Now, high yield rice variety having Basmati like aroma

Gujarat-based Anand Agriculture University (AAU) has evolved a new variety of rice which it claims is similar to 'Basmati' in aroma, and has double the yield as compared to the national average of 2.5 tonnes per hectare.

Gujarat-based Anand Agriculture University (AAU) has evolved a new variety of rice which it claims is similar to 'Basmati' in aroma, and has double the yield as compared to the national average of 2.5 tonnes per hectare.

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"After extensive research the University has developed a new variety of aromatic rice called, GAR-1 which has maturity period of medium duration say 125-130 days, and has double the yield as compared to the national average of 2.5 tonnes per hectare," Anand Agriculture University (AAU) Vice Chancellor M C Varshney said.

"Usually the other varieties of rice sown in Gujarat have a longer duration of maturity say between 140-145 days," he said.

"During research this variety was found ideal for Central and South Gujarat, and would fetch maximum projected yield of 5-5.5 tonnes per hectare on following the prescribed methodology for sowing," he said.

"In the past, the University has developed a dozen new high yielding varieties of rice including GR-12 and Gurjari, but GAR-1 is the only variety which has aroma similar to Basmati and grain quality is also superior," Varshney said.

"Commercial seed production of this new variety developed through cross hybrid methodology at the Navagam research station in Kheda district has begun, and it will be available on mass scale from next year," he said.