Overview
M S Swaminathan Rice Research Station, Moncompu is the lead centre for rice research in Kuttanad. Kuttanad is a unique system spread across the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta where rice is grown up to 3 m below sea level. The main crop season is Puncha sown in October- November and harvested in February-March. An additional crop is taken during Kharif in around 1/3rd of the area which is sown as dry broadcast or wet sown just prior to the onset of monsoon. Kuttanad agro-ecosystem comprising of low-lying estuarine lands, are subjected to flash floods during the monsoons and salinity intrusion during post monsoon periods. Soil problems like acidity, iron toxicity, hydrogen sulphide injury are the other major abiotic stresses limiting rice production in the region. Due to the hot and humid climate, it is a hot spot of weeds, insect and diseases. Many insects, diseases and weeds which were earlier considered as minor are emerging as major threat to crop production in recent years. The Research Station is constantly reviewing and addressing these issues apart from developing new rice varieties suitable for Kuttanad.