November 2: Farmers in Drakteng gewog in Trongsa can soon grow a new better yielding paddy. With the new variety, farmers can get about 200 kilograms more than other varieties of paddy from an acre of land.

The Dzongkhag agriculture sector and local farmers have been conducting trail cultivation of six different varieties of paddy at Samchoeling village in Drakteng gewog.

The Dzongkhag agriculture sector and the RNR research centre are providing the technical support including seedlings and fertilizers.

Local farmers are doing the manual work. The district agriculture officer said they are conducting the trail to boost production.

Cultivable land is limited, he said, and the only way of enhancing production is by introducing better yielding varieties.

Of the six varieties, they have found that Khangma Marp gives better yield. Khangma Marp gives two tons of rice from an acre of land.

From the local variety which is currently grown, farmers can get only about 1800 kilograms of rice.

Apart from enhancing paddy production, they are also looking at vegetable and fruit production. Local farmers said they are also happy with the trial production.

Many said they want to try and cultivate the new variety from next season.