CUTTACK: The National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) has decided to encourage farmers to grow two protein-rich rice varieties - CR Dhan-310 and CR Dhan-311 developed by it - on a large scale.The two rice varieties were released by Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on July 16 . "Now our focus is to create awareness among farmers about these two varieties and encourage them to grow it. It will not only help reduce malnourishment but farmers will also earn well from it," said director of NRRI Himanshu Pathak.Pathak said so far three to four quintals of the new variety has been distributed among farmers by NRRI to promote cultivation of the new varieties. "In the days to come, more seeds will be distributed. We will also organise workshops and seminars to educate farmers about the benefits of the two rice varieties. We have also moved state governments of eastern states to promoting the rice variety," added Pathak.While CR Dhan-310 contains 10.2% of protein, the CR Dhan-311 variety has a protein content of 10.1%. In conventional rice varieties, the protein content is 6%. Besides, the rice variety produces a yield of 4.5 tonne per hectare. The two rice varieties have moderate content of zinc also making it healthier.In CR Dhan-311, the zinc content is 20ppm while in CR Dhan-310 the zinc content is 15ppm. Both the rice grains are slender and of good quality. Even the varieties are tolerant to diseases like leaf blast, brown spot and bacterial leaf blight and the crop matures in just 120 to 125 days like any other variety. There is no need of any special technique to grow these varieties."The protein rich varieties yield potential is better than many of the hybrids available in the market," added Pathak. Besides, there is a benefit for the farmers that they can save their own seeds for next crop season instead of buying it every year.

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