Pusa-2090: A Viable Solution to Address Farm Fires in Punjab and Haryana?

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Pusa-44?
• What is Pusa-2090?

Why in News?

In order to tackle the issue of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana, govt is looking for different varieties of rice.

Pusa-2090 yields nearly as much as Pusa-44, the first choice of farmers. But it can be harvested by early to mid-October, eliminating the need for stubble burning before the sowing of wheat.

What is Pusa-44?

• About
  • Pusa-44, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1993, takes 155-160 days to mature. 
    • It has high yield of 35-36 quintals per acre, sometimes reaching 40 quintals.
  • Despite its longer growing period compared to the PR-126 variety, which matures in 123-125 days and yields 30-32 quintals per acre, farmers prefer Pusa-44.
  • This is because the additional 4-5 quintals per acre translates to extra earnings of Rs 9,280-11,600 at the government-set minimum support price of Rs 2,320 per quintal for 'Grade A' paddy.
• Environmental cost associated with Pusa-44
  • While Pusa-44 paddy offers high yields, its long growing period causes issues for farmers in Punjab and Haryana. 
  • Harvesting in late October leaves little time for wheat sowing, leading many to burn the remaining straw and stubble for quick field preparation, contributing to severe air pollution in northern India during late October to mid-November. 
  • Although Pusa-44 cultivation has decreased from 39% in 2012 to 14.8% of Punjab’s non-basmati paddy area in 2023, it remains popular in many districts of the region.
    • Despite a government ban and lack of new seeds, farmers continue using saved seeds to grow Pusa-44.

What is Pusa-2090?

• About
  • Pusa-2090 is a newly bred, shorter-duration paddy variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) as a potential replacement for Pusa-44. 
  • A cross between Pusa-44 and CB-501 (an early-maturing Japonica rice line), Pusa-2090 matures in 120-125 days, similar to PR-126, but with a higher yield of 34-35 quintals per acre, closer to Pusa-44’s yield.
• Benefits
  • The variety maintains a high number of tillers (branches with grain-bearing ear-heads or panicles) and grains per panicle, comparable to Pusa-44 and higher than PR-126. 
  • Pusa-2090 also features a strong culm, making it less prone to lodging (bending over or falling due to heavy winds and rains) in adverse weather conditions, and it is highly responsive to nitrogen application. 
  • Moreover, its shorter duration results in significant water savings, requiring 5-6 fewer irrigations than Pusa-44, which typically needs 29-30.
• A viable replacement of Pusa-44?
  • Pusa-2090 has a lower reduction in yield compared to Pusa-44, as it produces almost as much grain as Pusa-44. 
  • At the same time, Pusa-2090 matures in a shorter time, similar to PR-126, which allows farmers to harvest earlier and potentially prepare for the next crop without delays.
  • Therefore, Pusa-2090 presents a promising, viable option for farmers seeking both high yields and efficient water use.
  • Farmers of this region are also considering Pusa-2090 as a potential replacement for Pusa-44, especially since the latter has been banned.
  • However, in addition to yields, milling quality is also important. 
    • PR-126 is less favored by millers due to its low rice recovery rate of 63%, below the government's standard of 67%. 
  • If Pusa-2090 matches the grain quality of Pusa-44, it could gain wider acceptance among millers as well.

Q.1. How can Pusa-2090 help reduce farm fires in Punjab and Haryana?

Pusa-2090 matures 35 days earlier than Pusa-44, allowing farmers to harvest by early October. This gives enough time for wheat sowing, reducing the need for stubble burning, which is a major cause of air pollution in the region.

Q.2. Why is Pusa-2090 considered a viable replacement for Pusa-44?

Pusa-2090 offers almost the same yield as Pusa-44 (34-35 quintals per acre) but matures earlier, allowing efficient water use and easier crop rotation. If its grain quality matches Pusa-44, it could gain wider acceptance among farmers and millers alike.

Source: Can a variety of rice address farm fires in Punjab & Haryana? | Indian Express