Paddy named after Bathukamma in full bloom in other states

The nine-day Bathukamma festival began in the state on Sunday, bringing cheer to researchers and scientists too as a paddy variety named after the floral festival is paying rich dividends due to its ability to withstand heavy rain and diseases.

- Sribala.Vadalapatla @timesgroup.com

The Bathukamma paddy has become popular in manystates with demands for seed pouring in from Karnataka, TN, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.

These states, cumulatively, have more extent of land under Bathukamma than Telangana. Interestingly, the name Bathukamma was suggested by farmers from Jagtial during discussions with researchers.

Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) developed the Bathukamma paddy seed in 2018, but work had began seven years earlier, anticipating state division and that more varieties would be required to suit Telangana's climatic conditions.

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