Status Paper on Rice in Uttarakhand.pdf - Rice Knowledge ...

RICE IN UTTARAKHAND 

<strong>Status</strong> <strong>Paper</strong> on Rice in Uttarakhand 

S.C. Mani 

Ex-Professor & Additional Director Research 

G.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar – 263 145 

For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in 

Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP) 

Directorate of Rice Research, 

Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: naiprkmp@gmail.com, pdrice@drricar.org, shaiknmeera@gmail.com 

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I. NAME OF THE STATE : Uttarakhand 

II. 

INTRODUCTION 

Created in the year 2000 this 27 th state of India, was carved out from erstwhile Uttar Pradesh. 

Uttarakhand is the 10 th Himalayan state of the country. It is bound by Nepal, China, Himachal Pradesh 

and Uttar Pradesh on east, northeast, west and southern directions, respectively. Out of the total 

geographical area of 53,204 sq. km. merely 14 per cent is under cultivation and 62 per cent is under 

forest. 

Rice is the major cereal crop of kharif season accounting for more than 54 percent of the total area 

under cereals in the state. The annual rice production of the state is around 5.5 lakh tonnes from an area 

of about 2.80 lakh hectares. Half of this area is in the plains and half in the hills, but the total rice 

production of the hills is twice the total production of the hills. Rice is cultivated in all the 13 districts of 

the state, but maximum area (33%) is in district Udham Singh Nagar which produces about 48% of the 

total rice produced annually in the state. Districts Nainital, Hardwar and Dehradun occupy about 17.5 per 

cent area and contribute 22.2 per cent in the total production. From productivity point of view these 

districts are classified in the medium category. Rest of the nine districts are classified in the low 

productivity category. These nine districts together occupy about 49.2 per cent area, but contribute only 

to 30 per cent of the total production. After the creation of the state some decline in rice area has been 

observed due to industrialization in the plains and diversion of area for other development purposes. 

III. 

ZONAL INFORMATION 

a. Climate : 

The climate varies greatly from place to place in this Himalayan state. The state 

comprises of two district physiographic regions: Hill region that covers major portion and, the bhabhar 

and tarai regions that run as a narrow belt in the foothills of the Himalayas. The hilly terrain ranges from 

200 m to a magnificent series of snow clad peaks of more than 6000 m above mean sea level. Broadly 

there are three subdivisions viz., Himadari or greater Himalayas, Himanchal or lesser or lower Himalayas 

and Shivalik or sub-Himalayas. In Himadari, Himalaya rises abruptly and its higher peaks are ice-capped 

throughout the year. Crops are grown upto 2000 m in this part. 

In lower Himalaya (>600 to


climatic zone in hill region are: warm temperate (900-1800 m), cool temperate (1800-2400 m), cold zone 

(2400-3000 m), alpine zone (3000-4000 m), glacier zone (4000-4800 m) and perpetually frozen zone 

(>4800 m). The bhabhar and tarai regions represent a narrow strip of flat land below the foothills of 

Himalayas covering about one third of total arable land in the state. Bhabhar occupies the area just 

below the foothills. Moving further down, bhabhar leads to tarai zone that covers districts of Udham 

Singh Nagar, Haridwar and parts of Nainital district. In this region intensive agriculture is practiced. 

b. Soil Type/ Nutrient Management 

The soils in the hills have developed from rocks like granite, ferruginous biotitic, schists, 

gneiss, phyllite, shales and sand stone, etc. under cool and moist climate. Soils of the hill region are 

characterized by their diversity due to parent rock, elevation, slope and aspect. They are generally 

shallow, gravelly, impregnated with un-weathered fragments of parent rocks, occurring as a thin layer 

of a few centimeters at high elevations to about 2 meters in the valleys or depressions. They are neutral 

to slightly acidic in nature at lower elevations and highly acidic at higher elevations where rainfall is 

high. The hill soils belong mostly to inceptisol and alfisol orders and are prone to severe water erosion 

due to steep slope and high rainfall. 

The soils of bhabhar are deep, well drained, neutral or slightly alkaline, coarse loamy/ fine loamy/ 

sandy and with or without free lime (calcareous/ non-calcareous). At places, deep, excessively drained 

soils occur. The major constraints of soils of piedment plain are the low moisture holding capacity and 

limited root growth zone. The soils of tarai are very deep, well drained, slightly alkaline and coarse 

loamy/ fine loamy. These soils are rich in organic matter, plant nutrients and have fairly good water 

holding capacity. At places the problems of wetness, overflows and erosion are also observed. Tarai 

soils are one of the most productive soils in the country. 

c. Rainfall and its Distribution Pattern 

Rainfall is heavy in Himalayas as well as in foot hills. The area of heaviest rainfall are in the districts 

of Dehradun, Garhwal, Nainital and Pithoragarh with an average rainfall of 1800 mm. The other hills in 

general receive 750-1250 mm annually. Of the total rainfall, 80-90% is concentrated in monsoon period 

viz., June-August. 

d. Agro-Climatic Zones 

Broadly, the state can be divided into four distinct agro-climatic region: 





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• Valleys (up to 1000 m above sea level) it comprises the districts of Udham Singh Nagar, Hardwar 

and parts of Dehradun. 

• Low hills (1000-1500 m above sea level) marked by unirrigated stretches of sub-tropical land, 

including districts and areas of Pauri, Tehri, Dehradun and Nainital districts. 

• High hills (1500-2500 m) marked by cool, temperate climate includes area in Uttarkashi, Nainital, 

Rudraprayag, Pauri, Bageshwar, Champawat and Chamoli districts. 

