WHAT IS ‘SATTHA’ RICE?

It is a short grain paddy variety which is cultivated after rabi crop. The sowing starts in March and the crop is ready by June. The crop matures within 60-70 days (hence the name Sattha). According to scientists, the water requirement is almost double compared to that of normal paddy crops. “The water requirement is more because the crop is cultivated in summer. The water consumption is high because of the climate and not because of physiology of the crop,” said Dr RK Sarkar, principal scientist of plant physiology department of National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.