Status Paper On Rice in Maharashtra

RICE IN MAHARASHTRA
Status Paper on Rice in Maharashtra
B. L. Thaware*, R. L. Kunkerkar and H. A. Shivade.
*ADR,
Regional Agricultural Research Station,
Karjat-410201, Maharashtra, India
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RICE IN MAHARASHTRA
I. NAME OF THE STATE: MAHARASHTRA

II. INTRODUCTION :
Maharashtra is located in the western part of India along the Arabian Sea. It lies
between 15° 44’ to 22° 6’ N and 72° 36’ to 80° 54’ E. The total area of Maharashtra State
is 307,000 square kilometres, which is 9.36% of the country. Considering the area and
population, Maharashtra state is the third largest state in India. The population of the
state is 80 million which is 9.47% of the country’s total population
In Maharashtra rice is the second important crop of the people, which is grown over
an area of 14.99 lakh hectares with an annual rough rice production of 32.37 lakh tones.
The average productivity of the state is 2.01 t/ha. Maharashtra ranks 13th place in rice
production in country. The average productivity of the Maharashtra state is low as
compared to other rice growing states viz. Panjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh
etc.
The region wise area, production and productivity in the State are as below.
Rice / Rough rice Rice /Rough rice

Sr. Area
production productivity
Region
No. (lakh ha)
(lakh tones) (t/ha)
1. Konkan 4.136 10.42/15.10 2.56/3.65
2. Western Maharashtra (Rice

3.298 6.08/8.82 1.85/2.67
growing districts)
3. Marathwada (Non traditional

0.242 0.10/0.14 0.42/0.59
rice growing area)
4. Vidarbha 7.319 5.73/8.31 0.78/1.14
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Total 14.995 22.34/32.37 1.39/2.01
Ref : Maharashtra State Statistics Dept. Pune (2008-09).
The area (7.32 lakh ha) of rice crop is more in Vidarbha region. The highest productivity
was observed in Konkan region i.e. 2.56 t/ha (3.65 t/ha for rough rice). Marathwada
region is the non-traditional rice growing area. Due to the erratic and less rainfall in
Marathwada region, the average productivity of rice crop is lowest i.e. 0.41 t/ha (0.59
t/ha for rough rice).
III. RICE PRODUCTION SCENARIO IN THE STATE:

Rice is the second important crop after Jowar in Maharashtra State. The total area under
rice crop remained stable around 15 lakh ha and production around 24 lakh tones with 1.7 to 1.9
t/ha productivity during last 15 years in the state. The Agricultural Universities in the state has
released total 54 high yielding varieties, 4 rice hybrids and developed improved package of
practices for cultivation of rice crop since 1970. The decade wise progress in production of rice in
state indicated bellow.
Table: Means of Area, Production and Productivity of rice during the decades of Maharashtra
State
Particulars 1960-61 to 1970-71 to 1980-81 to 1990-91 to

1969-70 1979-80 1989-90 1999-2009
Area (‘000’ ha) 1334.70 1358.0 1490.50 1534.33

Production (‘000’ mt) 1314.70 1533.50 2173.40 2424.00
Productivity (t\ha) 0.99 1.13 1.46 1.94
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IV. GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATOR:

a. Climate:
Maharashtra has typical monsoon climate, with hot, rainy and cold weather
seasons. Tropical conditions prevail all over the state, and even the hill stations are
not that cold. Dew, frost, hail can also be happened sometimes according to the
seasonal weather.
Summer: March, April and May are the hottest months. During April and May
thunderstorms are common all over the state. Temperature varies between 22°C-
39°C during this season.
Rainy: Rainfall starts normally in the first week of June. July is the wettest month in
Maharashtra, while August too gets substantial rain. Monsoon starts its retreat with
the coming of September from the state.
Winter: Cool dry spell, with clear skies gentle breeze and pleasant weather prevails
from November to February. But the eastern part of Maharashtra sometimes
receives some rainfall. Temperature varies between 12°C-34°C during this season.
Maharashtra state is divided in to seven meteorological sub-divisions :
1) North Konkan: - The climate is warm and humid with more than 2500 mm of rain.
The maximum and minimum temperature are 300 to 310 C and 220 to 240 C
respectively. This sub-division consists of Thane, Raigad, Mumbai, Navi-Mumbai
districts. The general topography is hilly to undulating but mostly less than 300 m in
altitude.
2) South Konkan:- This sub-division consists of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts. This
region receives very high rainfall ranging between 2,000 to 4,000 mm, 90% of it
during June to October (100-110 days). The relative humidity varies from 90-95% in
Kharif and 80-85% in Rabi season. The average rainfall received in district Ratnagiri
(3,713 mm) is relatively higher than in district Sindhugarh (3,564 mm). The mean,
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minimum and maximum temperature varies from 19.9 to 34.0 oC in Ratnagiri and
from 22.7 to 31.2 oC in district Sindhudurg.

