related factors are favorable
for rice growing. Most of the farmers are still depend on indigenous rice
variety for cultivation since indigenous varieties are disease-resistant and
acclimatized to the climatic conditions and some of them even have capability
of thriving in submerged condition. Traditional methods of rice cultivation are
still prevailing in Assam and the practice is being continued generation after
generation for their easy and low maintenance cultivation process and for efficacy in abundant production.
Dhemaji district of Assam
is popularly known as reservoir of indigenous rice varieties because since time
immemorial, varieties of paddy have been cultivating by the populace of the
region. Among these plethora of paddy, Sali, Ahu and Boro are the prominent and
most of the farmers prefer to cultivate Sali rice in semi-submerged agro field.
Apart from the above mentioned rice varieties, Bao is an one popularly known as Red Rice is grown
abundantly in low lying and flood prone areas due to its water resistance
attributes. The robust production of red rice in the district could be
attributed to blissful monsoon rain, fertile alluvial soil and its capacity to
survive in submerged condition for prolonged period. Besides this, Bao rice is
rich in iron, protein, zinc, fibre, vitamins and anti-oxidant elements. The
nutrient rich rice has attracted the eyes of people around the world and could
captured the international market. Lotus Company, the export giant of US has
started procuring Bao paddy and many are showing interest. The export of Bao
rice has the potential to be a flourishing business. Currently, the
traditionally cultivated, organic and pure variety is in demand. For
sustainable business the farmers should stick to traditional norms while
cultivating. It is foreseen that export of Bao paddy can improve the
socio-economic condition of the poor farmers of the region.
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