• Alpine zone (>2500m), the region is marked by sparse vegetation, mainly herbs and small 

mountaineous plants and includes areas in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts. 

Physiographic zones, farming situations, soil and major crops grown in Uttarakhand 

Sl. 

No. 

Zone Farming situations Soil Av. Rainfall 

(mm/year) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Zone-A 

(up to 1000m) 

Zone-B 

(1000-1500m) 

Zone-C 

(1500-2400) 

Zone-D 

(>2400) 

Tarai irrigated Alluvial 1400 

Bhabar irrigated Alluvial 1400 

Lower hills irrigated Alluvial sandy 2000-2400 

Rainfed lower hiills Residual sandy loam 2000-2400 

Mid hills south aspect Sandy loam 1200-1300 

High hills Red to dark 1200-2500 

Very high hiils Red to dark black clay 1300 

e. Rice and Cultural Heritage in the State 

Rice apart from being a source of food is intimately related with all the religious, cultural and 

social functions of the life of hill people. It also provides feed for cattle, thereby, reducing pressure on 

grazing land and forests. Thus, rice helps to balance the delicate ecosystem of Himalayas, where 





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fodder scarcity is more acute. Rice is cultivated in hills of state in two distinct environments; terraces 

and valleys. The promising rice establishment method in terraces is direct-seeded (dry seed and dry 

soil), while valleys are transplanted (establishment of seedlings in nursery and subsequently 

transplanted in well puddled fields). These variations are largely explained by poor infrastructure, 

inaccessibility to modern technology, small and fragmented land holdings, use of traditional inputs 

and methods: non-availability and non-suitability of seeds and fertilizers which affect hill agriculture 

significantly. Application of chemical fertilizers in hills is only 8 kg per hectare, whereas the state 

average is about 75 kg per hectare. 

IV. RICE PRODUCTION SCENARIO 

The current rice growing area (2009-10) in the state is about 2.8 lakh hectares and production is 

5.7 lakh quintals. Half of this area is in the hills and half in the plains, but the total production in the 

plains is almost two and half times the production in the hills. The average productivity of the state is 

20.39 q/ha. There is a wide gap between the productivity of hills (12.55 q/ha) and productivity of 

plains (27.55 q/ha). The highest productivity among hill districts was observed in Tehri Garhwal which 

is 1.6 t/ha and lowest in Almora and Pauri Garhwal districts which is about 1 t/ha. The main reasons 

for a wide difference in productivity are (i) There exists a wide variation between hills and plains for 

irrigation facilities and fertilizer consumption (ii) The hill districts witness harsh climate in terms of 

prevailing low temperature and moisture stress (iii) Very low or negligible use of chemical fertilizers in 

the hills, particularly under rainfed upland conditions (iv) Small or marginal and scattered land 

holdings and woman based agriculture (v) Non-availability of inputs, poor socio-economic condition of 

the farmers and poor extension network. 

The major factors contributing to high yields in the plains are high yielding varieties, irrigation 

facilities and adoption of modern crop production and crop protection technologies. In the valleys where 

rice yields are as high as in the plains the irrigation water plays the most crucial role. 

V. REGION-WISE/ DISTRICT-WISE RICE ECOSYSTEMS 

There are two distinct rice ecosystems in the state. District Udham Singh Nagar, Hardwar and 

plains of Nainital and Dehradun districts grow rice under irrigated ecosystem. Rest of the nine districts 

viz., Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Tehri and hill 

regions of districts Dehradun and Nainital are under rainfed upland ecosystem. 





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VI. RICE PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 

The average costs and returns from rice cultivation in district Udham Singh Nagar is given in Table 

given at XVII. The total cost of rice production in tarai is high due to very high cost of the labour, full 

application of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals. Due to higher yields rice cultivation is a 

profitable proposition and average returns are around Rs. 20,000 per hectare. Farmers involved in seed 

production and cultivation of basmati rice make even higher profits. 

The cost of cultivation of rice is Rs. 13609/ha in the valleys which is about 44% more than that on 

the terrace (Rs. 8710). The material cost, which includes bullock power, FYM, seed, irrigation and 

fertilizer worked out to be Rs. 4611/ha accounting for 53% to the total cost on terraces and Rs. 6552 in 

valleys, accounting for 48% to total cost. Material cost is more in valleys due to use of chemical fertilizers. 

FYM is the most important input followed by seed, which together account for 37 % to total cost 

in terraces, while in valleys bullock power is the most important component of material cost with 17 % to 

the total cost followed by FYM having 12% share. In both the situations human labour include only family 

labour. Labour cost is Rs. 4099 in terraces and Rs. 7057/ha in valleys which constitute 47 and 52 %, 

respectively to total cost. Weeding cost emerged out as a main component of labour cost in terraces. It is Rs. 

1602 for terraces and Rs. 1043/ha for valleys, followed by harvesting cost of Rs. 919 and Rs. 1730 in terraces 

and valleys, respectively. The yields of rice are 31.2 and 9.37 qtls/ha in valleys and terraces, respectively. The 

yield differences were due to non-adoption of modern technologies in terraces due to irrigation problems. 

Large differences are observed in gross returns from rice cultivation in two heterogeneous rice 

growing environments. In valleys gross returns are about three times (Rs. 17864/ha) than that of terraces 

(Rs. 6149). Adoptions of modern technologies for rice cultivation in valleys are alone sufficient to explain 

the variation in gross and net returns. The net returns are negative 

(- Rs. 2561/ha) in terraces 

and positive in valleys (+ Rs. 4255/ha). 

