RICE PRODUCTION IN WEST BENGAL

Rice Seasons Season Duration Characteristics Aus (Autumn) April - September Upland, light soil condition, rainfed Aman (Kharif) June - November Medium to lowland, soil moisture retained for longer period, rainfed, long duration varieties ; suffers from flooding, drought and coastal salinity Boro (summer) Nov./Dec - May Low land irrigated

Rice Area (m ha) % Boro area 10.07 26.4 41.7 Characteristic Year India WB Bangladesh Total 2005-10 43.77 5.72 11.0 Kharif/Aman area 39.36 4.21 5.91 Autumn/Aus 0.28 1.03 Boro 4.41 1.51 4.06 % Boro area 10.07 26.4 41.7

Rice Productivity (t/ha) Characteristic Year India WB Bangladesh (2010-11) Total 2009-10 2.20 2.55 2.94 Kharif/ Aman 2.02 2.4 2.29 Autumn/Aus 1.46 2.18 2.05 Boro 3.05 2.99 3.90

Stress prone area (m ha) Total Drought prone (%) Flood prone (%) Coastal salinity WB 5.72 1.46 (26) 1.03 (18) 0.44 (8) Bangladesh 11 3.3 (30) 2.86 (26) 1.98 (18)

Few facts about Rice Production in India & Bangladesh Rice productivity in Bangladesh (BD) increased during 20 yrs period of 1990-91 to 2010-11 from 1.71 to 2.94 t/ha whereas in India ,it rose from 1.75 to 2.2 t/ha. During same period rice production in BD almost doubled, from 17.78 mt to 33.91 mt, whereas in India, it increased from 74.29 to 95.33 million tonnes. From 1997-98 to 2010-11, the Boro area in BD increased from 28% to 42% and productivity from 2.8 t/ha to 3.9 t/ha due to irrigation increase from shallow TWs, better yielding varieties and high fertilizer use. In WB during last 10 years there was increase in productivity of Aus (20-22%) and Aman but Boro remained stagnant (1999-2008)

Reasons for higher productivity in Bangladesh Larger boro rice area (42%) with 100% irrigation. Boro contributes 55% of total rice production. Primarily HYVs and hybrids (approx. 7%) Good boro season rice varieties Higher (2430 mm annual) & extended period (May to October) rain fall Soils suitable for rice, generally heavy textured & fertile.

Suggested varieties for WB Aus: In major areas like Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Dinajpur, Murshidabad and Nadia there is need to evaluate/promote HYVs and hybrids. Aman: In Gangetic / Damodar/ Kangsaboti river plains promote flood tolerant (Sub1) varieties Replace Swarna with Swarna-Sub1 particularly in Hooghly, Burdwan, Lowlands of Murshidabad, Nadia, 24 parganas (North), Howrah, Purba Medinipur etc. In Western part promote drought tolerant varieties like Sahbhagi dhan, Susk Samrat. For coastal areas salinity tolerant vareities (e.g CR dhan 405/406; CSR 36; IR64-Saltol) may be more suitable. Varieties with both flash flood and salinity tolerance are needed. Boro Promotion of hybrids & HYVs suited for boro. For coastal areas promote salinity tolerant varieties like CR dhan 405 (IR64-Saltol; BR28-Saltol etc.)

Suggested Actions for WB Immediate Characterization of stress-prone areas Development and implementation of varietal and seed plan for different areas and seasons Replace mega variety Swarna (MTU2029) with its improved version (Swarna Sub1) Varietal replacement Promote drought tolerant rice varieties in drought-prone areas Improve seed replacement Ensuring availability of quality seed of suitable varieties Increase in boro area by increasing irrigation facilities and promoting salinity tolerant rice varieties in coastal saline areas Timely seeding & transplanting

Suggested Actions Long term Increase boro area by increasing irrigation facilities. Develop better HYVs & hybrids for boro and aus seasons Multiple stress tolerant (salinity + submergence tolerant \; stagnant flood + flash flood; drought + submergence tolerant) rice varieties particularly for Aman

Policy Issues Collaboration among SAARC countries Varietal and seed exchange Joint evaluation of varieties Acceptance of research data from one country for the varietal release in other country Joint release of varieties for more than one country for similar agro-climatic condition etc.