Rice Farming in sindh, Pakistan

 

Rice farming in Sindh, Pakistan

Rice is a popular staple food that is grown in many parts of the world. Pakistan is a major producer of rice, with the crop being an important part of the country's agriculture and economy. Rice is grown in various regions of Pakistan, including the Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The rice industry is supported by a number of government initiatives, including research and development programs, extension services, and support for farmers. The government also provides subsidies and other forms of support to help farmers improve their yields and increase the competitiveness of their crops.

Rice is an important crop in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The province has a diverse range of soils and climatic conditions that are suitable for growing a variety of rice varieties. Rice is grown on a wide range of soils in Sindh, including clay, loam, and sandy loam. Rice grows best in well-drained, loose soil with a pH between 6 and 7.

In Sindh, rice is typically grown in the floodplains of the Indus River and its tributaries. The province has an irrigation system that provides water to the rice fields. Rice is also grown in the upland areas of the province, where it is irrigated by tube wells. Rice is an important source of food and income for many people in Sindh. It is also an important export crop for the province. The rice industry in Sindh plays a significant role in the economy of the province and the country. In recent years, Pakistan has been one of the top rice-producing countries in the world, with an average annual production of around 7 million metric tons. Sindh is one of the major rice-producing provinces in Pakistan. In 2018, the total area under rice cultivation in Sindh was around 1.9 million hectares, with a total production of around 3.3 million metric tons.Top of Form

Land Preparation

Clearing the land: The first step in preparing the land for a rice crop is to clear it of any weeds, debris, or other obstacles. This may involve manual labour, such as hoeing or hand-weeding, or the use of herbicides.

Ploughing: Once the land is cleared, it is usually plowed to loosen and turn over the soil. This helps to improve the soil structure and prepare it for planting.

Leveling: After plowing, the land is typically leveled to create a smooth, even surface. This helps to ensure that the rice plants receive an even distribution of water and nutrients.

Puddling: In some cases, the soil may be puddled, or mixed with water, to create a soft, spongy surface. This helps to prevent the rice plants from being damaged by wind or rain.

Diking: In some areas, dikes or embankments may be built around the fields to help control the flow of water and prevent flooding.

Varieties of Form

There are several varieties of rice that are grown in Sindh, Pakistan. Some of the most common varieties include:

Basmati rice: This is a long-grain, aromatic rice that is grown in the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. It is known for its delicate, floral aroma and its light, fluffy texture when cooked.

Super Basmati rice: This is a hybrid variety of basmati rice that is known for its extra-long grain and its high yield.

IRRI-6 rice: This is a medium grain, semi-dwarf variety of rice that is widely grown in Pakistan. It is known for its high yield and its resistance to pests and diseases.

Sindhri rice: This is a long-grain, aromatic rice that is grown in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is known for its delicate aroma and its light, fluffy texture when cooked.

KSK-133 rice: This is a hybrid variety of rice that is known for its high yield and its resistance to pests and diseases. It is widely grown in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

The varieties introduced by NIA Tandojam are :- Shua-92, Sarshar, Shadab, Khushboo-95, Mehak and Shandar.

Planting

For Basmati varieties paddy seed rate is 4-5 Kg/acre while for Medium or Coarse varieties the recommended seed rate is 6-7 kg/acre. For hybrid rice, the seed rate is also 5-7 kg/acre. In direct seeding 20-30 kg/acre seed is used.

Once the land has been prepared, the rice seeds can be planted using a variety of methods, including direct seeding or transplanting. Rice is typically planted using seedlings, rather than seeds. The seedlings should be placed about 12-15 inches apart, and the soil should be kept moist until the plants are established.

Fertilization:

Before planting, the soil may also be fertilized to ensure that it has sufficient nutrients to support the rice crop. This may involve the application of organic or chemical fertilizers.

For Basmati DAP = 1.5 bag, Urea 1.75 bags and 1 bag of Potash is recommended (All DAP and Potash + 1/3 Urea as basal dose + 1/3 Urea at 25-30 DAT + 1/3 Urea at 45-50 days after transplanting). For medium / coarse grain varieties DAP = 1.75 bags, Urea 2.25 bags and 1 bag of Potash is recommended (All DAP and Potash + half Urea as basal dose and half Urea after 30 days of transplanting). Use of Potash is recommended where tube well irrigation is the only source. In saline soils, DAP and Urea should be replaced by SSP Ammonium sulphate for good yield. Zinc application is also recommended @ 5-10 kg/acre for zinc-deficient soils.

Water

Rice plants need a lot of water, so it's important to keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged). The water level at transplanting should be kept 1-1.5 inches and gradually increase up to 3 inches. Water should be standing up to 25-30 days after transplanting. After that, irrigation should be stopped for few days. Then apply 2nd dose of Urea fertilizer and irrigate the field. Keep the field in saturated condition. Irrigate the field after 3rd application of nitrogen. Irrigation should be stopped 15 days prior to harvesting.

Diseases

There are several diseases that can affect rice crops in Sindh, Pakistan. Some common diseases include:

Bacterial leaf blight: This disease is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae and is characterized by water-soaked lesions on the leaves and stems of the rice plant. The disease can lead to reduced yields and crop failure if left untreated. Treatment involves the use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and the application of antibiotics.

Blast: Blast is a fungal disease that causes circular, yellowish lesions on the leaves and stems of the rice plant. The disease can be severe and may lead to reduced yields if not controlled. Treatment involves the use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and the application of fungicides.

Rice tungro virus: This viral disease is transmitted by insect vectors and causes stunting, yellowing, and reduced yields in rice crops. Treatment involves the use of resistant varieties and the control of insect vectors.

Sheath blight: This fungal disease affects the lower part of the rice plant, causing lesions on the sheath and stems. It can lead to reduced yields if not controlled. Treatment involves the use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and the application of fungicides.

False smut: This fungal disease causes the formation of black, sooty masses on the grains of the rice plant. It can lead to reduced yields if not controlled. Treatment involves the use of resistant varieties and the application of fungicides.

Protect against pests and diseases: Rice is prone to attack by pests such as rats, birds, and insects, as well as diseases such as blast and sheath blight. To protect against these problems, it's important to keep the field clean and to use pesticides or other control measures as needed.

Control weeds:

Weeds can compete with rice plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, so it's important to keep them under control. This can be done through manual weeding or by using herbicides.

 

Yield

It is difficult for me to provide a specific figure for the total yield of the rice crop in Sindh, Pakistan, as this can vary significantly from year to year depending on a variety of factors, including weather conditions, soil quality, pest and disease pressure, and farming practices. In general, the yield of the rice crop in Sindh is influenced by the same factors that affect rice production in other regions of the world. Local varieties yield 1200 to 2400 kg per acre, however, Hybrid varieties yield from 3600 to 5200 kg per acre. 

Harvesting

When the rice is ready to be harvested, the grains will be fully mature and the straw will turn yellow. The rice can be harvested by hand or with a machine, and then dried and threshed to remove the grains from the husks.

 

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