VII. RICE AND RICE BASED CROPPING SYSTEM ZONE-WISE 

Situation(s) Crop Sequences Altitude 

Zone-A Rice-wheat upto 1000 m 

Rice-vegetable pea-summer rice 

Basmati rice – lentil/ local scented rice - lentil 





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Zone-B 

(1000-1500m) 

Rice-wheat-mandua-fallow (two year) 1000-1500m 

Local scented rice) - wheat 

Local scented rice) - lentil 

Rice- mustard 

Rice-wheat 

Zone-C Amaranth (Ramdana) – wheat / barley 1500-2400 m 

Rajma - wheat / barley 

Buckwheat – barely 

Zone-D Buckwheat – barely above 2400m 

Amaranth – barley 

VIII. RICE GROWING SEASONS OF DIFFERENT REGIONS 

Rice is predominantly cultivated during the kharif season in the state. In hill valleys high yielding 

rice varieties are popular, whereas traditional varieties are grown on the terraces which show contrasting 

climatic conditions to valley situations. In terraces farming activities begin immediately after rains as they 

are mainly rainfed. Valleys are irrigated by the hill canals. In both environments land preparation is totally 

dependent on bullock power. Mechanization is not popular due to bio-physical conditions and small size 

of plots and sloppy situations. However, rice establishment methods differ in both environments. 

Terraces are entirely direct seeded (dry-seed and dry- soil), while in valleys transplanting is the most 

popular rice establishment method. 

During the last one and half decades summer rice has also became popular in the tarai region of 

district Udham Singh Nagar from February/ 

March – May/ June. Short duration varieties 

transplanted after vegetable pea. Availability of irrigation water in tarai is the main reason for the success 

of summer rice. 





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IX. RECOMMENDED PACKAGE OF PRACTICES 

a. Varieties/Hybrids 

i. Irrigated plains: 

a) Early (110-115 days): Govind, Narendra Dhan-118, Saket-4, Narendra Dhan-97, Pant 

Sankar Dhan-1. 

b) Medium (120-125 days): Pant Dhan-4, Narendra Dhan-359, Pant Dhan-10, Saryu-52, 

PNR-381, Pant Sankar Dhan-3, 

113, PR-114. 

Narendra Sankar Dhan-2, Pant Dhan-18, Pant Dhan-19, PR- 

c) Basmati varieties: Type-3, Kasturi, Pusa Basmati-1, Basmati-370, Taraori Basmat, Haryana 

Basmati-1, Pant Sugandh Dhan-15, 

Pant Sugandh Dhan-17, Pusa-1121, Pusa RH-10. 

ii. Hills: 

1. Direct seeded upland 

a. Spring (March/ April seeded) : Locally this is known as chetaki dhan. The varieties are 

Majhera-3, Pant Majhera Dhan-7, VL Dhan-206, VL Dhan-207, VL Dhan-208 and VL Dhan-209. 

b. June seeded: Locally known as jethi dhan. The varieties are VL Dhan-163, VL Dhan- 

221, Vivek Dhan-154. 

2. Irrigated 

a. Lower hills: Saket-4, Prasad, Govind, Pant Dhan-11. 

b. Medium hills 

(i) Early maturing: VLK Dhan-39, Pant Dhan-6, VL Dhan-81, VL Dhan-85, Vivek 

Dhan-82. 

(ii) 

Medium maturing: VL Dhan-16, VL Dhan-61, VL Dhan-65, Vivek Dhan-62. 

b. Management Inclusive of Mechanization 

Time of Nursery Sowing and Transplanting 

Sl. 

No. 

Field situation Time of nursery sowing Time of transplanting 





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1. Valleys and lower hills up 

to 900 m 

Second fortnight of May to first 

week of June 

June end to first week 

of July 

2. Mid hills (900-1500 m) First fortnight of May Second fortnight of June 

3. High hills (above 1500 m) Second fortnight of April First fortnight of June 

4. Tarai and bhabhar 

HYV’s 

Second fortnight of May to first 

fortnight of June depending upon 

the duration of the variety 

Second fortnight of June to 

first fortnight of July 

5. Basmati varieties 15-20 June Mid July 

Recommended Fertilizers and Doses 

Sl. No. Cropping situation Varietal group Area (unit) N P K 

Hills 

1. Rainfed upland Local and tall Hectare 40-50 kg 30 kg 20 kg 

Nali 800-1000 g 600 g 400 g 

2. Irrigated Semi-dwarf Hectare 120 kg 60 kg 40 kg 

Nali 1.2 kg 0.6 kg 0.6 kg 

Plains HYV’s Hectare 120 kg 60 kg 40 kg 

Hybrids Hectare 150 kg 60 kg 60 kg 

Basmati Hectare 100 kg 60 kg 40 kg 

Tall/ 

Basmati 

Local 

Hectare 60 kg 30 kg 30 kg 

Recommended Weedicides 

Sl. 

No. 

Name of weedicide 

Quantity 

Per hectare 

Per nali 

1. Butachlor 50 EC 3.0 l 60 ml 





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2. Thiobencarb 50 EC 3.0 l 60 ml 

3. Anilophos 30 EC 1.65 l 33 ml 

4. Protilachlor 50 EC 1.5 l 30 ml 

5. Pandimithilin 30 EC (for direct seeded crop) 3.3 l 66 ml 

Important Diseases and their Control 

Sl. 

No. 

