Five Multiple Disease Resistant, High Yielding Rice Varieties Unveils

Last Updated on May 31, 2025 by SPN Editor

In a significant step toward sustainable agriculture, the Green Foundation, based in  Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai, Imphal, launched five high-yielding, multiple disease and insect pest-resistant rice varieties during the “Rice Kharif Workshop” on May 29, 2025. Developed through eight years of meticulous field trials by Prof. Naorem Iboton Singh, Former Dean (Agriculture) and Head of Plant Pathology at Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal, these climate-resilient and multiple disease resistants rice varieties promise to revolutionize rice farming in Manipur by boosting yields, slashing input costs, and thriving in the face of global warming.

Rice cultivation in Manipur has long been a costly and low-reward endeavor. Traditional varieties are highly vulnerable to diseases such as neck blast, bacterial leaf blight, sheath blight, stem rot, sheath rot, false smut, and grain discoloration, as well as insect pests like stem borers, gall midges, and brown plant hoppers. Farmers typically spend Rs 20,000–22,000 per sangam (excluding labor costs) on pesticides, nitrogenous fertilizers like urea, and other inputs, only to harvest a modest 25–26 bags. With negligible profit margins, many farmers have abandoned rice farming, leading to a steady decline in cultivation.

However, varieties like CAU-Selection 1 and Lamyanba Irabot Phou, released in 2006 by the Irabot Foundation, have shown the potential of multiple disease resistants, low-maintenance rice to increase profits by reducing pesticide and urea use. Building on this success, the new rice varieties—Numit Phou, Ningthou Phou, Imoinu Phou, Panthoibi Phou, and Laisana Phou—are set to transform Manipur’s agricultural scenario.

These five new rice varieties are low-maintenance, early-maturing (115–120 days), and highly adaptable to current climatic conditions. Standing approximately 4 feet tall, they require minimal nitrogenous fertilizers and water, relying instead on silicon-based biofertilizers to meet nutrient needs. Each variety is resistant to major rice diseases and insect pests, ensuring robust performance under global warming conditions.

Characteristics of Multiple Disease Resistants Rice Varieties

1. Numit Phou

It is a mutant of Lamyanba phou (a cross between Leima phou and IR-20). It is called Numit phou because ultra violet rays of the Sun mutate Lamyanba phou naturally.  It is approximately 4 feet tall with 15 effective tillers. It is resistant to major diseases (neck blast, bacterial leaf blight, sheath blight, stem rot, sheath rot, false smut, and grain discoloration) and insect pests (stem borer, gall midge, brown plant hoppers). It matures in 115-120 days and bears heavy panicles with golden colored grains. Purple colored tint at the end of each rice grain when young but the coloration is faded when the grain matures. It can produce more than 35 bags per sangam. Its nitrogen requirement can be provided easily by the application of silicon based bio fertilizers. This variety can luxuriantly grow at the prevailing climate conditions.

2. Ningthou Phou

It is a cross between Chakhao Amubi and Karnal Basmati.  The height of this rice variety is about 4 feet with more than 10 effective tillers, which mature in 115-120 days. Its nitrogen requirement is fully satisfied with silicon-based bio fertilizers application. It is resistant to important diseases and insect pests. Under the present global warming environment, it can express its major traits fully with the production of more than 33 bags per sangam easily. Ningthou phou is named after the Meetei God, Phou Ningthou, which is the God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains and wealth.

3. Imoinu Phou

It is a cross between Moirangphou khokngangbi and Shia-tia-tsao (s). The rice is approximately 4 feet tall, matures within 115-120 days, non lodging with more than 10 effective tillers. Its nitrogen requirement is fully supplied by silicon based bio fertilizer. It shows resistant to diseases and insect pests. Under the present climatic conditions, it expresses all traits fully with production of 33 bags per sangam. Named Imoinu phou after Meetei Goddess Imoinu, who bestowed with prosperity and abundance, the Imoinu phou rice is offered to the people of Manipur.

4. Panthoibi Phou

It is a cross between Moirang phou khokngangbi and Shia-tia-tsao (s). The height of the paddy is about 4 feet with 12-15 numbers of effective tillers which flower at the same time. The paddy bears long panicles of about 12 inches with long cylindrical grains. It is resistant to major diseases and insect pests. It needs less nitrogenous fertilizer and less water. It takes 120 days to mature, producing 30 bags per sangam. It can express these qualities under the present environment. Named after the Meetei Goddess, Panthoibi which is the Goddess of civilization, courage, fertility, victory, warfare and wisdom, Panthoibi phou is offered to the people of Manipur for the continuity of Meetei civilization.

5. Laisana Phou

This rice variety is a cross between Chakhao Amubi and Karnal Basmati. The rice plant is about 4 feet in height. It is resistant to lodging with more than 15 effective tillers. The panicles are long about 10 inches with golden color long grains. At the end of the panicles, some grains have awn (bristle like growth). The color of the rice grain is light purple when milled. It is resistant to major rice diseases and insect pests. Silicon based bio fertilizers can supply its nitrogen requirements easily. It needs less water and 120 days to mature. It expresses fully all traits under the present environmental conditions with more than 35 bags per sangam. Named after the consort of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba and the sister of Poreiton, Laisana phou is other version of Chakhao Poreiton.

