the super-fine and high-yielding variety of raw rice, BB2 5204, evolved at the Babatala Research Station in Andhra Pradesh, is now being cultivated in an area of about 810 hectares in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

This variety is comparable to the low-cost, no-risk white-ponni, which was imported from Malaysia almost 15 years ago, said S S Nagarajan, vice-president J Farms, Tractor and Farm Equipments. Nagarajan told reporters that the variety has been rechristened Jilakara Ponni.

He added that feedback from farmers, traders and housewives revealed that they were satisfied with the new variety.

The rice was found suitable for cultivation mostly in the warm belts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. About the grain quality and yield of BB2 5240, Nagarajan said it gave a high-milling return.