SARBHANG

Farmers threshing Rice using pedal thresher

A farmers’ field day was jointly conducted by the Renewable Natural Resource (RNR) Research Sub-centre, Bhur and Dzongkhag Agriculture sector, Sarpang at Darjay Thang in Shompangkha gewog under Sarpang Dzongkhag on 20^th November 2009. The field day was conducted to create awareness on the promising improved rice varieties for different ecosystems, evaluate the performance of improved variety (IR 72102) vis-à-vis traditional varieties and to provide opportunities for the farmers to interact with researchers and extensionists. The Program Director, RNRRC Bajo graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Gups, Mangmis and farmers from Gelephu, Bhur, Dekiling, Shompangkha and Hillay Gewogs, Extension Agents, Staff of Regional Agriculture Machinery Centre (RAMC) and researchers participated the field day.

Through rigorous research, RNR RSC-Bhur has identified two promising varieties IR 72102 and Karjat 3 for irrigated ecosystems and APO and IR70181-5 for the rainfed ecosystem respectively. These varieties were introduced from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines. After 5 years of evaluation at the station in RNR RSC-Bhur, IR 72102 was taken to the farmers’ fields in 2007 for evaluation under farmers’ management practices. Farmers in Darjay Thang under Shompangkha gewog in Sarpang saved seeds from the 2007 trial cultivated the variety in 2008 and in 2009, 25 farmers have cultivated the variety in about 12 acres.

Chief guest, RC - Bajo Program Director inaugurating rice harvest

All the participants visited the farmers’ fields and evaluated the performance of IR 72102 and local varieties cultivated under farmers’ management practices. Crop cuts were taken, threshed and assessed the yield. Crop cut results were presented and views on the performance of the improved variety and local varieties were exchanged and discussed. Farmers who have cultivated and tasted IR 72102 informed the gathering that IR 72102 is high yielding and taste similar to their popular local variety Champa. Participants also exchanged views on the promising rainfed varieties and System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

RAMC informed the farmers about the efficiency of farm machineries and their objective to encourage and promote farm machineries as a labour saving device. Demonstrations on rice harvesting using a reaper and rice threshing using a pedal thresher were conducted.

All the farmers who participated the field day expressed their interest in cultivating IR 72102 and requested seeds for cultivation in 2010. For this, RSC-Bhur and Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, Sarpang agreed to jointly explore and mobilize the seeds to the interested farmers.

The average rice yield of Sarpang Dzongkhag is 751 Kg/acre which is the lowest yield of all the Dzongkhags in the country. Promoting cultivation of IR 72102 will provide an alternative option to the farmers besides the only available improved variety BR 153 and enhance yield which will contribute towards enhancing household rice self-sufficiency and food security.

Reported by: Wangda Dukpa, Neelam Pradhan and Sangay Wangdi in Ministry of Agriculture