Disease Fungicide Rate of application 

Per ha 

Per nali 

1. Blast Tricyclazole 75 w.p. 600 g 12 g 

2. Brown spot Mancozeb 0.25% solution 

3. Sheath rot Carbendazim 1 kg 20 g 

4. Sheath blight Propaconazole or 

Hexaconazole 

1.0 l 

2.0 l 

20 ml 

40 ml 

5. Bacterial blight Streptocyclim + 

Copper oxychloride 

15.0 g 

500.0 g 

- 

- 

Important Insects and their Control 

Sl. 

No. 

Insect pest Insecticide Rate of application 

Per ha 

per nail 

1. Hopper Imidachloprid 400 ml 8 ml 

2. Stem borer Cartap hydrochloride 4G or 25 kg 500 g 

Fipronil 5 EC or 1.0 l 20 ml 





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Cartap hydrochloride 50 w.p. 600 g 12 g 

3. Hispa Chlorpyriphos 1.5 l 15 ml 

4. Leaf folder Cartap hydrochloride 50 w.p. 600 g 12 g 

5. Kurmula Neem cake + 7.8 q 14.16 kg 

Quinolphos 25 EC 

4.0 l 80 ml 

or 

Chlorpyriphos 20 EC 4.0 l 80 ml 

X. INDIGENOUS TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE (ITKS) SPECIFIC TO THE STATE 

(i) Direct seeding of rice on terraces and hill slopes in the month of March/ April making use of the 

moisture conserved from winter rains and precipitation. 

(ii) Technique of nursery raising during the months of December/ January for summer rice when 

environmental/ soil/ water temperature is very low and unsuitable for germination of rice by 

bengali farmers in Uttarakhand tarai using continuously running water of artigen wells. 

XI. BYPRODUCTS/EXTENDED USE OF RICE SPECIFIC TO THE STATE 

Paddy is turned into white milled/ parboiled rice and consumed as whole grain along with curry 

and vegetables. There are no specific milled products. Other food products include beaten rice, puffed 

rice, kheer, namkin, papad, kachari, arsa and some products of regional importance. Rice straw is burned 

by the farmers in tarai after combine harvesting, but is used as cattle feed by the farmers in the hills. Rice 

millers use the husk in the boilers of their own rice mills for parboiling as well as sell to other small 

industries to be used as fuel in the boilers. 

XII. RICE AND COMMERCE (EXPORT AND REVENUE GENERATION) 

Uttarakhand state is originally hill state. Under the organic basmati export programme of UOCB 

the area of basmati rice has increased from 700 ha in 2006-07 to 1829 ha in 2007-08 with an 

average productivity of 

20.0 q/ha for different varieties (UOCB, 2008). Exact data about rice 

exports are not available. It is estimated that around 1,000-1,500 tonnes of basmati rice is exported from 





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the state every year, mostly to middle east. Some basmati rice also moves in adjoining states and Delhi 

markets. 

XIII. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN RICE SECTOR OF THE STATE 

Sl. 

No. 

Components 

Maximum permissible assistance 

1. Demonstration of improved package of 

practices 

2. Demonstration on System of Rice 

Intensification 

Rs. 2,500 per demonstration of 0.4 ha 

(Assistance limited to Rs. 2,500/- per acre for 

single crop) 

Rs. 3,000 per demonstration of 0.4 ha 

3. Demonstration on hybrid rice technology Rs. 3,000 per demonstration of 0.4 ha 

4. Support for promotion of hybrid rice seed 

a) Assistance for production of hybrid 

seed. 

b) Assistance for distribution of 

hybrid rice seed 

Rs. 1,000 per qtl or 50% of the cost, 

whichever is less 

Rs. 2,000 per qtl or 50% of the cost, 


5. Assistance for distribution of HYVs Seed Assistance @ Rs. 5 per kg or 50% of the cost, 


6. Seed Mini kits of high yielding varieties Full cost of the seed 

7. Incentive for micro nutrients (in deficient 

soils) 

Assistance @ Rs. 500 per ha or 50% of the 

cost, whichever is less 

8. Incentive for liming in acid soils Assistance @ 500 per ha or 50% of the cost, 


9. Assistance for plant protection chemicals 

and bio-pesticides 

Assistance @ Rs. 500 per ha or 50% of the 

cost, whichever is less 

10. Training of farmers at FFS pattern Assistance @ Rs. 17,000 per training 

11. Frontline Demonstration on rice Rs. 6,250 per ha. 

12. Frontline Demonstration on hybrid rice Rs. 7,500 per ha. 





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Sl. 

No. 



13. Purchase of manually operated 

implements/ tools 

@ 25% of the cost limited to Rs. 2,000/- 

14. Animal driven implements @ 25% of the cost limited to Rs. 2,500/- 

15. Power driven equipments (Tractor/ power 

tiller operated) 

Intended inclusion of all tractor and power 

tiller driven conventional equipment/ 

implements 

i) @ 25% of the cost, limited to Rs. 

10,000/- for essential tractor driven 

implements viz., MB/ Disc plough, 

harrow, cultivator, seed-cum-fertilizer 

drill. 

ii) @ 25% of the cost, limited to Rs. 

10,000/- for a set of power tiller driven 

implements i.e. harrow, cultivator and 

seed drill. 

16. Power Threshers (All types) 25% of the cost, limited to Rs. 12,000/- 

17. Diesel/ Electric pump sets @ 50% of the cost, limited to Rs. 10,000/- 

Diesel/ electric pump sets upto 7.5 BHP/ 

5kW. 

