Punjab Agricutlutre department officials said that there should be quality and price control while the private companies are selling these hybrid seeds in Punjab.

Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba 

Punjab’s Paddy milling sector began storing paddy in their rice shellers quite late this season, and even then, only in limited amounts. Along with other issues, the sector has become entangled in a major controversy over certain hybrid rice seeds. While hybrid rice has been globally recognized for boosting productivity, rice millers in Punjab have raised concerns about the milling outturn (OTR) of these varieties, questioning their suitability despite positive results in national trials. This debate highlights the broader challenges in Punjab surrounding the adoption of hybrid rice. What exactly is this controversy, and how much area is covered by these varieties in Punjab?

Which hybrid rice varieties are under scrutiny?

The main varieties being questioned are Sava 7501, Sava 7301, and 468. These hybrids have been widely planted across several other Indian states but are facing opposition from rice millers in Punjab.

How much of Punjab’s rice area is planted with these hybrid varieties?

According to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, in the 2023-24 season, approximately 2% of the total rice area was under three specific hybrid varieties: 1.20% under 7301, 0.56% under 7501, and 0.22% under 468, totaling around 1.98%. This year, the area under 7501 and 7301 is expected to increase to approximately 5% as around 1,400 tonnes of seed were supplied to Punjab. Since 4 kg of seed is required to grow a nursery for one acre, this supply could cover around 3.5 lakh acres. In Punjab, around 32 lakh hectares are under rice cultivation, including nearly 26 lakh hectares under paddy (non-Basmati), suggesting that hybrid paddy varieties could cover about 5% of the total area.

“Around 1,300 to 1,400 tonnes of seed of the Savanna varieties were supplied to Punjab this year, and these varieties have faced skepticism in Punjab for the first time this year while these are being grown here for the past three years. However, 7501 is notified for Punjab by the Government of India after extensive tests and trials, and 7301 is notified for other states except Punjab,” said Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds Pvt Ltd.

Why are Punjab’s rice millers concerned about these varieties?

Rice millers argue that these hybrids result in lower milling outturn (OTR), leading to financial losses. While OTR should be at least 67% (as per Food Corporation of India standards), millers claim these hybrids are giving just 60 to 63% outturn and cause excessive breakage during milling, though research contradicts this.

What do experts from seed industry representatives say?

They said that these concerns, however, appear to stem from factors unrelated to the seeds themselves: There are several studies available which witnesses Harvest Moisture Management. Proper milling recovery is highly dependent on grain moisture levels. Harvesting at a moisture level of 22–23% and sun-drying to around 16–17% for FCI purchase, followed by milling at 13–14% moisture, is essential to achieve optimal results. Delayed harvesting due to logistical challenges in paddy purchase has resulted in moisture loss, which negatively impacts OTR and increases breakage. Experts also said that majority Punjab millers need to upgrade the technology in their respective mills for getting better OTR results.

Rana added that the 7501 variety, with a duration of 130 days, yields around 38 to 40 quintals per acre, while the 7301 variety, with a duration of 125 days, yields about 34 quintals per acre. He noted that the area under paddy hybrid varieties in Punjab is among the lowest in the country compared to states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, UP, and Haryana, where 25% to 40% of the area is under hybrids, with no reported issues in milling outturn.

“Sava 7501Tested by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Kharif 2022, Sava 7501 demonstrated 13.73% higher yield compared to local check varieties. Also with a strong milling output it achieved an average milling outturn (OTR) of 72.5% and a head rice recovery (HRR) of 63.47%, both exceeding Food Corporation of India (FCI) standards. ICAR trials across multiple zones, including Punjab, confirmed these high milling results. Similarly, Sava 7301 has shown impressive results in ICAR trials, achieving an OTR of 70.8% and HRR of 63.9%, both well above FCI norms. Both varieties, notified by the Government of India, have proven their reliability across diverse agro-climatic zones and are supported by extensive testing from, ICAR, and internal research. Designed with advanced traits to reduce water and fuel needs, they contribute to sustainability while improving grain quality and farm productivity,” said Rana, adding that such varities are launched after lots of trials and tests as for first time commercial launch of our hybrids in Punjab, we organized milling demonstration of our hybrid Sava 127 in the mill of Mr. Tarsem Saini (President of rice millers association) in the presence of nearly 30-40 millers on 6.01.2013”. Ajai Rana refutes the millers’ concerns and said that a wrong narrative is being set.

Are hybrid rice varieties popular worldwide?

Experts said. Hybrid rice has seen global success, especially in countries like China and the USA. The government of India has also supported hybrid adoption under initiatives like the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to enhance food security. Because land holdings are limited but hybrid seeds offer higher productivity.

“Hybrid rice is a proven technology in major rice-producing countries worldwide. China and the USA lead in adopting this technology. Average rice productivity in these countries is between 7–9 metric tons per hectare, while India’s rice productivity is only 4.3 metric tons per hectare. Hybrid rice is more efficient and productive than traditional varieties, offering a shorter crop cycle, better moisture stress tolerance, and higher yields. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducts nationwide coordinated trials to test new hybrids and varieties before they are officially released. Meeting milling recovery standards, as per FCI norms, is also essential for the release and notification of new hybrids,” said Rana while admitting that hybrid seeds are prepared every year and they are costly than the other prevelent seeds.

Punjab Agricutlutre department officials said that there should be quality and price control while the private companies are selling these hybrid seeds in Punjab.

Published Date: November 4, 2024