3) North Madhya Maharashtra:- This meteorological sub-division covers Pune, Nasik,
Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar districts.
4) South Madhya Maharashtra:- Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur districts reckoned
under this meteorological sub-divisions.
5) Marathawada :- This division consists ofAurangabad, Jalna, Beed, Nanded,
Osmanabad, Latur, Parbhani, Hingoli districts.
6) West Vidarbha :- This met- subdivisions consists of Buldhana, Akola, Amravati,
Yavatmal, Washim districts.
7) East Vidarbha : - Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur, Bhandara,Gadchiroli, Gondia districts
comes under East Vidarbha meteorological sub-division.
b. Soil type
1. Black soils:
These are the most important soils covering the maximum area in the state. They
are derived from Deccan trap and are found in all districts except Ratnagiri district and
parts of Chandrapur district.
These soils have good potash content, fair to less than fair phosphates and a low
nitrogen and organic matter content. These are clayey soils and their clay content varies
from 30 to 60 per cent and above. The upper and lower parts of the profile do not
substantially differ in their clay content. The pore space varies from 40 to 60 per cent.
They are mildly alkaline in reaction with pH ranging from 7.2 to 8.5.
According to the topographical situation, they vary in depth from a few cm on
steeper slopes to more than 60 cm in valleys and can thus be classified as a) shallow
black soils found on the ridges, b) medium black soils as noticed in the intermediate
positions and c) deep black soils in lowlying situations.
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The shallow black soils are lighter or dull grayish black in colour and their depth is
about 30 cm. They are usually quite low in fertility. The medium black soils are more
clayey than the above and their depth is around a meter. The deep black soils are mainly
developed on alluvial material along the courses of big rivers like Tapi, Godavari, Bhima,
Krishna, etc. and are observed on low-lying or flat topography. These are highly fertile
soils.
2. Red soils:
In western Maharashtra, these soils are observed in the western portion of Pune
district and also in Thane and Raigad districts. These soils are formed from mixed parent
material such as granite, gneiss, schist, trap, etc.
On hill slopes, the slopes are coarse, sandy in nature while in valleys they are clay
loams. The soils of the hill slopes may be only 9 to 45 cm in depth while those of the flat
lands and valleys are deeper than 60 cm. Their pH is slightly on the acidic side. Paddy is
the main Kharif crop while in rabi season, crops like rabi jowar and pulses are taken on
deeper soils.
3. Lateritic soils:
Because of the forest vegetation and warm humid climate, the Deccan trap has
given rise to laterites and lateritic soils in the southern part of Raigad, most of Ratnagiri,
western parts of Satara, Sangli, Nasik and Kolhapur districts. Because of alkaline reaction
of the percolating water, the silica from the original rock disintegrates leaving a residue
of sesqui-oxides in the rock as well as in the soil. Intense leaching accompanied by high
rainfall removes all the bases from soil giving it a distinctly acidic character with a pH 5.0
to 6.0. The soils are usually loamy in texture, fairly deep and with low retention of
moisture. The clays are mostly of the keolinitic type.
The laterites have three varieties of soils, viz., reice soils, warkas (light) soils and
garden soils. The rice soils are generally found in lowlying areas which receive the eroded
soils from the upper reach and are usually rich in organic matter. The warkas soils which
are on hill slopes are shallow and eroded soils, coarse in texture and yellowish red in
colour. Nagli (Eleusine coracana) is the principal crop grown on these soils; it responds
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well to N and P fertilizers. The garden soils are light, easily workable, yellowish to
brownish in colour and mostly support areca nut and coconut plantations.
4. Alluvial soils:
These soils are of two types, a) alluviums along the main rivers like Tapi, Godavari,
Bhima, Krishna etc. b) Coastal alluvium as noticed on the coastal side of Thane and
Raigad districts. The former are more clayey and the latter more silty and sandy in
nature.
5. Forest and hill soils:
These soils are also derived from trap and occupy the mountainous terrain in the
west in the districts of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur and in the
east in Chandrapur district. As the rainfall in this region is comparatively high (1200 to
2000 mm), the soils are low in base status and neutral to slightly acidic in reaction.
These soils of the Western Ghats are known as kumris, and when terraced, they
can be put under paddy of hill millets. The soils of Chandrapur district are locally known
as bardi, retadi, etc. and thus indicate their coarseness. These soils are mainly put under
hill millets.
6. Saline alkali soils :
Depending upon the causes of their formation, these are also of two types viz., a)
coastal saline soil, and b) saline-alkaline soils of the inland region. The coastal saline soils
all along the west coast in the districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Thane and Raigad. In the
immediate vicinity of the coast or creeks, the soil impregnated with salts (NaCl) from sea
to the extent of 0.2 per cent. In spite of the high rainfall to the extent of about 2000 mm
and above in these areas, they are suitable only for growing saline resistant rice varieties
which is the common crop of the region. These soils are locally known as khar or khajan
lands. Government has constituted a special kharland development board for reclaiming
these areas by putting up high embankments along the creeks to prevent the ingress of
sea water and subsequently by flooding and draining the soils.
The saline-alkaline soils of the inland areas are developed as a result of various
causes, such as 1) rise of subsoil water level due to indiscriminate irrigation over a long
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period of time, 2) use of subsoil water level due to indiscriminate irrigation over a long
period of time, 3) Occurrence of impervious subsoil 4) salt bearing subsoil strata.
c. Rainfall
Rainfall in Maharashtra differs from region to region. Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and
Sindhudurg districts, receive heavy rains of an average of 2,000 to 4,000 mm
annually. But the districts of Nasik, Pune, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Satara, Sangli,
Solapur and parts of Kolhapur get rainfall less than 500 to 700 mm. Rainfall
particularly concentrates to the Konkan and Sahyadrian Maharashtra. Central
Maharashtra receives less rainfall. However, under the influence of the Bay of Bengal,
eastern Vidarbha receives good rainfall about 1100 to 1600 mm in July, August and
September.
d. Agro-climatic zones:
Zone-1 : Very high rainfall zone with lateritic soils (VRL)
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This zone includes the whole Shindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts, the western border
strip of Chandgad, Ajra, Gargoti, Radhanagari, Bawada and Shahuwadi talukas of
Kolhapur district and Mahad and Poladpur talukas of Raigad district.
The climate is warm and humid with more than 2500 mm of rain. The maximum and
minimum temperature are 300 to 310 C and 220 to 240 C respectively. The dense
vegetation of moist, deciduous forest and tree savannah has profound effect on the
formation of soils. The general topography is hilly to undulating and the soil depth varies
from less than 30 cm on hill slopes to about 100 to 150 cm in valleys.
The soils are derived from laterites which are developed on the top of besalts by the
process of laterization. The texture is sandy loam to clayey loam. Paddy, nagli (Eleusine
coracana) and hill millets like wari (Panicum miliaceum) and sawa (Panicum miliare) are
the main crops grown. In heavy soils, paddy is followed by wal (Dolichos lablab).
Zone-2 : Very high rainfall zone with, non-lateritic soils (VRN)

This zone comprises of the whole of Thane district, remaining parts of Raigad
districts and western parts of Igatpuri, Trimbak, Peint and Surgana talukas of Nasik
district.
The climate is slightly warmer and more humid than zone 1 and the mean
maximum and minimum temperatures are also higher. The general topography is hilly to
undulating but mostly less than 300 m in altitude.
Soils derived from the deccan trap are non-lateritic and are formed under
conditions of intense leaching. The depth varies from one to four feet. Crops grown are
about the same in Zone 1, but in heavy soils, rabi crops like wheat and gram are also
taken.
Zone -3 : Ghat zone (Gh)

It includes the unevenly narrow strip running from north to south along the crest
of the Sahyadri range having about 1,000 m altitude towards western i.e. seaward side
and up to 600 m towards the eastern slopes of these ranges. The area included under
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this Zone comprises of the hilly, high hilly terrain round about the ghats of Amboli, Fonda
and Amba in Kolhapur district, Koyana and Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, Lonavala
and Khandala in Pune district, Kalsoobai hills in Akola taluka of Ahmednagar district and
Igatpuri and Trimbak in Nasik district.
The high-lying hilly terrains have more than 5000 mm rainfall and are mostly
covered by deciduous to semi-deciduous forests. The maximum and minimum
temperatures are the lowest among all the zones.
The soils are warkas which grow inferior hill millets like wari , sawa and oilseed
corp like niger.
Zone 4: Transition -1 with red to reddish brown soils (TR1)

Immediately on the eastern side of the Sahyadri ranges, this zone is narrow north-
south strip running through the western hilly flank of Kolhapur district, western part of
Shirala taluka of Sangli district, central strip of Patan and Madha talukas of Satara district,
western part of Bhor, Welhe and Paund talukas, central part of Vadgaon and western
strip of Khed, Ambegaon and Junnar talukas in Pune district, western side of Akola taluka
in Ahmadnagar district and eastern part of Igatpuri taluka and central part of Trimbak,
Peint and western boundary of Dindori talukas and the whole of western half of Surgana
taluka of Nasik district.
The rainfall is between 1700 to 2500 mm. The soil are mainly red to brown with
vary in depth and texture. The main crops grown are paddy, Nagli and Niger.
Zone 5 : Transition 2 : with grayish black soils (TR2)
This comprises of eastern strip of Kolhapur district, Shirala taluka of Sangli district,
central strip of Satara district, central part of Bhor and eastern part of Paund taluka in
Pune district, central portion of Akola taluka in Ahmadnagar district, western boundary
of Sinner taluka, central portion of Nashik district, eastern part of Igatpuri taluka and
western part covering Akkalkua of Akrani taluka, western part of taloda, Nandurbar and
Sakari taluka in Dhulia district.
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The rainfall ranges from 700 mm to 1750 mm. Summers and winters are warm
than Zone 3 and Zone 4. Soil are grayish black in colour and of varying texture dependent
upon local topography.
Zone 6 : Scarcity Zone
The vast area in the mid eastern Maharashtra is traditionally known as famine
area of the state, it comprises of Jat, Kavthe mahankal and Atpadi talukas of Sangli,
Indapur, Daund, eastern part of Ambegaon talukas of Pune, Eastern part of Satara
district, Middle and eastern talukas of Ahmadnagar and whole of Solapur district
excluding eastern part of Barshi, Solapur and Akkalkot taluka. It is bounded by isohyte700
mm on both the sides. Soil is calcarious, grayish black in colour and varying depth and
textures.
Zone 7: Assured rainfall with mainly khirif cropping (ARK)
This zone includes the remaining parts of Solapur, Osmanabad, Bid, Aurangabad
and Jalgaon districts, Akola district, Amravati district excluding the eastern part of
Chandur and Morshi talukas, western half of Parbhani district and southern Nanded
district. The rainfall on western side is 700 mm and increases up to 900 mm on eastern
side. The cropping pattern is more of Kharif type and the yields are higher than those of
Zone-6. The soils are more or less similar to those of Zone- 6 and the topography is
almost flat to rolling plains. Under assured rainfall conditions, the clayey deep soils pose
a problem of temporary water-logging.
Zone 8: Moderate to moderately high rainfall with soils formed from trap (MR)
It includes the remaining parts of Nanded, Parbhani, Akola and Amravati district,
whole of Yeotmal and Wardha districts, whole of Nagpur district excluding the eastern
strip covering parts in Umred, Nagpur and Ramtek talukas and western part of
Chandrapur district.
This is predominantly a Kharif tract with a rainfall of 900 mm on the western side
increasing upon 1,250 mm on the eastern side. The soils are similar to those of Zone- 6
and Zone-7. The problem of temporary waterlogging also exists in this region. Kharif
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crops like cotton, sorghum, groundnut, tur, soyabean etc. and rabi crops like wheat, gram
and linseed are grown.
Zone 9: High rainfall with soils formed from mixed rocks (HRM)
The whole of Bhandara district and the remaining parts of Nagpur and
Chandrapur districts are included in this zone. It forms the extreme eastern part of the
state. It has higher rainfall than Zone-7 and Zone-8 and has warmer climate than these
two zones. The rainfall is above 1250 mm and is little beyond 1700 mm on the far eastern
side. The natural vegetation is of deciduous open forests with thickets.
The soils are derived chiefly from mixed parent rocks like granite, gneiss and
schist. They are yellowish brown to red in colour and coarse in texture. The predominant
crop is paddy in Kharif season and other crops like wheat, gram, linseed, rabi jowar and
lakh are also grown in rabi season.
V. RICE PRODUCTION SCENARIO
Maximum productivity is observed in Konkan region and it contributes 42.91 % of total