18. Cono Weeder Assistance @ Rs. 3,000 per farmer or 50% of 

the cost, whichever is less 

19. Plant Protection Equipments @ 25% of the cost 

20. Self propelled Reaper, paddy transplanter 

and other similar self propelled machines 

@ 25% of the cost limited to Rs. 40,000/- 

21. Specialized power driven equipments i) @ 25% of the cost limited to Rs. 

15,000/- viz., mini rice mill 

ii) @ 40% of the cost limited to Rs. 

20,000/- viz., rotavator 

22. Promotion of green manuring @ 50% subsidy to central/ state seed 

producing agency/ ICAR/ SAUs/ farmers’ 





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Sl. 

No. 



groups entrepreneurs 

23. Use of bio-fertilizers, vermi-compost, green 

manure etc. 

@ 25% cost limited to Rs. 1,000/- per ha. 

24. Promotion/ distribution of micro nutrients @ Rs. 500/ha 

25. Supply of bio-agents/ bio-pesticides @ 25% of the cost limited to Rs. 500 per ha. 

26. Seed treatment 

a. Manual seed treating drum @ Rs. 800 or 25% subsidy whichever is less 

b. Seed treating material @ 25% subsidy or Rs. 50 per hectare 


XIV. STATUS OF RECENT RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES 

SRI method of rice cultivation has been tested in the plains as well as in the hills and it has been 

found promising in both the situations in comparison to the prevailing methods of rice cultivation. 

However, it has not been adopted by the farmers due to small and scattered holdings in the hills and high 

cost of labour in the plains. Hill farmers have been practicing conservation agriculture as a default due to 

the problems on supply and demand sides of technology which deals with monitory aspects i.e. local 

availability of monitory inputs like certified seeds, fertilizers and other chemicals and rice farming being 

women driven and dependent on rainfall and other climatic factors. The adoption of hybrid rice 

technology is also very poor because hill agriculture is dependent on rainfall and natural resources of 

irrigation. The tarai farmers are making good profit from seed production of inbred varieties for various 

seed companies including Uttarakhand Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation. The biotechnological 

interventions are nil as no specific technology has been released so far in the state. Few farmers have 

adopted IPM in basmati rice production. The main interventions include green manuring of Sesbania and 

use of pheromone traps to control stem borer alongwith the use of chemical weedicides and need-based 

application of fungicides/insecticides. INM is not being followed seriously. University has done lot of 

research and extension work on Site Specific Nutrient Management in rice and several farmers in tarai 

region are following this technology in rice production using leaf colour chart developed by IRRI. 





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XV. ORGANIZATIONS (GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT) 

The state of Uttarakhand has two very old agricultural institutes namely, Vivekanand Parvatiya 

Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Almora establihsed in the 1924 and Govind Ballabh Pant University 

of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar, established in the year 1960, committed to the 

agricultural research and extension. The mandate of VPKAS, Almora is to cater the needs of the NW 

Himalayan region including the hills of Uttarakhand state where as GBPUA&T is committed to the 

education, research and extension of agricultural knowledge and technologies in the state of 

Uttarakhand. The Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Uttarakhand is mainly responsible for the 

implementation of all the development and extension activities including supply of critical inputs to the 

farmers. 

XVI CONSTRAINTS IN RICE PRODUCTION 

a. Biotic Stresses 

Diseases 

In hilly areas, the rice crop suffers maximum loss due to the attack of leaf and neck blast disease 

caused by Magnaporthe grisea (Pyricularia grisea). The rice blast can be seen throughout the rice season, 

both as foliar as well as nodal and neck infection which acts as one of the principal constraints for rice 

production in hills. Minimum temperature around 22-25 0 C (with a range of 10-15 0 C between minimum 

and maximum temperature), longer crop duration with 90% or higher relative humidity (with an average 

of more than 50%), and more number of cloudy days have been identified as congenial factors for blast 

development. 

Brown leaf spot caused by Helminthosporium oryzae is another common disease which appears 

in severe form under low management conditions. Leaf scald (Rhyncosporium oryzae), sheath rot 

(Sarocladium oryzae), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), false smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) and grain 

discoloration (caused by fungi like Helminthosporium oryzae, Epicoccum sp., Curvularia lunata, etc.) are 

the other diseases of prime importance. Besides, seedling blight, narrow brown leaf spot, stem rot, stack 

burn and bakanae are the diseases of minor importance. Khaira disease caused by zinc deficiency has 

also been noticed as a major constraint in certain pockets. 





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i. Insects 

Insect pests are a serious threat to the rice crop by attacking every part of the plant at all the 

growth stages. Over 40 different species have been recorded in rice fields. Among these, the most severe 

damage is caused by pink stem borer (Sesamia inferens) and yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) 

which remain active throughout the crop growth period but infestation peaks mostly in September. Leaf 

folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) is another important pest and its maximum intensity occurs from mid- 

August to September. White backed plant hopper (Sogatella furcifera), sucking bug (Dolycoris indicus), 

grasshoppers and crickets are the other important pests of rice in the hills. 

Besides, white grub locally known as ‘kurmula’ has become menace particularly for rainfed rice. 

