PUSA-44

2. About Pusa-44

Pusa-44 is a high-yielding rice variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in 1993. It is a non-aromatic variety that is suitable for combined harvesting and is widely grown in the northern Indian state of Punjab. Pusa-44 is a long-duration variety that takes around 120-130 days to mature.

3. About Pusa-2090

Pusa-2090 is a new short-duration rice variety developed by IARI in 2023. It is a semi-dwarf, non-lodging, and non-shattering variety that takes around 110-115 days to mature. Pusa-2090 has been developed as a replacement for Pusa-44 to address the problem of paddy stubble burning in Punjab. Stubble burning is a practice followed by farmers in Punjab after harvesting their paddy crop to prepare the fields for the next crop. However, stubble burning is a major source of air pollution and has been linked to various health problems.

Punjab farmers began cultivating Pusa-44 in the early 1990s. It quickly became the most popular rice variety in the state, accounting for over 50% of the total paddy area. However, in recent years, there has been a growing concern about the environmental impact of Pusa-44 cultivation. The variety requires a lot of water and fertilizer, and it is also known to produce a lot of stubble, which is often burned by farmers after harvest. This stubble burning contributes to air pollution in the region.

The Indian government is now encouraging farmers to switch to short-duration rice varieties like Pusa-2090. These varieties require less water and fertilizer, and they produce less stubble. The government is also providing subsidies to farmers who switch to short-duration rice varieties.

6. About Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

• ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
• It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• It was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
• At present, ICAR has 111 institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country.
• It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
• The Union Minister of Agriculture is the ex-officio President of the ICAR Society.
• ICAR Vision 2050 provides the strategic framework for innovation-led inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth in the country.

6.1. Initiatives by ICAR

• It is all set to start a system to scientifically validate scale-up and propagate the innovations of progressive farmers.
• A centre for innovation will be established in New Delhi where the innovations will be scientifically validated and farmers will be allowed to pursue research work.
• The system intends to link farmers and farming with science and encourage farmers to continue their innovations.
• It developing Nano Fertilizers and nano pesticides to promote organic farming and reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
• The council emphasises that agriculture is a science and application of principles of science helps boost agriculture.
• It has created a link between 105 startups and farmers to encourage the use of technology in the farm sector.
• It was inaugurated in 2020 for the first time in the 107 years of history of the Indian Science Congress highlighting the importance of farmer's innovations and their scientific validity.
• The Theme of the Indian Science Congress in 2020 was "Science & Technology: Rural Development".
• It has validated 51 integrated farming systems to help increase farm income and has developed 45 different organic farming models suitable for different agro-climatic regions.
• The Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (Arya) programme is implemented to improve rural bio-economy and attract youth to agriculture.