rice production in the state. Vidarbha region covers large area under rice cultivation than other
regions but it has low productivity than Konkan and Western Maharashtra regions.
There are major four regions of Maharashtra state where the rice crop is grown. The region wise
area, production and productivity in the State are as below.
Rice / Rough rice Rice /Rough rice

Sr. Area % Area in production productivity
the state
No. Region (lakh ha)
(lakh tones) (t/ha)
1. Konkan 4.136 27.58 10.42/15.10 2.56/3.65
2. Western Maharashtra 3.298 21.99 6.08/8.82 1.85/2.67
3. Marathwada 0.242 1.61 0.10/0.14 0.42/0.59
4. Vidarbha 7.319 48.80 5.73/8.31 0.78/1.14
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Total 14.995 -- 22.34/32.37 1.39/2.01
Ref : Maharashtra State Statistics Dept. Pune (2008-09).
VI. DISTRICT WISE RICE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE MAHARASHTRA
Table: The different districts under these ecosystems and the predominant varieties under each
ecosystem are as follows.
Sr.
Ecosystem Districts
No.
1. Rainfed lowland Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, Kolhapur
Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia and some

2. Rainfed upland parts of Nagpur, Kolhapur & some part of Raigad,
Osmanabad, Nanded, Parbhani
3. Irrigated Nasik, Nagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur,
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VII. CROPPING SYSTEM – ZONE-WISE
Rice base Cropping Systems followed in Maharashtra State:
Zones Following are the rice base Cropping Systems followed in

the state
North Konkan Coastal Zone Irrigated : Rice – Rice, Groundnut, Mustard, Maize,
Vegetable
Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Dolichusbean, Horsegram,
Redgram, Greengram, Bengalgram,
Cowpea
South Konkan Coastal Zone Irrigated : Rice – Rice, Groundnut, Pulses, Vegetable
Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Pulses
Western Ghat Zone Irrigated : Rice – Gram, lentil, peas, wheat, Mixed pulses,
Vegetable
Sub Mountain Zone Irrigated : Rice – Gram, Pulses, peas, wheat
Eastern Vidarbha Zone Irrigated : Rice – Rice, Pulses
VIII. RICE GROWING SEASONS AND REGIONS
In Maharashtra State, where the principal rice crop is cultivated under rainfed conditions
during Kharif, the rural poverty is very high and the economic condition of the farmers depends
on the rainfall during the monsoon season. In Marathwada region, area under rice comprises of
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90000 ha which is cultivated completely as a drilled and rainfed crop, In Konkan region, rice is
grown in rabi-summer season on a meager area i.e. 16000 ha which comes under Rajnala and
Kal project of Raigad district.
Rice growing regions are broadly divided in to two groups in the state.
Traditional rice growing region: In this region rice crop is cultivated under assured rainfall
condition. This region consists of 23 districts in the state as given below.
1) Konkan : Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg

2) Vidarbha : Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim
Amravati and Yavatmal
3.) Western Maharashtra: Kolhapur, Satara, Pune, Ahmednagar, Nashik & Nandurbar.
Dhule, Jalgaon, Solapur, Sangli
Non-traditional rice growing region:
In this region mostly rice crop is cultivated by drilling the seed in black soil under rainfed
or irrigated condition. There are six districts under this region viz., Osmanabad, Parbhani,
Nanded, Hingoli, Latur and Beed where rice is grown in some parts of the district.
Region wise rice varieties grown in Maharashtra State
Zone Districts Rice Varieties
Konkan Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Karjat-184, Karjat 2, Karjat –3

Sindhudurg Karjat 4, Karjat-5, Karjat-6, Karjat-7
Palghar 1, Palghar 2, Panvel 1, Panvel 2
Panvel 3, Phondaghat 1, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri 711,

Ratnagiri 73, Ratnagiri 1, Ratnagiri 2, Ratnagiri 3,
Ratna , Jaya, Mahsuri. Sahyadri,
Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Proagro,

Suruchi, Swarna, Gujrat-11, Rupali
Vidharbha Bhandara, Chandrapur, SKL 6, SKL 7, PKV Ganesh,
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Gadchiroli, Gondia and some SYE 1, SYE 4, SYE 5, HMT Sona, Rupali,
parts of Nagpur PKV Makrand, PKV HMT , SYE 75, Chinoor
Western Nasik, Nagar, Pune, Satara, Amb-157, Kolamba, Chibbur K-42, Waksal-207
Maharashtra Sangli, Kolhapur Zinia-31, ACK 5, Indrayani, Pawana
Kundalika, VDN 12327, RDN-185-2
Phule Radha, Bhogawati, Jalgaon 5 , Sahyadri,
Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Ratnagiri 24,

Ratnagiri -73, Ratnagiri-1.
Marathwada Parbhani, Osmanabad, Nanded Darana, Tulajapur-1, Prabhawati, Ambika
Sugandha, Terana , Parag,
a. Season-wise varieties/ hybrids
Season Varieties / Hybrid
Kharif Karjat-184, Karjat 2, Karjat –3, Karjat 4, Karjat-5, Karjat-6, Karjat-7,