Out of 35 species of white grub, Anomala dimidiata, Holotrichia seticollis and H. longipennis are the 

predominant species in this region. 

ii. Weeds 

Heavy weed infestation ranks only second to moisture stress in reducing grain yield of rainfed 

rice in the hills. Estimates of yield losses caused by weeds in upland rice vary from 42 to 100 per cent as 

revealed by various studies. Drastic yield losses (83.7 to 100%) have been recorded in spring rice owing 

to prolonged growing season and depending upon the intensity and type of weed flora. Oxalis latifolia 

(tuber propagated) and Cyprus rotundus (sedge, tuber propagated) are the most problematic species of 

weeds among the 40 species recorded. Echinochloa colona, Elusine indica, Brachiara ramosa, Digitaria 

songuinalis are a few other species found in abundance in rice fields. 

b. Physiological or Abiotic Stresses 

i. Temperature 

Low temperature affects the crops at different growth stages from germination to maturity. The 

monthly mean temperature in this region varies from 10.2 0 to 24 0 C (annual mean 18 0 C). Low 

temperature stress due to cool irrigation water and low ambient temperature at reproductive phase in 

irrigated rice and early vegetative phase in spring rice, adversely affect the crop productivity. The 

common types of cold injuries are low germination, slow growth of seedlings, leaf discoloration, 

stunted vegetative growth, delayed heading, incomplete panicle exsertion, prolonged flowering period, 

delayed maturity and high spikelet sterility. 





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ii. Scarcity of water 

The area under irrigated rice in hill districts of Uttarakhand varies from 1.5 per cent in Chamoli to 

about 8.2 per cent in Dehradun. Thus, 90 per cent of rice cultivation is dependent on rainfall. Although 

the region receives good rainfall (1100 to 2370 mm annually), its erratic nature and high run off losses 

due to sloping fields, make one or the other crop growth stage starve for water. Thus, rice crop suffers 

adversely from varied levels of drought resulting into lower rice productivity. 

Major Stresses in the Plains 

a. Biotic stresses 

i. Diseases 

Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae is the most serious and widespread 

disease of rice in the plains of Uttarakhand. The cultivation of nitrogen responsive high yielding varieties 

that are susceptible to the diseases, has increased the incidence of this disease in several areas. 

Depending on various epidemiological and predisposing factors, the losses due to bacterial leaf blight in 

grain yield may vary from 6 to 74%. The disease is favoured by a combination of weather conditions, 

namely, maximum temperature ranging between 30 and 35 0 C, minimum temperature ranging between 

24 and 26 0 C, maximum relative humidity with uniform high minimum humidity (64-84%) and heavy, 

well distributed rainfall associated with short sunny days. 

Blast of rice caused by Pyricularia grisea, is one of the most important diseases of rice in 

the hills but its incidence on a large scale has also been observed in some pockets of the plains. Brown 

spot caused by Bipolaris oryzae is widespread and occurs in most of the rice growing areas of 

Uttarakhand. However, the direct seeded rainfed rice grown in the hills is more severely affected by this 

disease than the irrigated rice. 

The introduction of new high yielding varieties and new technologies of crop production has possibly 

upset biological equilibrium, thereby disturbing the set pattern of occurrence of diseases and, in this 

process, introduced new dimensions to lesser known diseases. Sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia 

solani, hitherto regarded a minor disease, has assumed the status of a major disease in the rice growing 

tracts of Uttarakhand. Another disease which has recently assumed importance is sheath rot caused by 

Sarocladium oryzae. False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is quite prevalent in certain areas 

specially in the hilly tracts of Shivalik range. Some other diseases of minor importance in the state are 





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bacterial leaf streak caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, bacterial stripe caused by 

Pseudomonas syringae pv. panici, crown rot caused by Marasmiellus inoderma, leaf smut caused by 

Etyloma oryzae and grain discoloration caused by several fungi. 

ii. Insects 

Insect pests are a major threat to the rice crop in the tarai region of Uttarakhand. The warm and 

humid climatic conditions prevailing in most parts of the region at various stages of crop growth 

increase the population of several insects to such an extent that they attain the pest status in early 

stages of the crop which persists till maturity. Regular surveys and observations conducted during the 

crop season have revealed that the brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens), yellow stem borer 

(Scirpophaga incertulas), white backed plant hopper (Sogatella furcifera) and leaf folder 

(Cnaphalocrosis medinalis) are the major insect pests of rice in the plains. 

iii. Weeds 

In tarai, weeds grow vigorously and thus compete strongly with rice for resources. The cropweed 

competition varies with the type of rice culture (upland or lowland, puddled or unpuddled), 

variety (tall or semi-dwarf), and cultural practices (land preparation, time and method of planting, 

planting density, fertilizer application, water management, etc.). The widespread replacement of tall 

traditional varieties with semi-dwarf has increased the problem of weeds in rice. 

Weeds in lowlands of tarai include annual grasses (Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa cruss-galli, 

Echinochloa glabrescens, Ischaemum rugosum, Paspalum distichum), annual sedges (Cyperus difformis, 

Cyperus iria, Fimbristylis miliacea) and annual broad leaf weeds (Commelina benghalensis, Eclipta elba, 

Caesulia axillaris). Rice yields are reduced by about 30-40% under transplanted conditions and by about 

50-60% under direct seeded conditions depending upon the degree of weed infestation. 

Physiological or Abiotic Stresses 

Tarai soils are young and much of them were uncultivated till the last 40-50 years when the large 

forest tract was brought under rice cultivation. The problem of khaira disease of rice started with the 

beginning of the rice cultivation in this region and it has been a serious problem for tarai farmers since 

beginning. 





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c. Institutional Constraints 

The climatic situations in Uttarakhand hills are very variable. Though G.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar 

and VPKAS, Almora have their own sites of testing and validation of new technologies, the available 

locations are not sufficient looking to the needs of the hills. 

d. Socio-Economic Constraints 

The socio-economic condition of the farmers in the hills is not good. Women play a major role in 

decision making. Poor infrastructure, small and scattered holdings, poor purchasing capacity and poor 

extension network all come in the way of adoption of new technologies. 

