National Desk, August 12 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated 109 varieties of high-nutrition crops to the nation, including two notable Khasi crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, North Eastern Hill region (ICAR-NEH). This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing agricultural sustainability and nutrition in India.
Among the varieties introduced are Poorvottar Perilla 1 and Poorvottar Perilla 2 (locally known as Nei lieh in Khasi), which were developed by ICAR-NEH and recognized at the national level for their unique attributes. These varieties were officially released and notified during the 92nd meeting of the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standard Notification and Variety Release for Agricultural Crops, held in New Delhi on August 2.
The two Khasi crop varieties are specifically designed for the rain-fed Kharif hilly ecosystems prevalent in regions like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura, as well as parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. These crops boast a yield potential of 12-14 quintals per hectare and a maturity period of 160-165 days. Additionally, they are resistant to lodging and contain an impressive oil content of 39-43% and protein content of 18-19%.
Beyond their nutritional benefits, these varieties are highly valued in oriental medicine for their wide range of therapeutic properties, including anti-asthmatic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and expectorant qualities, among others.
Director of ICAR-NEH, Vinay Kumar Mishra, expressed his pride in the achievement, highlighting it as a significant milestone for the institute, which has played a crucial role in advancing agricultural practices in the northeastern region of India. Mishra congratulated the research scientists involved, noting that the recognition of these varieties at the national level underscores the importance of ongoing agricultural innovation in the region.
This dedication by Prime Minister Modi not only acknowledges the hard work of the agricultural research community but also paves the way for improved crop yields and enhanced food security across the country.