This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “PUSA-44”. This topic has relevance in the “Economy” section of the UPSC CSE exam.& BSSC exam

 PUSA-44

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “PUSA-44”. This topic has relevance in

the “Economy” section of the UPSC CSE exam.& BSSC exam

For Prelims:

What is PUSA 44?

For Mains:

GS2: Economy

Why in the news?

Punjab’s Chief Minister has recently announced the decision to ban the cultivation of the PUSA-44

paddy variety, effective from the next agricultural year. 

About PUSA-44 Paddy Variety:

 PUSA-44 is a paddy variety developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) in Delhi in 1993.

 Over the years, it gained immense popularity among farmers in Punjab, covering

approximately 70% to 80% of the total paddy cultivation area by the end of the 2010s.

 However, in 2018, the Punjab government reduced its cultivation area to 18% of the total

paddy acreage.

 Yet, last year, it saw a rebound, accounting for 22% of the total paddy cultivation area.

 Farmers cultivating PUSA-44 have claimed significantly higher yields than other paddy

varieties.

 They report yields ranging from 85 to 100 mann (equivalent to 34 to 40 quintals) per acre,

while other varieties typically yield an average of 28 to 30 quintals per acre.

Reasons Behind the Ban:

The decision to ban the cultivation of PUSA-44 is primarily driven by several pressing concerns: 

 Long Duration: PUSA-44 is a long-duration variety, taking approximately 160 days to mature.

This extended growth period is about 35 to 40 days longer than other paddy varieties,

necessitating 5 to 6 additional irrigation cycles.

 Groundwater Depletion: Punjab is grappling with severe groundwater depletion. The

government aims to conserve approximately one month’s worth of irrigation water by

promoting short-duration paddy varieties.

 Continuous Expansion: The cultivation area dedicated to paddy, already a water-intensive

crop, continues to expand in Punjab.

 Dark Zones: A significant portion of the state’s agricultural development blocks have been

classified as ‘dark zones,’ indicating a higher rate of groundwater depletion than recharge.

 Stubble Burning: The cultivation of PUSA-44 exacerbates the longstanding issue of stubble

burning in Punjab, contributing to severe air pollution in northern India during the winter

months.

 Stubble Generation: PUSA varieties, including PUSA-44, generate around 2% more stubble

than shorter-duration varieties, which poses a significant concern when cultivated extensively.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):

 The ICAR was established in 1930 and served as the apex body responsible for coordinating,

guiding, and managing research and education in the field of agriculture throughout India.

 It operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education within the Ministry

of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

 ICAR is headquartered in New Delhi.

Key achievements of ICAR:

 Developed and released high-yielding varieties of seeds for major crops such as rice, wheat,

maize, sorghum, and pearl millet.

 Improved crop production technologies such as irrigation, fertilisation, and pest management.

 Developed new breeds of livestock, such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats, with high milk

and meat production potential.

 Played a major role in the Green Revolution, which helped India to achieve self-sufficiency in

food production.

 Established a network of 101 research institutes, 71 agricultural universities, and 623 KVKs

spread across the country.

 Provides funding to agricultural universities and KVKs for conducting research and education

programs.

 Offers scholarships and fellowships to students pursuing higher education in agriculture and

allied sciences.

Sources:

Why Punjab wants to ban the cultivation of PUSA-44 paddy variety | 

Explained News – The Indian Express

Q1. Which of the following options correctly describes PUSA-44?

(a) A capsule made from fungi strains that speed up the decomposition of paddy straw

(b) A new variety of Rice recently developed by International Rice Research Institute

(c) A paddy variety developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1990s

(d) None of the above

Answer: (c)

Q2. Consider the following:

1. Takes a long time to mature

2. Generates more stubble compared to other varieties

3. Gives more yield compared to others

4. Leads to groundwater depletion

How many of the above are reasons to ban the cultivation of PUSA 44?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All Four

Answer: (c)

Q3. Analyse this issue’s socio-economic, environmental, and agricultural aspects and

propose sustainable strategies to address the pressing concerns regarding the issue of

groundwater depletion in Punjab- Haryana Region.

Writer- Rahul Kumar (Khedarpur)