The workshop, attended by Chief Guest Prof. Naorem Iboton Singh, the Green Foundation President Kh. Rajendra Singh; Guest of Honour P. Devakanta (National Awardee), and dignitaries including Prof. RK Tombisana, Prof. L Nabachandra, and Prof. Kh Ibohal, highlighted the transformative potential of these varieties. Prof. Iboton emphasized their low input requirements, noting that silicon-based biofertilizers can replace the nitrogen needs of the urea, significantly reducing costs. “These varieties can produce 30–33 bags per sangam, compared to 25-26 bags for traditional varieties,” he said. “With proper adoption, Manipur could achieve abundant rice production, supporting the food security and economic stability.”

Kh. Rajendra, President of Green Foundation Manipur, added, “These varieties will enable farmers to earn substantial profits by reducing costs and increasing yields.”

• Also Read: Organic farmers in Manipur using Penicillium citrinum Thom. successfully

U. Himmat, CEO of Green Foundation, pledged ongoing technical support to ensure farmers can maximize the benefits of these varieties. Farmers may avail the high tech farming inputs from the Foundation and reap good harvests which are chemical free. The release of these five multiple disease resistants rice varieties will make natural farming possible in the State.

The workshop also facilitated a dynamic farmer-scientist interaction, encouraging knowledge exchange and adoption of these climate-resilient varieties. The Green Foundation committed to providing technical inputs to support farmers in achieving higher yields and profitability. The event also featured a felicitation ceremony for farmers growing Lamyanba Irabot Phou for the last 20 years, recognizing their contributions to sustainable agriculture. The newly released multiple disease resistant rice varieties  are aimed at revitalising rice cultivation in Manipur.

Naming Multiple Disease Resistant Rice Varieties After Meetei Gods and Goddesses

The decision to name Manipur’s five new high-yielding, multiple disease resistants rice varieties—Numit Phou, Ningthou Phou, Imoinu Phou, Panthoibi Phou, and Laisana Phou—after Meetei gods and goddesses is a profound and inspired choice that weaves together cultural heritage, spiritual reverence, and agricultural innovation. This naming convention is not merely symbolic; it carries deep significance for the people of Manipur, reinforcing their identity, values, and aspirations while addressing modern challenges like climate change and food security.

Prof Naorem Iboton express his choice for naming the rice variety after Meetei Gods and Goddesses to khonor cultural and spiritual heritage of the land. 

The Meetei community, predominant in Manipur, has a rich spiritual tradition rooted in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion that venerates deities associated with nature, agriculture, and human prosperity. Naming these rice varieties after revered figures like Phou Ningthou (God of agriculture and fertility), Imoinu (Goddess of prosperity), Panthoibi (Goddess of civilization and wisdom), and Laisana (consort of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba) reflects a deep respect for this cultural legacy. Each name connects the rice variety to a divine attribute—fertility, abundance, wisdom, or resilience—mirroring the qualities these varieties embody. For instance, Ningthou Phou, named after the deity of agriculture, symbolizes the hope for bountiful harvests, while Imoinu Phou invokes prosperity, aligning with the variety’s high yield and low input costs.

This naming practice also serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, ensuring that the Meetei cultural identity remains vibrant in an era of scientific advancement. By embedding these divine names in everyday agricultural practice, the Green Foundation and Prof. Naorem Iboton Singh honor the spiritual connection that Meetei farmers have with their land, fostering a sense of pride and ownership.

Agriculture in Manipur is not just an economic activity but a way of life deeply intertwined with cultural and spiritual practices. Naming these varieties after Meetei deities imbues them with symbolic power, inspiring farmers to view their work as a sacred endeavor. For instance, Numit Phou, meaning “Sun Rice,” evokes the life-giving energy of the sun, a universal symbol of growth and vitality, while its mutation by ultraviolet rays aligns with the deity’s celestial significance. Similarly, Panthoibi Phou, named after the Goddess of civilization and wisdom, reflects the variety’s resilience and adaptability, qualities that resonate with the goddess’s attributes of courage and foresight.

This symbolic naming can motivate farmers to adopt these varieties, as the divine associations may instill a sense of trust and optimism. In a region where farming has become unprofitable due to high input costs and low yields, these names serve as a reminder of divine blessings, encouraging farmers to persevere with the promise of abundance and sustainability.

Strengthening Community Identity and Unity

In a diverse state like Manipur, where multiple ethnic groups coexist, the Meetei community’s cultural identity is a vital thread in the social fabric. Naming these rice varieties after Meetei deities reinforces a sense of unity and pride among farmers, who form a significant portion of the agricultural workforce. It acknowledges their historical and spiritual connection to the land, making the adoption of these varieties a collective endeavor to preserve and promote their heritage.

Moreover, these names resonate with the broader Manipuri populace, as the deities are revered across communities. By invoking universally respected figures like Imoinu and Panthoibi, the Green Foundation ensures that these varieties are not just agricultural innovations but also cultural touchstones that can unite farmers in a shared mission to revitalize rice cultivation.

In a time when climate change and economic pressures threaten traditional farming, these names serve as a reminder that resilience, prosperity, and wisdom—embodied by the deities—can guide Manipur toward a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future. By rooting these scientific advancements in the sacred, the Green Foundation ensures that these varieties are not just crops but symbols of hope, heritage, and harmony with nature.