How Organica Biotech Helped Rice Farmers Escape Rice Blast and Improve Their Yield by 75%

Rice is the staple food of over half the world’s population and is cultivated over a global area of 165 million hectares.

Therefore, crop failures and lower productivity due to climate change pose a looming threat of starvation and food security, especially in developing countries.

By 2050, the world will have to feed more than 10 billion human beings. Organica Biotech has recognized this challenge and devised sustainable strategies to address the problems that plague the rice agriculture sector today.

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we have worked closely with the tribal farmers of Madhya Pradesh in an effort to improve their rice yield and secure a better future for them.

Doubling Basmati Farmers’ Income in drought-stricken Madhya Pradesh

In 2017, Organica Biotech Pvt Ltd. initiated trials on Basmati grown organically in the Mandala, Kotma, and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India.

These trials were carried out with the support of Action for Social Advancement (ASA), an NGO operating primarily in Madhya Pradesh.

The objective of the project initiated by Organica Biotech Pvt. Ltd. was to:

1. To provide a natural, organic, holistic, cost-effective, sustainable solution to boost fertility and improve yields for rice cultivation in Madhya Pradesh
2. To alleviate stress on crops caused by biotic & abiotic factors
3. To improve the socio-economic status of the farmer by improving crop productivity

Why Basmati?

Basmati rice is unique among other aromatic long-grain rice varieties. Agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographical area, as well as the method of harvesting, processing, and aging, attribute these characteristic features to Basmati rice.

Owing to its unique characteristics, the “scented Pearl” lends a touch of class that can transform even the most ordinary meal into a gourmet delight. Due to its superior taste, aroma, and quality, Basmati commands a selling rate head and shoulders above all other rice varieties in India today.

This helps the financial growth of our farmers.

Nearly 20 plots growing PB1 and PS4 varieties were identified for the trials. All these plots were 100% rainfed. The farmers only used traditional organic methods for the fertigation of their lands.

Organica Biotech used two of its products, namely MagicGro Dripsol and MagicGro Super, for the trials. A tailor-made application schedule was designed and applied to these plots.

Madhya Pradesh faced a severe drought in 2017 that affected Basmati yields between 25% – and 40%. To add to that, Basmati yields were susceptible to Rice blast which further impacted the crop.

In the face of such adversity, plots treated with MagicGro products showed extremely promising results.

Magic Gro Application Schedule

We worked with 20 farmers growing PB1 and PS4 basmati varieties. All these plots were 100% rainfed. The farmers only used traditional organic methods for the fertigation of their lands.

A tailor-made application schedule was designed and applied to these plots.

The Magic Gro Application schedule for Paddy was as follows:

Challenged by Extreme Weather conditions

During the vegetative stage of growth, our farmers witnessed one of the worst droughts to hit the region in over a decade. This, coupled with severe heat, spelled disaster in terms of yields for the farmers.

Such severe abiotic stress also causes increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.

In this case, it was a rice blast. Despite such extreme weather conditions, plots treated with our product schedule showed dramatic alleviation of drought stress and significant yields as compared to the untreated plots sown with the same varieties.

Results:

• Effect of Magic Gro on Tiller Formation:

Across all 2 varieties, the increase in number of tillers was found to be between 25-40%. This was a positive indication in terms of increasing productivity, as an increase in the number of tillers directly reflects an increase in the number of grain-bearing panicles.

• Increase in total filled grain weight per panicle 

In the parameters studied, the total filled grains per panicle were studied in both the treated plants and non-treated plants. The total number of grains per panicle also increases by up to 16 %.

• Harvest Collected Per Acre

The weight of grains harvested per acre was 72% and 50% more in the treated plots of PB1 and PS4 varieties, respectively, in comparison with untreated plots.

• Economic Benefit achieved:

The yield from the treated plots was in line with the published yield without any additional inputs. On the other hand, the yields from the untreated plots dropped between 30-50% when compared to the published yield.

Alleviation Of Fungal Disease ‘Rice Blast’:

Rice blasts are by far the most important disease among the many diseases that attack rice.  It is found wherever rice is grown; it is always important and a threat.

The challenge for research continues to be to produce high-quality food in ever-increasing amounts at a lower cost, all while in the presence of an unforgiving and unrelenting pathogen.

All of the plant disease management strategies and techniques that have been generated through research have been brought to bear against rice blast, but often with limited success.

During this trial, nearly all the farmers who owned the untreated plots reported severe destruction of crops due to the Rice Blast.

However, the treated plots, which were all neighboring plots, reported no damage by the disease due to improved plant vigor.

RICE QUALITY: 

• The rice harvested was sent to the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Thanjavur, for assessment of the quality parameters.
• 41% decrease in the broken rice kernel
• 100% increase in head rice yield
• 5% increase in cooked rice volume
• Improvement in texture post-cooking
• LB ratio, amylose content, aroma, and colour were all maintained as per standard
• 40% increase in tiller formation

Overall, the addition of the usage of MagicGro Drip SOL and MagicGro Super as part of the agronomic practices was a success. During transplantation, farmers observed that the survival rate post-transplantation was increased in the treated plot.

Although both the districts faced a drought period of nearly 20-25 days, an average of 50%- 70% increase in productivity was observed in treated plots.

We have partnered with thousands of farmers across India and the world. Join hands with us to make a lasting impact on your rice-growing journey today.

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