Palghar 1, Palghar 2, Panvel 1, Panvel 2, Panvel 3, Phondaghat 1,
Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri 711, Ratnagiri 73, Ratnagiri 1, Ratnagiri 2,
Ratnagiri 3, Ratna , Jaya, Mahsuri. Walai, Bela, Patni, Damga,
Botwel, Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Proagro,
Suruchi, Swarna, Gujrat-11, Rupali, SKL 6, SKL 7, PKV Ganesh, SYE 1,
SYE 4, SYE 5, HMT Sona, Rupali, PKV Khamang, PKV Makrand, PKV
HMT , SYE 75, Chinoor, Amb-157, Kolamba, Chibbur K-42, Waksal-
207, Zinia-31, Satya, Suhasini, Surya, ACK 5, Indrayani, Pawana,
Kundalika, VDN 12327, RDN-185-2, Phule Radha, Bhogawati, Jalgaon
5 , Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Ratnagiri 24,
Ratnagiri -73, Ratnagiri-1, Darana, Tulajapur-1, Prabhawati, Ambika,
Sugandha, Terana, Parag.
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Rabi Karjat-184, Karjat –3, Karjat 4, Karjat-7, Ratna , Jaya, Bela, Sahyadri
– 2, Sahyadri-4, SKL 6, SYE 1.
X. RECOMMENDED PACKAGE OF PRACTICES
a. Traditional
Cultivation Practices Region
Transplanting Konkan and Vidarbha region
Direct seeding Non-traditional rice growing area of Marathwada

and Western Maharashtra.
Dibbling In scarcity zone (Zone-6) of the state.
Rahu Used during natural calamities at the time of

sowing.
b. Modern Important agronomical practices recommended for rice cultivation in Maharashtra State.
Particulars Direct seeded Transplanted
Broad casting Drilling Dibbling Local HYVs Hybrids

(Rahu)
Seed rate (Kg/ha) 80 60-65 30 80 30-35 15-20
Age of seedling - - - 25-30 21-30 10-25
Spacing (cm) - 25-30 25x10 Random 15x15 15x15
20x15 20x15
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No. of seedlings/ hill - - - - 3-4 1-2
Fertilizer dose (kg/ha) N 45 60-80 100 45 100 150
P2O5 15 40-50 50 15 50 50
K2 O 15 40-50 50 15 50 50
Average grain yield (q/ha) 16-18 24-25 28-30 18-20 35-40 60-65
Four Point Agro Technique in Rice Crop
Recycling of rice plant residues (Rice hull, Ash and straw)

Application of rice hull ash to seedbed for growing rice seedlings
@ 0.5 to 1.0 kg/m2 seedbed before sowing of rice seed
Incorporation of rice straw into soil during ploughing
@ 2.0 t/ha Glyricidia Green Manuring
@ 2.0 t/ha Green leaf biomass
Control planting of Rice Seedling
Row to row 25 cm x 15 cm plant to plant
Deep placement of Urea-Diammonium phosphate (Urea-DAP)
Briquettes after controlled transplanting of rice seedlings
@ 170 kg Urea- DAP briquettes per hectare
Each briquette 2.5 gm
Placement 7 to 10 cm in Soil
@ 56 kg/N and 30 kg P2O5 per hectare dose
Benefits
Fertilizer use efficiency Increase up to 70%
Eco-friendly
Reduction in fertilizer use

Increase in yield up to 20 %
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Use of Biofertilizers :
1. Application of Blue Green Algae @ 20 kg/ha at 8-10 DAT.
2. Application of Azolla @ 4-5 q/ha at 10 DAT.
Drum seeder:
Drum seeder is equipment used for direct sowing of seed. Drum seeder is of 175cm long with
drum length of 30 cm which allows spacing between row to row 20 cm. The sprouted seeds can be used
in the drum. Drum seeder is made up of Plastic material so it is light in weight so two persons can draw
this seeder easily. Also the adjustment for seeding and spacing is possible. Drum seeder detachable so it
can be easily transported from plot to another plot. Price of Drum seeder is Rs.3500/- only.
c. Most popular rice varieties/hybrids of the state
List of popular rice varieties is presented in Table no. 3
Zone Popular varieties/ Hybrids
Konkan region Karjat-184, Karjat –3, Karjat-5, Karjat-7, Palghar 1, Panvel 1, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri 1,
Ratna , Jaya, Mahsuri, Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Suruchi,
Swarna, Gujrat-11, Rupali
Vidharbha SKL 6, PKV Ganesh, SYE 1, HMT Sona, Rupali
Western Amb-157, Indrayani, Pawana, Bhogawati, Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3,

Maharashtra Sahyadri-4, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri -73, Ratnagiri-1.
Marathwada Terana , Parag
d. Post-harvest operations
Threshing:
The crop is harvested close to the ground when about 90 per cent of the grains in the
panicle are grey in colour ( Straw colour). Delayed harvesting causes considerable loss by
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shattering of grains resulting in considerable loss in yield and increased percentage of broken
rice in hulling and due to damage by rats and birds. The right stage of harvesting is when the
ears are nearly ripe and the straw slightly green. The crop is generally cut with a sickle by
manual labour or with a mechanical reaper, self propelled harvester, etc. and dried in the field
for 3-4 days. The combine harvester is available for harvesting, threshing, winnowing and
cleaning of seeds. The crop is threshed by hand beating or by pedal thresher or by mechanical
thresher.
Drying: Seeds are dried up to 13% moisture
Storage: Paddy grains are stored in Kangi, Bags, Bin. Paddy straw is stored in heep.
IX. TRADITIONAL CULTIVARS/VARIETIES GROWN, IF ANY IN THE STATE

Traditional cultivars:
Botwel, Mhadi, Walai, Bela, Patni, Bhadas, Kalarata, Bhurarata, Kolamb, Kolpi,
Jiresal, Kala girga, Ghansal, Kothimbari Sal (Bodga), Champakali, Krishna Sal, Tambada
jog, Ambemohar, Kasbai, Thilsa, White Luchai, Chinoor, Halga, Zinia.
Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs):
These traditional cultivars are cultivated in specific geographical area of the state,
the transplanting and dibbling are the popular methods for cultivation, the use of
fertilizers is very low. The area under traditional varieties is meager but specific features
like fine, scent and nutritional value. This cultivars are cultivated for the local market
home consumptions and religious occasions.
i) Rab :
Rab is an age-old practice followed in the Konkan region in which farmers burn the piece of land
where rice nursery is to be raised. It was found that 87.09 per cent farmers adopted the Rab
preparation method for raising rice seedlings. There was a variation in the material used for Rab
due to ecological aspects, vegetation, availability of material and location of the fields. It was
also found that the material like dry leaves, cow dung, dry grass, branches of trees, byre waste,
etc. were used for Rab. Rabbing is a practice which consists of burning cow-dung cakes, tree-
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lopping, leaves, grass etc. by making layers on the paddy seed-bed area. Rabbing is a sort of
partial sterilization of the soil. It improves the physical structure of the soil and increases
availability of nutrients in the soil. The practice is, therefore beneficial in raising vigorous
seedlings but it involves wastage of valuable organic matter, which can preferably be used in
compost making. The system of rabbing is mostly confined to North Konkan and the Maval tract
of Maharashtra State. Attempts have been made since 1905 to substitute this wasteful method
by using manures, and chemical fertilizers. In the opinion of 97.40 per cent farmers, the Rab helps
control the weeds, while 74.61 and 73.10 per cent farmers opined that the Rab helps to better
germination of seed and is helpful in getting healthy seedlings, respectively. With regard to the
effect of Rab on the crop, majority (94.92 per cent) of the respondents expresses that the yield
per unit area increased due to the Rab preparation.
ii) Method of sowing/ Random transplanting :
Rice crop is traditionally grown as a transplanted crop. Farmers are transplanting rice at random
without following specific spacing. The opinion of farmers about line transplanting was not only
expensive but time consuming. Research was conducted in medium black soil to find out an
alternative to this method. The other methods used were drilling, dibbling and broadcasting of
sprouted seed. It was observed that rice crop raised by transplanting method produced
significantly higher grain yield over the remaining methods of cultivation. Now farmers are
convinced about higher yield performance by following line transplanting.
iii) Deep transplanting:
Generally farmers are transplanting rice very deep hence that affects the tillering ability and
ultimately total yield.
iv) Use of more number of seedlings per hills:
Farmers were using more than 5 seedlings/ hills, however 3-4 / hills are giving equal results
v) Ulkatni and Awatni :
Ulkatni and Awatni are two local practices followed in Khar lands of Thane and Raigad districts. In
Ulkatni the clods are turned upside down with the help of crobar in the months of April-May,
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RICE IN MAHARASHTRA
while Awatni is a practice of putting the rice seedlings in the field alongwith the mud ball from
the seedbed. It was observed that both the methods of preparatory tillage were effective.
Hence, instead of Ulkatni which was done manually, ploughing could be done after harvest of
Kharif rice in reclaimed Khar lands. Awatni was significantly superior to the regular practice of
transplanting provided the population is maintained in case of Awatni. Superficial planting in
Awatni avoids contact of tender seedlings with the salty portion of soil and thus avoids mortality
of seedlings.
Germplasm resources: The germplasm of local cultivars is maintained by the farmers and
Rice Research Stations of that region.
Medicinal value: Mhadi, Bela, Walai having the medicinal and rich nutritional value.
XII. BYPRODUCTS OF RICE SPECIFIC TO THE STATE
a. Usage:
Traditional byproducts of rice in the state are pej for children, Poha, Bhadang, Kurmura,
Papad, Mirgund, Laddu, Rice bran oil, Rice bran for poultry feed, Rice husk for brick kilns.
b. Market value:
The market value of rice is increasing day by day. The above traditional byproducts are
available at local as well as urban markets like malls. The value of product to product the poha is
ranging ranging from Rs. 30/- to 40/- per kg.
c. Milling industries:
The milling industries are located in Konkan, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra regions.
Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra having large number of milling industries with improved
machineries. In Konkan region Raigad and Thane districts having the good quality milling
industries also having parched rice, beaten rice industries and in Sindhudurg district for parboiled
rice milling they uses hullers.
XIII. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN RICE SECTOR OF THE STATE
1) Food Security Mission: For promotion area under rice cultivation, Food Security Mission
mandated six districts from Maharashtra state. It includes demonstrations, seed supply
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on subsidy, integrated pest management, integrated nutrient management, farmers

