A Research Article on Importance of Hybrid Rice Cultivation in West Bengal

Abstract: Agriculture is the primary source of human food and sources of industrial raw material. Among all the agricultural crops, paddy is the main food grain of West Bengal. Rice is the staple food of most West Bengalis. Rice has been cultivated in West Bengal since ancient times. Earlier, the residents had to import rice from abroad through West Bengal to meet their daily rice need. Gradually West Bengal became self-reliant in rice production. Multi-crop farming, use of modern agricultural machinery, use of high yielding seeds improved irrigation systems etc. have increased the yield of rice in West Bengal. However, the significant event in the history of rice cultivation in West Bengal is the cultivation of hybrid rice. A small amount of hybrid rice seed can be planted in a small area to produce more crops. Hybrid rice cultivation is possible at low labour cost and less pesticide application. Farmer’s profits increase greatly. This research paper is based on secondary data. Hybrid rice (Boro) of West Bengal was discovered in 1995 by Chunchura Rice Research Centre. Then hybrid rice cultivation increased significantly. In this study paper we see that hybrid paddy cultivation is mainly done as summer rice (Boro). Hybrid rice cultivation has increased rice production per hectare, gradually the area under hybrid rice cultivation has increased. But at present 10% of the total rice cultivation in West Bengal is under hybrid rice cultivation. It is insignificant compared to the need