New rice variety PR 132 gains popularity among Punjab farmers

A new rice variety called PR 132 from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has gained popularity among farmers at the recent Kisan Mela in Ludhiana. The event concluded on Saturday and saw strong sales of this new variety. Farmers bought a total of 250 quintals of PR 132 during the fair. This variety, introduced this year, is noted for its high yield. It produces an average of 31.5 quintals per acre, outperforming the older PR 126, which yields about 30 quintals per acre. The new rice type is a medium duration variety. It takes about 17 days longer to grow than the short-duration PR 126 and requires more water for irrigation. PR 132 needs 27 to 29 irrigations, while PR 126 requires 22 to 25. Buta Singh, a rice expert at PAU, highlighted that PR 132 is efficient in its use of nitrogen. It uses at least half a bag less urea compared to other rice varieties. The milling quality of PR 132 was also rated as excellent by millers who tested it during trials at the university. According to T.S. Riar, the additional director of communications, most of the stock has sold out. Remaining seeds will be available at the last Kisan Mela event in Patiala on March 25 and at the seed farm where they are produced.