Farmers, extension functionaries and scientists’ interaction meeting on “Mundastu Varisaagu – Nuthana Vari Vangadalu” at KVK, Wyra on 19.05.2023

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a member of the grass family and one of the most important crops at the global level. It is used as a staple food in most countries around the world and contributes about 60–70% of total calories and one-third of daily protein requirement in diets of Indians. It is an essential crop for over half of world’s population providing 21.0% of global human per capita energy and 15.0% of per capita protein. Rice was domesticated approximately 8000 years ago and is today a staple crop and everyday necessity for three billion people worldwide. It has proven its importance in building civilizations and shaping societies apart from feeding the world. Thousands of years ago, domestication of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon). The genus Oryza consists of 23 species and the wild rice is believed to be the immediate progenitor of the cultivated rice. Records from the Han dynasty date back over 2,000 years, distinguish between two types of rice: Keng and Hsien, which are now known as japonica (short grained) and indica (long grained). It has influenced the culture, diets and economics of millions of people. “Rice is life" for more than half of humanity. The United Nations designated 2004 as the International Year of Rice, recognizing its importance in the lives of millions of people. In this context, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wyra organized farmers, extension professionals and scientists’ interaction meeting on “Mundastu varisagu – Nuthana vari vangadalu” to farmers and extension functionaries on 19.05.2023. The programme was attended by Dr. P. Raghurami Reddy, Principal Scientist (Rice), Dr. R. Uma Reddy, ADR, RARS, Warangal, Mr. T. Rana Pratap, REAC member, PJTSAU, Mrs. M. Vijayanirmala, JDA, Khammam, Dr. K. Rukmini Devi, Senior Scientist & Head (Breeding), ARS, Madhira, ARI Scientists, Dr. L. Krishna, Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), Rice section, Dr. T. Kiran Babu, Scientist (Plant Pathology), Dr. Laxmi Narayanamma, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Kothagudem, Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator, scientists Dr. Jessie Suneetha W, Dr. V. Chaitanya, Dr. K. Ravi Kumar, Mrs. P. S. M. Phanisri along with all the farmers, ADAs, MAOs and AEOs of Khammam District wherein the need for early sowing of paddy for Kharif 2023 were discussed to reduce cost of cultivation and facilitate the early sowing in Rabi for paddy thereby overcoming the weathers faced during Rabi 2022. The farmers and extension functionaries interacted with scientists of the university regarding the various varieties of rice that are available to reduce the water required per hectare of paddy cultivation. During this meeting, scientists discussed about the newly released varieties in rice which are suitable for Kharif and Rabi having good yield potential.