Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 May 2025
In a major step toward improving rice productivity under the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) has identified the ideal sowing window and suitable rice varieties for the island ecosystem.
A field experiment conducted at Bloomsdale Farm under the project “Suitable Cropping Window and Varieties in Rice-based Cropping System under Island Ecosystem” tested three rice varieties — CARI Dhan 5, CARI Dhan 6, and Gayatri — across four sowing dates: June 1, June 15, July 1, and July 15.
Key Findings:
-June 1 sowing yielded the highest output with 4.15 tonnes per hectare, outperforming later planting dates in terms of grain yield, panicle weight, and harvest index.
-CARI Dhan 6 emerged as the best-performing variety, recording the highest grain yield and adaptability, followed by Gayatri and CARI Dhan 5.
-The combination of CARI Dhan 6 and June 1 sowing recorded the best overall performance.
-Delayed sowing beyond mid-June led to declining yields, attributed to waterlogging, higher pest and disease incidence (e.g., Gundhi bug, false smut), and rainfall disrupting crop maturity during the harvest period.
Advisory for Farmers:
Based on these results, ICAR-CIARI recommends the following practices for island farmers aiming to boost rice yields:
-Ideal sowing window: Between June 1 and June 15.
-Recommended variety: CARI Dhan 6 for its proven yield stability and resilience.
-Avoid late sowing (beyond July 1) to minimize risks of crop failure due to erratic weather and pest pressure.
As the monsoon has already set in across the islands, farmers are urged to procure high-quality seeds from ICAR-CIARI and begin land preparation for nursery raising at the earliest.
The research was led by Dr. Abhilash, Dr. I. Jaisankar, and Mr. Talaviya Harshangkumar from the Division of Natural Resource Management, ICAR-CIARI.
Stay Updated:
Farmers are also encouraged to regularly follow agro-advisories issued by ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram, or contact the Director, ICAR-CIARI, for tailored guidance to ensure effective and climate-resilient farm practices. (Story Based on PR)