training and farm mechanization. The action plan of National Food Security Mission-Rice
is given below.
a. Demonstrations on System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
b. Demonstrations of Hybrid Rice Technology
c. Assistance for distribution of Hybrid Rice Seed
d. Assistance for distribution of HYVs Seed
e. Seed Minikits of HYVs of Rice
f. Incentives for Cono-weeders, Rotavators, Pump sets, Power weeders, Knapsack
sprayers and other implements
g. Assistance for Plant Protection chemicals and Bio-agents
h. Farmers training
i. Award for best performing districts.
2) Upland Paddy Research Scheme:

To increase the area under paddy cultivation in non-traditional region of Maharashtra
the “Upland Paddy Research Scheme” is implemented at Marathwada Agricultural
University, Parbhani. Under this scheme different breeding, agronomic and plant
protection experiments were carried out at Parbhani, Udgir, Tuljapur and Basmatnagar
locations of rainfed rice ecosystems.
XIV. STATUS OF RECENT METHODS/ TECHNOLOGIES
a. SRI
Need for SRI
i. Requires less seed rate (6 to 8 kg seed/ha)

ii. Nursery can be raised in small area 1.5 to 2 guntha for one hectare area, 12 to 15 days
old seedlings along with mud boll transplanted single seedling at 25 x 25 cm in kharif.
iii. Inter culture operation easily carried out with the help of cono weeder or rotary hoe.
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iv. Number of tillers increased/ plant.

v. Unavailable soil nutrients available due to good microbial activities.
vi. Each plant get sufficient light hence produced healthy crop.
vii. Low intensity of insect pest.
viii. Crop mature 8-10 days ahead.
Spread of SRI and date of Adoption
Major area is lowland and midland where rice is cultivated in the konkan region. Farmers are not
ready to adopt SRI due to heavy rainfall and use of 10-12 days old seedlings for transplanting. However,
from5-6 years SRI trials were conducted on university farm on upland & midland situation in kharif and
rabi season. However, on upland situation very few farmers egar to adopt SRI under guidance of NGO,
Agril. Deptt. & Agril. University extension workers (KVK).
Organizations (Public/Private/NGO’s/any other) working on SRI adoption and their approach and role
In Vidhrbh, Western maharashtra, Konkan region some of the organizations working for the
promotion of systems of Rice intensification (SRI) following organization starting to work on SRI i.e.
NABARD, Agril. Universities (KVK) NGO groups like.
i. Rural communes in Raigd, Ratnagiri, Thane districts.

ii. Sakav Gramin Vikas Sanstha, Raigad district.
iii. Jiwhala Gramin Vikas Sanstha, Raigad district.
iv. BAIF-MITRA Raigad, Thane, Ratnagiri districts.
v. Centre for Experimental learning (CEL) Ratnagiri district.
vi. Matrumandir- Ratnagiri district.
vii. Parivartan- Ratnagiri district.
viii. Syngenta Foundation- Thane district.
ix. Gomukh – Sindhudurg, Thane, Pune districts.
x. Chaitnya- Pune district.
xi. Gramin Yuva Pragatic Mandal- Bhandara district.
xii. Amhi Amachya Aarogyasathi - Gadchiroli, Chandrapur districts.
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xiii. Swayamsevi Janata Sahayak Mandal- Satara district.
Impact of SRI :
a. Increased yield over traditional farmer’s practice, i.e. random transplanting with 6-8
seedlings /hill.
b. More number of tillers (16-30 tillers/plant)
c. Matures 8-10 days ahead line transplanting (20 x 15cm)
d. Reduce the cost on purchase of seed.
e. Reduce the interculturing cost.
Modification of SRI (package of practices for SRI and its differences form standard transplanting) with
scientific data/ explanations
Nursery raising Community nursery advised
Age of seedlings Kharif 12-15 days old seedling
Rabi 15-20 old seedling
Spacing (Unit population) 25 x 25 cm (6 to 8 kg/ha)
Use of manures and fertilizers

• Only Organic
Organic + inorganic
• Organic + Inorganic only
• Inorganic only
Use of cono weeders (No. of times) 2 to 4 times as per weed intensity
Water management In high rainfall area good drainage facility on

upland
Cost of cultivation (Benefit Cast ratio)
Any other modifacation specially suited for the In addition to chemical fertilizer or Urea-DAP
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location briquette 50 % org. manure application suggested.
Any scientific information and pooled data (one or enclosed

two tables with reference)
b. Hybrid rice
Recommendations for cultivation of Sahyadri rice hybrid:

Particulars Package of practices
Seed rate 20 kg/ha
Age of seedling at transplanting 25 days old seedling with 5 to 6 leaf stage
Seedlings per hill 1 to 2 seedlings/hill
Organic manure (Basal) 10 t/ha FYM or Green manure
Fertilizer dose in three split 1. Basal 50+50+50 NPK in kg/ha
2. Tillering stage : 25 kg N/ha
3. Panicle immergence stage : 25 kg N/ha
Spacing 20 x 15 cm
Water requirement 90 to 130 cm
Harvesting 90 to 95 % maturity of grains and store at 12 to 14 %
moisture in grain.
Impact assessment of hybrid rice:

