For the first time, the department of agriculture released locally produced hybrid maize called Wengkhar HM-1 to overcome the impacts of climate change, in the country. The new hybrid seed will be resistant to heat and drought and it will also have a higher yield.
The hybrid maize is grown in over 60 decimal of land at the Agriculture Research and Development Sub-Center at Lingmethang. The research has been going on since 2015.
And today, the seed has passed the tests. The national maize program harvested two batches of Wengkhar HM-1. The third batch is being cultivated. The seeds will be supplied to seed centre in Trashi Yangtse for production and distribution.
“As of now, the national maize program has released six improved varieties since 1992 and the last one in 2015. And all these varieties are open-pollinated. This Wengkhar HM-1 is the first-ever hybrid to be released in the country. And it has good resistant to both heat and drought. Moreover, it has a good yield potential of 1.9 metric tonnes per acre, which is way higher than the national average yield,” said Passang Wangmo, an Agriculture Officer with the ARDC in Monggar.
The Wengkhar HM-1 was identified in 2018 through evaluations carried out across the maize growing areas in the country.
“Very soon we will be linking this seed production program with national seed centre through the formation of the community-based seed production. And ARDC will be responsible for carrying out capacity development of all the hybrid maize seed growers,” she added.
Till date, the maize seeds are being imported from India at a relatively higher cost. But soon farmers will try the local hybrid seeds for increased productivity and food self-sufficiency.
Sonam Tshering
