Bhagalpur: June 28: Scientists at Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, have produced two-and-a-half quintal purified seeds of the Katarni rice variety and distributed it among farmers on an experimental basis.

"Bhagalpur is considered the rice bowl where the variety is produced in abundance. We decided to refine the variety without adding anything new after some farmers said their products had lost its original essence," said BAU extension education director R.K. Sohane. He said the samples were collected from Katarni growers in different parts of Bhagalpur.

Mankesh Kumar, an assistant professor-cum-scientist at the university, said: "We have managed to restore the seed's quality and are now researching to improve the variety's other features such as increasing its sustainability, making it suitable for all conditions, etc," he said. "We have already applied for a geographical indication registration and asked the state government to launch the new variety. It will take around two years to complete the entire process."

The head of the plant reproduction department, P.K. Singh, said around 160kg seeds have been distributed among the district agriculture officers of Bhagalpur, Banka and Munger and a few farmers. "Our main intention is to check the productivity of the upgraded seeds," Singh said.

Mohammad Nizam, a Katarni farmer at Jagdishpur, recalled how the quality had started deteriorating around 50-60 years back. "We are hopeful that the refined seeds will bring back the variety's original essence. However, we can be sure about the seed's quality of only after the first harvest," said Nizam.

The demand for Katarni chura (flattened rice) and curd goes up every year during Makar Sankranti.