HYBRID SEEDS THAT TOOK 31 YEARS TO COME TO FRUITION

KANPUR : Two new seeds of arhar daal or pigeon pea have been developed on which scientists of Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) spent 31 years.

The central government was, however, lightning quick in giving the go-ahead for providing the hybrid seeds –IPH 15-03 and IPH 09-5. These are the hybrid seeds the Indian Institute of Pulses Research scientists have developed, according to experts.

The work on hybrid seeds had started in 1989, according to scientists who said deficiency of technology needed delayed the development by many years.

The seeds have disease resistance and give double yield as compared to the general varieties the farmers use.

“We have developed two hybrid seeds; 50 scientists worked for 31 years without losing the objective. The past and present teams of scientists made it happen,” said Dr NP Singh, director of IIPR, Kanpur.

“The seeds are beneficial for farmers both in terms of getting extra crop and money. We have given a proposal for its widespread use in Uttar Pradesh to the state government and agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi has given assurance in this regard,” he said.

The normal seeds give a yield of 10 to 12 quintal of lentils per hectare between 120 to 150 days.

But the yield goes up to 20 to 22 quintal with the use of these seeds, which are resistant to all the insects and pests that damage the daal pods.

“As for the taste, the daal from these seeds was much better and nutritious. The protein content is 21% higher than the normal varieties,” said Dr Singh, adding that the agriculture ministry had given approval for giving the seeds to the farmers.

The seeds, Dr Singh said, would not only benefit the farmers of Uttar Pradesh but also those in Punjab, Harayana and Uttarakhand who could significantly increase their income.