Hybrid Paddy - A Second Indian Green Revolution on the Anvil

After the green revolution in Indian agricultural scenario in the 1960s, one technology that seeks to bring another similar revolution at the present times is the hybrid paddy. Backed by government policies and farmers acceptance, hybrid paddy is posed to be the technology that will help to feed the unfed.
Good monsoon and the consequent record foodgrain output have brought cheers to the policy planners in the Krishi Bhavan. The euphoria may not last long considering the foodgrain requirement of 230-240 million tonnes when the population is now exceeding the billion mark.

Production and productivity of most foodgrains crops has increased substantially since the famous 'Green Revolution' more aptly dwarf 'Wheat Revolution' of the sixties followed by the development, production and marketing of superior high yielding varieties of Paddy and hybrids of coarse cereals like Maize, Sorghum and Millet. While the Public Sector Seed Companies largely supplied the quality seeds of Wheat and Paddy, Private Sector Seed Industry did most of the work in coarse cereals.

With the production and productivity reaching a plateau in improved varieties of Wheat and Paddy, the country is yearning for another 'Green Revolution' and Hybrid Rice promises to be just that. The work of Prof. Yuan Longping of Peoples Republic of China, considered father of 'Hybrid Rice', has resulted in the successful development and commercialization of Hybrid Rice some twenty years ago. India, with 41 mha under Paddy cultivation is key player in Rice production in Asia, has also identified the possible heterosis - or Hybrid vigour which can contribute 15-25% yield increase over the currently available improved varieties of Paddy.

Hybrid varieties yield an average of 6.6 tons per hectare compared to 5 tons per hectare in case of varieties. Rice grown in China is more of 'japonica' type that becomes sticky upon cooking. Such rice is not accepted in India and hence adaptation to suit local conditions is one of the research imperatives. Very few companies in India have been successful in bringing out suitable hybrid rice that suits local conditions and tastes. Rice production in India was self sufficient in 60's, Productive in 70's, profitable in 80's and highly competitive at present.

According to an estimate, for sustaining self-sufficiency, India must increase food production by at least 5 million tons and rice by 2 million tons every year. India is the second country next only to China to commercialize Hybrid rice. In India the labor to land ratio is high and also there is higher proportion of land in irrigated track. This offers better optimum opportunities to take advantage of hybrid rice technology .In India the first rice hybrid was released in 1994. It was first introduced in the Southern states of India and was quite well accepted.

Subsequently it was slowly extended to the Eastern parts of India. Progress to date indicates that the major private companies have produced sufficient seeds to plant 1,50,000 hectares.The National Food Security Mission, the GoI also estimated that by 2011-12, acreage under Hybrid Rice may touch 3 million ha. One can clearly estimate the immense impact it will have on the total foodgrain production of the country.