The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Pilicode, has implemented an innovative programme for eradicating the wild rice menace in paddy fields using Japan Violet, a rice variety, in Kasaragod district.
T. Vanaja, Associate Director of Research, said because of the wild rice, a majority of farmers were reluctant to cultivate the first crop as the weed was a major problem during the season.
Dr. Vanaja said as part of the project, the research station had distributed 300 kg of Japan Violet seeds for cultivation on 10 acres at Thimiri Vayal Padasekharam.
Sixteen groups, consisting of farmers, students, members of youth clubs had joined the effort to remove the wild rice.