XVII. 

ECONOMIC OF RICE PRODUCTION IN THE STATE 

Costs and returns of rice cultivation in US Nagar 2009 (Rs/ha) 

Inputs Rupees Percentage 

Material cost 

Seed 350 2 

Land preparation 3750 17 

Fertilizer: 3400 15 

Urea 1575 7 

NPK (12:32:16) 1075 5 

Biozyme 325 1 

Zinc 425 2 

Pesticide 2250 10 

Herbicide 375 2 

Irrigation 250 1 

Sub-total 13775 62 

Labour Inputs 





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Inputs Rupees Percentage 

Transplanting 2700 12 

Weeding 2500 11 

Irrigation 1100 5 

Harvesting &Threshing 1850 8 

Others 150 1 

Sub-total 8350 38 

Total cost 22075 100 

Yield (qtl) 46 

Gross return 41400 

Returns 19325 

B:C Ratio 2.14 

XVIII 

STRATEGIES AND MODERN TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE RICE PRODUCTION 

• Development of site specific varieties as per needs of farmers and consumers. 

• Development of early and medium duration hybrids for tarai and bhabhar. 

• Development of early maturing drought and cold tolerant varieties for the hills. 

• Refinement of production and protection technologies. 

• Strengthening of extension network. 

• Quality seed production and increasing seed replacement rate. 

• Conservation and proper utilization of natural resources particularly water. 

• Regular training of the farmers about new technologies and its advantages. 

• Involvement of men fork in rice farming in the hills. 

• Credit facilities for the purchase of inputs in the hills. 





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• Supply of new seeds and other chemicals in small packs as per need of the poor and marginal 

farmers in the hills. 

XIX. STATUS OF SEED PRODUCTION - DEMAND AND SUPPLY 

Sl. 

Variety 

Demand of certified seed 

Availability of seed 

No. 

in kharif 2010 (q) 

(q) 

Plains 

1. Pant Dhan 4 2100 2100 

2. Pant Dhan 12 4000 4000 

3. Narendra 359 5400 5400 

4. PR 113 4000 4000 

5. PR 114 1200 1200 

6. Type 3 100 100 

7. IMPROVED Pusa Basmati-1 800 600 

8. Basmati 370 100 000 

9. Pusa 1121 800 800 

10. PRH 10 500 000 

Hills 

11. VL 207/ 209 1000 60 

12. VL 154/ 221 1000 100 

13. VL 85/ 86 1200 600 

14. VL 82 1500 150 

15. Pant Dhan 11 2000 2000 

16. Pant Dhan 6 1000 000 

17. Govind 500 200 

Source: Directorate of Agriculture, Uttarakhand 





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XX. MODERN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS USED IN RICE PRODUCTION 

Rice cultivation in the hills and bhabhar is traditional using desi plough and locally made 

implements due to shallow and gravelly soils and very small undulated holdings. In tarai, rice farming is 

mechanized to a great extent where farmers make use of the tractors, ploughs and puddlers for field 

preparation, tractor driven/manually operated plant protection equipments and combines for harvesting 

and threshing. Farmers have also realized the need of rotavator for field levelling and cono-weeder for 

weeding. Good rice transplanters are not available which is needed by all the big farmers of tarai. 

XXI. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD 

Rice is the main crop of kharif season in this state and it will continue to remain the first choice 

among the existing crops of the season in the plains because no other crop can tolerate high rainfall and 

water logging and in the hills because no other crop can alleviate the hunger problems of the hill people 

and provide fodder for the animals. The rice yields in the plains are as high as in the neighbouring 

agriculturally advanced states of the Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. Even though there still 

exists a wide gap between the potential yields and actual farm yields, the adoption of modern 

technologies is very high in the plains. 

In the hills the main reasons for a wide gap between potential yield and actual farm yields relate 

to the problems of irrigation, poor adoption of technologies and socio-economic factors. The government 

and extension agencies have to play a pro-active role in the development, spread and adoption of 

technologies. On the research front specific technologies have to be developed for a wide range of 

situations characterized by local agro-climatic and socio-economic factors. Conservation agriculture 

practiced by many hill farmers has to be given proper attention. 

XXII. FUTURE THRUST IN RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES 

The rice area in this state is very small (currently about 2.8 lakh ha) and every year some area is 

being diverted to the industries and related housing colonies, so the main thrust on increasing rice 

productivity in future has to be on increasing per unit productivity. Hybrid rice and genetically resistant 

varieties to biotic stresses can help in filling the existing gap between potential and actual farm yields in 

the plains. Basmati rice cultivation has to be brought under the umbrella of organic farming to reduce the 

cost of cultivation and increase the profitability. Mechanization of rice farming in the plains is another 





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area of thrust as labour cost component in rice farming is very high. Only mechanization can reduce this. 

Site specific nutrient management has to be popularized. 

In the hills increasing rice productivity is a difficult task. Bringing more are under irrigation 

through watershed management and aerobic farming have to be given main thrust. The cropping system 

needs a big change by developing new varieties which could be sown in the month of June (jethi dhan) 

rather than in March/ April (chetaki dhan) where germination and early growth are adversely affected by 

moisture and cold stresses. After rains weeds become a big problem for the farmers. Timely supply of 

critical inputs like certified seed, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals at subsidized rates and in small 

packs have to be given important consideration. Location specific technology need to be developed 

taking into consideration the farmers socio-economic and other factors of regional/ local importance. 

FFS’s have to be result oriented and farmer friendly. 

