The kharif season is currently underway, a period when paddy cultivation is carried out extensively. While the vast majority of farmers in Bihar stick to traditional rice varieties that are commonly found in local markets, one farmer in Jamui has broken the mould by cultivating a staggering 26 distinct varieties of paddy, including several whose names are unfamiliar to most people.
A Remarkable Cultivation of 26 Varieties
This remarkable agricultural feat has been achieved by Niranjan Kumar, a farmer from the Jamui district. He has successfully grown around 26 varieties of rice in his fields, featuring black rice alongside esteemed regional and traditional varieties like katarni, malbhog, sathi, dudhsagar, and savita. Several of these grains possess medicinal properties, while others command high market prices reaching up to 300 rupees per kilogram. Some of these are rare strains sourced from different cities. All of these diverse crops have matured in his fields and are now ready for harvesting.
Collecting Seeds from Diverse Regions
Niranjan Kumar explained that he has a deep passion for seed collection and has consistently experimented with various agricultural strains over the years. His search for diverse rice species even took him to the Sunderbans in West Bengal, from where he brought back multiple rice varieties. In addition, he traveled to places like Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Patna, and Kolkata to acquire unique seeds and successfully cultivated them in his own fields. These varieties have varying growth cycles, with some maturing in 90 to 105 days, while others take between 145 and 150 days to be harvest-ready.
Strictly Organic Farming Practices
Notably, all 26 varieties have been grown using entirely organic farming methods, with no use of chemical fertilizers in the fields. With his crops now fully mature, Niranjan Kumar's innovative experiment has begun drawing appreciation, inspiring local residents and fellow farmers to look beyond conventional farming.