In Maharashtra, Konkan region cultivates the more hybrid rice than other regions about
45,000 ha area covered under hybrid rice in the state. The seed of hybrid rice mainly produced
and distributed by Mahabeej and other private companies in the state. Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi
Vidyapeeth, Dapoli having the Public-Private partnership Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) for seed production and distribution. The impact of hybrid rice technology was assessed
by Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad and The Society for management of Agriculture
Projects, Kanpur in the state of Maharashtra. The observations are as below.
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1. Net profit of Rs. 5000/- to 6000/- per hector by cultivation of hybrids in Maharashtra.
2. In hybrid rice seed production, net profit ranged from Rs.30,000/- to 40,000/- per hector
in the state.
3. Hybrid rice seed production generate additional employment of 65 person days per
hector and most of them are women.
4. There is no adverse impact of hybrid rice cultivation on environment.
5. In the process of development of hybrid rice more emphasis should be given for market
preference.
Thus hybrid rice technology is gaining popularity in the state of Maharashtra. The area
under hybrid rice is gradually increasing in the state. The hybrid rice technology is observed to
be an option for increase in rice productivity and economic upliftment of rice farmers. Some of
the bottle necks in wide spread of hybrid rice technology are small and fragmented land
holdings less barrowing capacity of farmers, varied agro ecological conditions and varied
preferences for grain qualities in the region, state and the country. In traditional rice growing
areas, the rice is the only crop of lively hood to the farmers. Some financial support is needed in
the form of inputs or supportive prices to the produce for wide spread of hybrid rice technology
and upliftment of poor rice farmers in the state and country.
c. Aerobic rice
Marathawada region having scanty ranfall distribution hence there is scope for cultivation of aerobic rice.
The research strategies for region needs to be straingthened.
d. Any other
Four Point Agro Technique in Rice Crop:
This technology is very useful to the farmers having marginal land holding and high rainfall area,
having heavy leaching losses of fertilizers. The most of the farmers are using this technology because of
its fertilizer use efficiency (70 %) and increasing in yield (20%).
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XV. INSTITUTES INVOLVED IN RICE DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION
Organisational set-up for research in Maharashtra

Rice breeding work was started in the former Bombay state at Karjat (now in Raigad district) in
1919. Soon afterwards, the Agricultural Research Station at Ratnagiri started to serve the south Konkan
region. The Igatpuri station was started in 1940 for work on fine grained scented rice varieties. The work
at Radhanagari started in 1941. The stations at Igatpuiri, Radhanagari and Vadagaon serve the Maval
tract where fine-grained scented varieties are commonly grown. The Station at Panvel was started in
1949 for improving salt resistant rice varieties of north Konkan coastal areas.
At present rice research is being carried out at 14 rice research stations under the four
agricultural universities of the state. The lead center for rice research in Maharashtra is Regional
Agricultural Research Station, Karjat, Dist. Raigad. It co-ordinates the research work carried out at
fourteen research stations under the control of four Agricultural Universities of the state.
Research centres working on rice in Maharashtra.
Name of the University Region Research centres working for rice

research
Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Konkan Karjat (Lead centre),Palghar, Panvel
Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri (saline soils), Ratnagiri, Phondaghat
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Western Radhanagari, Kolhapur, Karad, Vadgaon,

Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar Maharashtra Igatpuri
Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Marathwada Parbhani, Tuljapur (for rainfed &

Parbhani irrigated black soil)
Dr. Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Vidharbha Sindewahi, Sakoli

Akola
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List of varieties / hybrids recommended for Maharashtra State.
Name of Yield
Sr. Year of Days to
Research Variety Grain Type Recommended area
No. release (t/ha) maturity
station
Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
Medium Rice growing areas of

1 Karjat Karjat-184 1971 3.0 to 3.5 100-105
Slender Maharashtra State
Long Assured rainfall regions

2 Karjat 14-7 1975 4.0 to 4.5 140-145
Slender of Maharashtra
Bacterial blight
3 Karjat- 1 1987 Short bold 3.0 to 3.5 105 -110 endemic pockets of the
Konkan region
Long Assured rainfall regions

4 Karjat –2 1994 4.0 to 4.5 135-140
Slender of Maharashtra
Rice growing areas of

5 Karjat 3 1994 Short Bold 4.5 to 5.0 110-115
Maharashtra State
Short Konkan region

6 Karjat 4 1994 3.0 to 3.5 110-115
Slender

7 Karjat-5 2005 Long bold 4.5 to 5.5 125-130
Maharashtra State
Short Rice growing areas of

8 Karjat-6 2005 3.5 to 4.0 130-135
Slender Maharashtra State
Long 115 to Rice growing areas of

9 Karjat 7 2007 4.0 to 4.5
Slender 120 Maharashtra State
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Sahyadri Long
10 1998 6.0 to 6.5 125-130 Maharashtra State
(Hybrid) Slender
including Kharland
Name of Yield
Sr. Year of Days to
No release (t/ha) maturity
station
Sahyadri-2 Long Rice growing areas of

11 2004 5.5 to 6.5 115-120
(Hybrid) Slender Maharashtra State
Sahyadri-3 Long Rice growing areas of

12 2005 6.5 to 7.5 125-130
(Hybrid) Slender Maharashtra State

Maharashtra State.
Irrigated plains of
Sahyadri-4 Long Hariyana and Punjab
13 2006 6.0 to 6.5 115-120
(Hybrid) Slender West Bengal and Uttar
Pradesh in
transplanted
conditions
Medium Rice growing areas of

14 Palghar Palghar 1 1988 4.0 to 4.5 120-125
slender Maharashtra State
Short Konkan Region

15 Palghar 2 2002 3.0 to 3.5 125-130
slender
Coastal saline soils of

16 Panvel Panvel 1 1984 Short bold 3.5 to 4.00 125-130
Konkan region
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Long Coastal saline soils of

17 Panvel 2 1987 3.3 to 4.1 110-115
Slender Konkan region
Coastal saline soils of

18 Panvel 3 2000 Short bold 4.5 to 5.0 125-130
Konkan region
Short Rice growing areas of

19 Ratnagiri Ratnagiri 24 1971 3.5 to 4.0 105
slender Maharashtra State
Ratnagiri Long Rice growing areas of

20 1978 4.0 to 4.5 115
711 slender Maharashtra State
Name of Yield
Sr. Year of Days to
No release (t/ha) maturity
station
Ratnagiri 4.5 to Rice growing areas of

21 1975 Long bold 140-145
68-1 5.0 Maharashtra State
Ratnagiri
22 1979 Short bold 3.5 -4.0 98
73-1
4.5 to
23 Ratnagiri 1 1986 Long Bold 115
5.0
4.5 to Assured rainfall

24 Ratnagiri 2 1986 Short bold 150
5.0 region of M.S. on
lowland of rice
4.5 to
25 Ratnagiri 3 1994 Long Bold 140-145 growing areas
5.0
26 Ratnagiri 4 2009 Long 4.9 125-130 Konkan and W.
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slender Maharshtra region.
Phondaghat Long Rice growing areas of

27 Phondaghat 2000 4.5 to 5 115-120
1 slender Maharashtra State
Long
28 Vadgaon Indrayani 1987 4 to 4.5 130-135
slender
Long
29 Pawana 1988 3.5 to 115-120
slender
4.0 Rice growing areas of
western Maharashtra
Short 3.5 to State
Kundalika 1988 125-130
30 slender 4.0
Phule 4.0 to
31 1998 Long bold 125-130
Maval 4.5
Phule Long 4.0 to

32 2007 125-130
Samruddhi slender 4.5
Name of Yield
Sr. Year of Grain Days to Recommended
Research Variety
No. release Type (t/ha) maturity area
station
RDN-185- Short 3.0 to Western

33 Radhanagari 1971 120-125
2 slender 3.5 Maharashtra
Phule Short 3.5 to Rice growing

34 2004 110-115
Radha slender 4.0 areas of M.S.
35 Bhogawati 2004 Long 3.5 to 130-138 Rice growing
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slender 4.0 areas of M.S.
Long 3.5 to Upland

36 Igatpuri Darana 1980 130-135
bold 4.0
College of Suitable for rice

Short
37 Agriculture ACK 5 1982 4 to 6 110-115 growing areas of
bold
Kolhapur state
Bhandara &
Long
38 Sakoli SKL 6 1985 4 to 4.5 115-120 Chandrapur
slender
districts
Long Eastern part of