Table 1. Rice Area, Production and Productivity in Uttarakhand 

Year Area (ha) Production (q) Productivity 

Hills Plains Total Hills Plains total Hills Plains total 

2000-01 159323 153333 312656 202084 419387 621471 12.68 27.35 19.88 

2001-02 144033 139218 283251 182390 388231 570621 12.66 27.46 20.14 

2002-03 139138 124661 263799 155920 324410 480329 11.20 26.02 18.21 

2003-04 147270 135043 282313 190544 340268 530812 12.94 25.20 18.80 

2004-05 161356 137732 299088 196081 353966 550047 12.15 25.70 18.39 

2005-06 144238 148859 293097 182637 381291 563928 12.66 25.61 19.24 

2006-07 148147 125188 27335 196437 336290 532727 13.26 26.86 19.49 





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2007-08 147419 128193 275608 199796 349782 549578 13.55 27.29 19.94 

2008-09 142374 13873 281147 189647 346188 535835 13.32 24.95 19.06 

2009-10 132496 145388 277884 166232 400509 566741 12.55 27.55 20.39 

Growing situation Name of variety Average 

yield (q/ha) 

Maturity 

(days) 

I. Direct seed – rainfed 

a. Spring (March/ April seeded) 

Chetki Dhan Majhera 3 18-20 160-165 

Pant Majhera Dhan 7 21-23 165-170 

VL Dhan 206 20-22 160-165 

VL Dhan 207 18-20 160-165 

VL Dhan 208 18-20 160-165 

VL Dhan 209 18-22 160-165 

b. June seeded 

Jhethi Dhan VL Dhan 163 22-25 110-115 

VL Dhan 221 22-25 113-118 

Vivek Dhan 154 20-25 100-110 

II. Irrigated 

a. Lower Hills Saket 4 45-50 115-120 

Prasad 50-55 120-125 





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Govind 40-45 110-115 

Pant Dhan 11 42-48 118-125 

b. Medium Hills 

i. Early maturing VLK Dhan 39 40-42 115-120 

Pant Dhan 6 40-42 117-122 

VL Dhan 81 40-42 120-122 

VL Dhan 85 45-50 112-120 

Vivek Dhan 82 42-45 120-125 

ii. Medium maturing VL Dhan 16 45-50 125-130 

VL Dhan 61 50-55 130-135 

Vivek Dhan 62 45-50 125-130 

VL Dhan 65 50-55 130-135 

c. Higher Hills VL Dhan 86 50-51 112-120 

Type for category Name of variety Average yield 

(q/ha) 

Maturity (days) 

Normal/ Inbred Govind 40-45 105-110 

Pant Dhan 4 55-60 125-130 

Pant Dhan 10 50-60 120-130 

Pant Dhan 12 55-60 115-122 

Narendra 80 40-45 113-115 

Narendra 80 40-45 113-115 

Narendra 97 40-45 100-105 





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Sarju 52 55-60 130-135 

NDR 359 55-60 130-135 

Pant Dhan 18 62-65 130-135 

Pant Dhan 19 65-70 125-130 

PR 113 50-55 125-130 

PR 114 55-60 140-145 

Hybrid Pant Sankar Dhan 1 65-70 115-120 

Pant Sankar Dhan 3 65-70 125-130 

Narendra Sankar Dhan 2 65-70 125-130 

Pusa RH 10 45-50 115-120 

KRH 2 70-75 125-130 

DRRH 2 55-60 115-116 

Arize 6444 70-75 130-135 

Basmati Type 3 30-35 135-140 

Basmati 370 25-30 135-140 

Pusa Basmati-1 40-45 140-145 

Kashuri 30-35 125-130 

Pusa 1121 35-40 135-140 

Taraori Basmati 20-25 150-160 

Pant Sugandha Dhan 15 35-40 135-140 

Pant Sugandha Dhan 17 40-45 130-135 

Table 3: Local germplasm having special features 





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Sl. 

No. 

Germplasm 

Special features 

1. Dehradun Basmati Fine quality, most ancient basmati rice, probably the mother 

of all basmati rices developed later 

2. Tapovan Basmati Red husked basmati variety having excellent cooking 

qualities and aroma. 

3. Hansraj Basmati variety with least breadth-wise swelling on cooking 

4. Tilakchandan Medium grained aromatic variety with high kernel 

elongation 

5. Bindli Medium bold grains, strong aroma and high elongation in 

cooking 

6. Thapachi Drought tolerance 

7. Jolia Drought tolerance 

8. Bamni Drought tolerance 

9. China 4 Earliness and cold tolerance 

10. Kashmiri Earliness and cold tolerance 

11. Kaladhan Earliness 

12. Nabba Dhan Earliness 

13. Dudhia Quality 

14. Katuri Quality 

15. Naaj Quality 





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AREA UNDER HIGH YIELDING VARITIES 

Exact data on the area under high yielding varieties is not available. Almost entire rice area in 

District Udham Singh Nagar is irrigated and under high yielding varieties ,it is less than 20 percent in hill 

districts which are rainfed. Farmers on Hardwar District grow several types of aromatic varietties 

including the basmati types ,the area under high yielding varieties is around 50-60 percent . High yielding 

varieties are popular in the plains of Nainital and Dehradun districts ,but only locals are grown in the hills. 





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CONTRIBUTORS 

1. Dr. S.C. Mani 

Ex-Professor & Additional Director Research 


2. Dr. P.K. Agrawal 

Head, Crop Improvement Division 

VPKAS, Almora – 263 601 

3. Dr. D.K. Singh 

Senior Research Officer 

Department of Agronomy 






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