1. What are short duration varieties of rice?
Short duration varieties of rice are rice cultivars that have a shorter growth cycle and maturity period compared to traditional varieties. These varieties reach maturity and are ready for harvest in a relatively shorter span of time.
2. How does the use of short duration rice varieties impact stubble burning?
Short duration rice varieties mature earlier and produce less residual crop stubble after harvest. This reduction in stubble minimizes the need for burning to clear fields for the next crop. Burning of crop residue, especially rice stubble, contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation.
3. Why is the PR-126 variety of rice significant in Punjab?
PR-126 is a variety of rice that matures faster and leaves behind less stubble after harvest. In Punjab, where paddy cultivation is prominent, this variety offers a potential solution to reduce stubble burning, which contributes to air pollution in the region.
4. How did floods in July impact paddy cultivation in Punjab?
Floods in July led to the destruction of the initial paddy crop. As a result, farmers were forced to re-sow paddy using the PR-126 variety, which turned out to be a positive development in terms of reducing stubble burning.
5. What percentage of paddy area in Punjab is under the PR-126 variety?
Nearly 50% of the paddy cultivation area in Punjab has been sown with the PR-126 variety. This marks a departure from the traditional use of longer-maturing varieties that leave behind more stubble.
6. How does the PR-126 variety compare to the Pusa-44 variety in terms of stubble and maturity?
The PR-126 variety matures faster and produces less stubble compared to the Pusa-44 variety. Pusa-44 takes longer to mature and leaves behind more stubble, contributing to the stubble burning issue.
7. How does PR-126 help in reducing stubble burning?
PR-126 requires less time to mature, resulting in reduced stubble after harvest. Less stubble means less need for burning fields, which in turn reduces air pollution caused by stubble burning.
8. What concerns do rice millers have about the PR-126 variety?
Rice millers are concerned about potentially lower rice yield from the PR-126 variety compared to the traditional Pusa-44 variety. PR-126 may result in a slightly lower percentage of rice yield from the given quantity of paddy.
9. What compensation are farmer unions seeking for not burning paddy residue?
Farmer unions are calling for compensation for the extra effort taken to manage paddy residue without burning. They propose a bonus of ₹100 per quintal over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to support this effort.
10. What is the potential impact of using short duration varieties on air pollution?
The use of short duration varieties like PR-126 can significantly reduce stubble burning, which is a major contributor to air pollution. This reduction in burning can lead to improved air quality and reduced pollution levels, especially during the post-harvest period.