39 SKL 7 1988 3.0 130
slender Vidarbha
Long 4.0 to Eastern part of

40 SKL 8 2000 140 - 145
slender 4.5 Vidarbha
PKV Medium Eastern part of

41 2003 4.5-5.0 126-128
Ganesh slender Vidarbha
Short 4.0 to Paddy growing

42 Sindewahi SYE 1 1987 115-120
bold 4.5 areas of Vidarbha

43 SYE 4 1996 135-140
slender 5.5 areas of Vidarbha
Paddy growing
Short tract of
44 SYE 5 1996 4.5to5.5 142-154
bold Maharashtra
State
Medium Paddy growing

45 SYE 75 1985 4 to 4.5 136-140
slender areas of Vidarbha
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Name of Yield
Sr. Year of Grain Days to Recommended
Research Variety
No. release Type (t/ha) maturity area
Center

46 SYE 2001 2002 135 –137
bold 5.0 areas of Vidarbha
PKV Medium 3.5 to East Vidarbha

47 2003 135-140
Makrand slender 4.0
Short 4.0 to East Vidarbha

48 PKV HMT 1998 135-140
Slender 4.5
PKV Short 3.5 to East Vidarbha

49 2007 130
Khamang Slender 4.0
Medium Marathwada
50 Parbhani Prabhavati 1984 3.0-3.5 115
slender region
Long Upland areas

51 Parag 1994 3.9 to 4 108-112
slender
Long Marathwada
52 Tuljapur Ambika 1984 3.0 115
slender region
Drilled rice area

Long
53 Terana 1989 3.5 80-90 of Marathwada
slender
region
Drilled rice area

Long
54 Avishkar 3.5 82 of Marathwada
slender
region
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XVI. CONSTRAINTS IN RICE PRODUCTION
a. Biotic stress.
Major Diseases and Insect pests occurred in M.S. :
Major Diseases:
Diseases Causing organism
Rice blast Pyricularia orizae
Bacterial Leaf Blight Helminthosporium oryzae
Sheath blight Rizocionia solani
False smut Ustilaginoides virens
Major Pest/Insects:
Pest/Insects Economic threshold level (ETL)
Yellow stem borer 5 % dead hearts during vegetative, 2 % white ears
Brown plant hopper (BPH) 5 - 10 hoppers / hill
Leaf folder 4 % folded leaves
Army worm 4 - 5 larvae m-1 crop row
Gall midge 5 % silver shoots
b. Abiotic stress
Agro climatic constraints:
Agro climatic envisages both soil and atmosphere condition of region.
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The soil of rice growing area in the state shows a lot of variation in respect of their physio-chemical
properties & hence in nutrient availability.
The 65,000 ha area is under saline soils in coastal Konkan region and about 1 lakh ha in Marathwada
region is affected due to iron chlorosis.
Agriculture in Konkan is characterized by the preponderance of extremely small sized holdings. The
average size of the holding is 2.30 hectares.
Inadequate coverage under high yielding varieties, Poor soil fertility, Inadequate and poor water
management, Low fertilizer use and poor fertilizer use efficiency, Incidence of pests and diseases, Dry
spells at critical stages, Poor resource base of farmers.
The eastern part of Vidarbha, suffers heavily due to nature and erratic rains during Kharif season.
This is the major rice growing area under state having low productivity.
Insufficient sunlight about 2-3 hr/day due to cloudy weather during crop growth period adversely
affects the productivity.
Four districts of the Konkan region comprises 35% area of the state receives very heavy rainfall 250-
500 cm in short period, results in erosion of soil along with added nutrients as well as added
fertilizers.
Heavy rains in Konkan region deplete plant nutrients.

Scanty and erratic rains affect rice crop growth in Vidarbha region.
Increase in salinity at critical crop growth period due to dry spells in coastal saline soils of Konkan
region
c. Institutional constraints
Lack of well equipped rubber sheller mills and pearler rice mills.
XVII. STRATEGIES AND MODERN TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE RICE PRODUCTION
Research:
Collection and maintenance of rice Germplasm.

Evolution of high yielding, semi dwarf, fertilizer responsive rice varieties with different duration
and grain types suitable for different ecosystem.
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Evolution of photo insensitive rice varieties of different duration with good milling and cooking
qualities and resistant to different biotic and abiotic stresses.
Development of New Ideotypes with higher harvest Index to enhance the yield levels of rice. New
plant type will be designed to have fewer tillers, none of which will be unproductive, long panicle,
each with 300-350 grains and more than 95% spikelet fertility, thicker, sturdier stems, thicker
dark green and errect leaves and a vigorous root system.
Development of Basmati type, aromatic rice varieties preferably with short and long slender grain
type with good milling and cooking qualities.
To develop nutrition rich rice varieties by using biotechnological approaches.
Development of high yielding rice varieties with fine and coarse grain type and early duration for
Rabi / summer season.
Development of rice varieties resistant to brown plant hopper, gall midge, stem borer, blast and
bacterial leaf blight through marker assisted selection.
Evolution and evaluation of high yielding rice hybrids through Indica x Japonica crosses with good
milling and cooking qualities and resistant to different biotic and abiotic stresses
Improvement in parental lines for developing new heterotic combinations
Evolution and evaluation of new cytoplasmic genetic male sterile (CMS) lines with good milling
and cooking quality and desirable floral traits of different cytosterility sources. This will extend
broad genetic base of the cytoplasmic male sterile lines, so as to prevent any possible
catastrophe due to outbreak of biotic stresses like insect pests or diseases.
Evolution of genotypes tolerant for submergence during early growth phase.
Seed production:
Production of nucleus, breeder and foundation seed of released rice varieties.
Identification of suitable areas for hybrid rice seed production in the state
Production of nucleus, breeder and foundation seed of parental lines of released rice hybrids.
The MOU with private seed business companies for large-scale seed production of high yielding
varieties and newly released rice hybrids.
Promotion:
Transfer of rice technology from the research farm to farmers’ field is as important as developing
the varieties and hybrid. Hence demonstration and training programme will be arranged on farm
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RICE IN MAHARASHTRA
and farmers field for creation of awareness among farmers about the advantages of cultivation of
hybrid rice and hybrid seed production.
XVIII. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
Rice is not only a major staple food item but also a way of life for millions of the people. Over the
years study to increase rice production transformed the state from food deficit to net surplus. The rice
crop is overwhelmingly important for the food nutritional and livelihood security for half of the human
race. The total area under rice in the state is 14.99 lakh ha with an annual rice production of 22.34 (32.38
rough rice ) lakh tones and the average productivity is 1.39 (2.01 rough rice ) t/ha. The Agricultural
Universities in the state has released total 50 high yielding varieties, 4 rice hybrids and developed
improved package of practices for cultivation of rice crop since 1971. In order to break the present yield
ceiling new approach like heterotic breeding is adopted in breeding programmes. The hybrid rice
varieties could increase the yield by 20 to 25 % more over conventional best check varieties.
The varietal testing programme is the key component for many research and developmental
activities initiated to find viable solution to the region specific problems in rice cultivation. This
multidisciplinary, multilocation testing which also facilited to accomplished the principle objective of
identifying suitable breeding cultures for all rice growing regions of the state. The semi dwarf and high
yielding varieties was instrumental in phenomenally increasing the rice production in the state. These
varieties have greatly enhanced the production and productivity of the rice in the state.
Hence, breeding program of the state is based on following objectives.
1. To develop non-lodging, non-shattering, dwarf varieties responsive to nitrogen fertilizer. The Rice
varieties matures in 80 to 200 days;
2. To develop aromatic and non-aromatic long slender to medium slender fine grain varieties;
3. To develop varieties with broad-spectrum resistance to diseases and insect pests prevalent in
Maharashtra;
4. To develop salt tolerant varieties for 65,000 ha area for coastal saline soils;
5. To develop varieties resistant to iron chlorosis for rainfed and irrigated areas having black soils in
Marathwada region.
Table 1. Area of production and productivity of rice during a period of time. (Last 10 years)
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Area Production Productivity

Year
(lakh ha) (lakh tones) (t/ha)
1999-2000 14.9 24.7 1.66
2000-01 15.34 24.24 1.58
2001-02 15.10 25.20 1.67
2002-03 14.8 24.81 1.68
2003-04 15.01 27.70 1.85
2004-05 14.90 26.80 1.74
2005-06 14.74 25.97 1.76
2006-07 15.35 29.13 1.90
2007-08 15.24 29.06 1.90
2008-09 14.99 22.34 1.39
Table 2. District-wise Area of production and productivity of rice during the current year.
Area in ‘00’ ha, production in ‘00’ tonnes and productivity in kg/

ha
Kharif Rice Summer Rice

Sr. No. District
Area Prodn Prodty Area Prodn Prodty
1 Thane 1385 3916 2827 24 66 2730
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2 Raigad 1246 3536 2834 85 213 2605
3 Ratnagiri 792 2385 3011 2 7 3728
4 Sindhudurga 747 2369 3171 43 85 1976
Konkan Div. 4170 12206 2927 154 371 2409
5 Nasik 506 663 1310 0 0 0
6 Dhule 50 69 1380 0 0 0
7 Nandurbar 224 177 790 0 0 0
8 Jalgaon 9 11 1222 0 0 0
Nasik Div. 789 920 1166 0 0 0
9 Ahemadnagar 76 59 776 0 0 0
10 Pune 604 847 1402 0 0 0
11 Solapur 2 1 500 0 0 0
Pune Div 682 907 1330 0 0 0
12 Satara 442 734 1661 0 0 0
13 Sangali 156 395 2532 0 0 0
14 Kolhapur 1062 2461 2317 6 22 3654
Kolhapur Div. 1660 3590 2163 6 22 3654
15 Aurangabad 6 2 333 0 0 0
16 Jalana 7 3 429 0 0 0
17 Beed 25 10 400 0 0 0
Aurangabad Div 38 15 395 0 0 0
18 Latur 205 67 327 0 0 0
19 Usmansbad 180 26 144 0 0 0
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20 Nanded 233 134 575 0 0 0
21 Parbhani 96 36 375 0 0 0
22 Hingoli 95 48 505 0 0 0
Latur Div 809 311 384 0 0 0
23 Buldhana 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 Akola 0 0 0 0 0 0
25 Washim 9 3 333 0 0 0
26 Amaravati 102 60 588 0 0 0
27 Yavatmal 33 20 606 0 0 0
Amaravati Div 144 83 576 0 0 0
28 Wardha 3 2 667 0 0 0
29 Nagpur 439 634 1444 2 4 2147
30 Bhandara 1700 2642 154 18 44 2426
31 Gondia 1700 2550 1500 13 28 2147
32 Chandrapur 1427 2069 1450 5 11 2193
33 Gadchirali 1443 1757 1218 7 10 1398
Nagpur Div 6712 9654 1438 45 97 2156
State Total 15004 27686 1845 205 490 2390
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Table 3. Ecosystem-wise rice cultivation.
Area Production Productivity

Ecosystem
(lakh ha) (lakh tones) (Kg/ha)
Rainfed Lowland 4.17 12.20 2.9
Rainfed Upland 10.83 15.48 1.42
Irrigated 0.20 0.49 2.3
Table 4. Popular and high yielding varieties grown
Zone Popular varieties/ Hybrids
Konkan region Karjat-184, Karjat –3, Karjat-5, Karjat-7, Palghar 1, Panvel 1, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri 1,
Ratna , Jaya, Mahsuri, Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Suruchi,
Swarna, Gujrat-11, Rupali
Vidharbha SKL 6, PKV Ganesh, SYE 1, HMT Sona, Rupali
Western Amb-157, Indrayani, Pawana, Bhogawati, Sahyadri, Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3,

Maharashtra Sahyadri-4, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri -73, Ratnagiri-1.
Marathwada Terana , Parag
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Table5. List of local germplasm having special features (nutritional, medicinal, pest,
diseases, etc)
Traditional cultivars:
Botwel, Mhadi, Walai, Bela, Patni, Bhadas, Kalarata, Bhurarata, Kolamb, Kolpi, Jiresal,
Kala girga, Ghansal, Kothimbari Sal (Bodga), Champakali, Krishna Sal, Tambada jog,
Ambemohar, Kasbai, Thilsa, White Luchai, Chinoor, Halga, Zinia.
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RICE IN MAHARASHTRA

Status Paper on Rice in Maharashtra

B. L. Thaware*, R. L. Kunkerkar and H. A. Shivade.

I. NAME OF THE STATE: MAHARASHTRA

Rice / Rough rice Rice /Rough rice

1. Konkan 4.136 10.42/15.10 2.56/3.65

2. Western Maharashtra (Rice

3. Marathwada (Non traditional

4. Vidarbha 7.319 5.73/8.31 0.78/1.14

Total 14.995 22.34/32.37 1.39/2.01

Ref : Maharashtra State Statistics Dept. Pune (2008-09).

III. RICE PRODUCTION SCENARIO IN THE STATE:

Particulars 1960-61 to 1970-71 to 1980-81 to 1990-91 to

Area (‘000’ ha) 1334.70 1358.0 1490.50 1534.33

IV. GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATOR:

from 22.7 to 31.2 oC in district Sindhudurg.

Zone-1 : Very high rainfall zone with lateritic soils (VRL)

Zone-2 : Very high rainfall zone with, non-lateritic soils (VRN)

Zone -3 : Ghat zone (Gh)

Zone 4: Transition -1 with red to reddish brown soils (TR1)

V. RICE PRODUCTION SCENARIO

Maximum productivity is observed in Konkan region and it contributes 42.91 % of total

Rice / Rough rice Rice /Rough rice

1. Konkan 4.136 27.58 10.42/15.10 2.56/3.65

2. Western Maharashtra 3.298 21.99 6.08/8.82 1.85/2.67

3. Marathwada 0.242 1.61 0.10/0.14 0.42/0.59

4. Vidarbha 7.319 48.80 5.73/8.31 0.78/1.14

Total 14.995 -- 22.34/32.37 1.39/2.01

Ref : Maharashtra State Statistics Dept. Pune (2008-09).

VI. DISTRICT WISE RICE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE MAHARASHTRA

1. Rainfed lowland Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, Kolhapur

Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia and some

3. Irrigated Nasik, Nagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur,

VII. CROPPING SYSTEM – ZONE-WISE

Rice base Cropping Systems followed in Maharashtra State:

Zones Following are the rice base Cropping Systems followed in

Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Dolichusbean, Horsegram,

Redgram, Greengram, Bengalgram,

Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Pulses

Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Pulses

Sub Mountain Zone Irrigated : Rice – Gram, Pulses, peas, wheat

Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Pulses

Eastern Vidarbha Zone Irrigated : Rice – Rice, Pulses

Rainfed : Rice – Fallow, Pulses

VIII. RICE GROWING SEASONS AND REGIONS

1) Konkan : Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg

Zone Districts Rice Varieties

Konkan Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Karjat-184, Karjat 2, Karjat –3

Palghar 1, Palghar 2, Panvel 1, Panvel 2

Panvel 3, Phondaghat 1, Ratnagiri 24, Ratnagiri 711,

Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Proagro,

Vidharbha Bhandara, Chandrapur, SKL 6, SKL 7, PKV Ganesh,

Kundalika, VDN 12327, RDN-185-2

Phule Radha, Bhogawati, Jalgaon 5 , Sahyadri,

Sahyadri – 2, Sahyadri – 3, Sahyadri-4, Ratnagiri 24,

Marathwada Parbhani, Osmanabad, Nanded Darana, Tulajapur-1, Prabhawati, Ambika

Sugandha, Terana , Parag,