How paddy variety PR-126 became a victim of its own popularity

Sub : Geo

Sec: Eco geo

About the controversy:

In the recent years, PR-126 has faced scrutiny due to alleged low milling out-turn ratios (OTR), leading to rice shellers refusing to accept this variety.
The controversy has escalated into a political issue, with opposition parties criticizing the Punjab government’s handling of paddy procurement.
The primary issue facing PR-126 stems from the influx of non-certified hybrid varieties being marketed under its name. Millers have expressed concerns about these hybrids having lower OTRs (60%-62%) compared to PR-126’s consistent 67%.
Millers do not have a problem with PR-126 per say. Rather, they are concerned about hybrid varieties sold under the name of PR-126.

About PR-126:

PR-126, a short-duration paddy variety developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), gained popularity among farmers in Punjab since its introduction in 2016.
It was favoured for its shorter growth cycle, high yield, lower pesticide needs and excellent OTR.
It offers an average yield of over 30 quintals per acre.
In the 2023-2024 season, PR-126 was cultivated on approximately 8.59 lakh hectares, constituting about 33% of non-Basmati paddy cultivation in Punjab and is expected to increase to 44% this year.

Advantages of PR-126:

Punjab has seen a record-high area under paddy cultivation, roughly 32 lakh hectares, in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, but the state is facing a severe groundwater crisis.
Shifting to paddy varieties which can be grown in a shorter duration likely offers the best solution for the water crisis. This is where PR-126 comes in.
It gives farmers more time to manage stubble, reducing the need for burning.

Victim of its own popularity:

This year, the demand for PR-126 was huge, and when enough seed wasn’t available, seed and pesticide companies took advantage of the situation by selling hybrid varieties under the PR-126 name.

Out-turn ratio (OTR):

out-turn ratio refers to the post milling yield of a crop.
The out-turn ratio of rice from paddy is the percentage of rice produced from a given amount of paddy.

Who are Arhtiyas:

Arhtiyas are traditional commission agents or middlemen in the Indian agricultural market, primarily responsible for facilitating the sale and purchase of agricultural produce between farmers and buyers.
They play a crucial role in the marketing of crops, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana.