Bhagalpur: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) has developed a unique ‘paddy cafeteria’ in which a variety of paddies have been developed to showcase them to the farmers. Officials said the cafeteria aims to promote different varieties of climate friendly and geographically suitable paddy crops among the farmers.
BAU vice chancellor D R Singh, who is the brain behind the ‘paddy cafeteria’, said it has been developed by the BAU’s Kishan Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at the Sabour-based farmland in Bhagalpur.“We have developed 23 varieties of the crop at the ‘paddy cafeteria’, and they are being showcased to the local farmers from Tuesday,” the VC said, adding farmers from other districts and across the country have evinced keen interest in the paddy varieties being developed and showcased here. He said the cafeteria would help farmers choose the best crop to suit their needs.

He said at least 13 varieties have already been approved while 10 are being experimented at research labs, adding, the idea behind development of the cafeteria is to develop climate friendly varieties of paddy that are suitable for different types of soils across the country.
Interactive sessions between BAU researchers and experts and farmers at the paddy cafeteria are also being held on ways of growing suitable paddy varieties supported by modern farming, he said, adding this would enhance income of the farmers as well as promote sustainable farming. The VC said the scientists and experts at the KVKs across the state, under the BAU, have been directed to promote different varieties of paddy, which are being showcased at the ‘paddy cafeteria’, among the farmers in their respective regions. “If needed, the farmers should be encouraged to visit the cafeteria,” he said.