Paddy diversity, agricultural heritage highlighted in Mysuru desi rice mela
The objective of the mela is to highlight the paddy diversity that existed in the Old Mysuru region, and how scores of indigenous paddy varieties are going out of vogue due to the proliferation of hybrid varieties and shifting consumer preference to white polished rice.
With over 200 paddy varieties on display, the mela is being held at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, and has been organised under the aegis of Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign. Also on display are traditional rice varieties from different States, including rare types such as red rice, aromatic rice, black rice, medicinal rice, and bold-grained rice, along with value-added rice products.
Paddy conservators from across the State are selling their own desi rice directly. Seeds of popular varieties like Rajamudi, Burma Black, Sidda Sanna, Ratnachudi, Navara, Govind Bhog, HMT, and Sindhoor Madhusale are also on display and for sale.
The mela was inaugurated by B.P. Ravishankar, a seed conservator from Hudoor in Ponnampet, Kodagu. He has preserved as many as 57 desi rice varieties.
'Paddy cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive. With the arrival of commercial crops, traditional paddy varieties are being pushed to the margins and the government must provide necessary support to bring these desi rice varieties back into farmers' fields', said Mr. Ravishankar.
Unveiling medicinal rice varieties, Shridevi Annapurna Singh, former Director of the Central Food Research Institute, said that traditional varieties are rich in nutrients, while the black and red rice varieties have medicinal properties, and called for their inclusion in people's diets.
Presiding over the event, G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha and the Organic Farmers' Collective, said that farmer-breeders in Karnataka have developed excellent paddy varieties like Sidda Sanna, Sindhoor Madhusale, Andanoor Sanna, and NMS-2. 'The government must take steps to release these varieties, which are popular among farmers,' he said.
Mr. Prasad also cautioned against any attempts by the government to introduce transgenic paddy varieties that pose risks to the environment and consumer health. Farmers and consumers must remain vigilant to prevent transgenic paddy from entering farmers' fields, he added.
C. Shanthakumar, the coordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign, said that Karnataka was the home of paddy diversity, but hundreds of varieties have been lost due to lack of demand. ''The desi rice mela has been organised to create awareness among farmers and consumers about nutrient-rich, traditional paddy varieties suited to local food habits,' he added.
The mela also offers millets, vegetable seeds, tubers, organic products, and fruit saplings that are for sale.
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Desi rice mela reinforces call to preserve paddy diversity
The two-day desi rice mela which concluded on Sunday drew attention to the imperatives of turning attention on indigenous variety of rice and reviving paddy diversity of the region. The mela was conducted by Sahaja Samrudha and Save Our Rice Campaign and flagged the growing threat to traditional paddy strains that were losing ground to high-yielding commercial hybrids. Over 200 paddy strains from across the region and also different part of the country were on display and sale and the public response was overwhelming on the last day. In a bid to combine advocacy with cultural engagement, the organisers had organised a cooking competition and children's drawing contest which evoked good response. Gurulingaswamy, a farmer and seed conservator from Haveri, distributed the prizes to the winners. He said that indigenous variety of rice was cultivated for hundreds of years in the country and is part of the local food culture. ''These nutrient-rich varieties are being supplanted by polished white rice devoid of any health benefits and hence the consumers should make a switch to traditional rice varieties so as to kindle demand for them,' he added. Ms. Leela Shivakumar who was the judge, called for kitchens to become 'treasure troves' of indigenous rice, noting that dietary diversity was essential for long-term health. Artist S. Vishnukumar, who awarded prizes for the children's drawing contest on the topic 'The World of Rice – As I See It', said such activities foster awareness among youth about agricultural heritage. Winners were Kusuma Krishnamurthy (first), Mani Virupaksha (second), and Sunitha Kumari (third), with Chandraben K. receiving a consolation prize. In the under-10 drawing category, Punaradatta secured first place, followed by Khushitashvi and Khushi, with Rajdeep receiving a consolation prize. In the 11 to 15 years category, Aadya won the first prize, N. Manvi bagged the second prize and Hoysala received the third prize, according to the organisers.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Desi Rice Mela sheds light on local paddy varieties
Mysuru: A seed conservator from Hudoor in Ponnampet in Kodagu district, has preserved 57 desi rice varieties. BP Ravishankar, the conservator, said paddy cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive. With the arrival of commercial crops, traditional paddy varieties are being pushed to the margin. "The govt must provide necessary support to bring these desi rice varieties back into farmers' fields," he said. After inaugurating the two-day Desi Rice Mela here on Saturday, he said: "For hundreds of years, farmers have been conserving and cultivating local paddy varieties. These desi rice varieties are grown in line with our food culture and traditions. It is everyone's responsibility to pass these varieties on to the next generation. Consumers should use them for good health," he advised. Unveiling the medicinal rice varieties, CFTRI former director Sridevi Annapurna Singh said traditional varieties are rich in nutrients. "Black and red rice have medicinal properties. By including them in diet, people can protect their health," she said. Suresh Kann of Save Our Rice Campaign, Tamil Nadu, Shanthakumar C, coordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign, Prema Lokkundi, head of Renuka Mahila Sangha, Bibi Jan, president of the Bibi Fathima Mahila Sangha of Teertha village, Kundagol taluk, were present. G Krishna Prasad, director of Sahaja Samrudha and the Organic Farmers' Collective, presided over the event. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Paddy diversity, agricultural heritage highlighted in Mysuru desi rice mela
The two-day desi rice mela commenced in Mysuru on Saturday, with seed conservators expressing concern that commercial crops were pushing the traditional paddy varieties to the brink. The objective of the mela is to highlight the paddy diversity that existed in the Old Mysuru region, and how scores of indigenous paddy varieties are going out of vogue due to the proliferation of hybrid varieties and shifting consumer preference to white polished rice. With over 200 paddy varieties on display, the mela is being held at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, and has been organised under the aegis of Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign. Also on display are traditional rice varieties from different States, including rare types such as red rice, aromatic rice, black rice, medicinal rice, and bold-grained rice, along with value-added rice products. Paddy conservators from across the State are selling their own desi rice directly. Seeds of popular varieties like Rajamudi, Burma Black, Sidda Sanna, Ratnachudi, Navara, Govind Bhog, HMT, and Sindhoor Madhusale are also on display and for sale. The mela was inaugurated by B.P. Ravishankar, a seed conservator from Hudoor in Ponnampet, Kodagu. He has preserved as many as 57 desi rice varieties. 'Paddy cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive. With the arrival of commercial crops, traditional paddy varieties are being pushed to the margins and the government must provide necessary support to bring these desi rice varieties back into farmers' fields', said Mr. Ravishankar. Unveiling medicinal rice varieties, Shridevi Annapurna Singh, former Director of the Central Food Research Institute, said that traditional varieties are rich in nutrients, while the black and red rice varieties have medicinal properties, and called for their inclusion in people's diets. Presiding over the event, G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha and the Organic Farmers' Collective, said that farmer-breeders in Karnataka have developed excellent paddy varieties like Sidda Sanna, Sindhoor Madhusale, Andanoor Sanna, and NMS-2. 'The government must take steps to release these varieties, which are popular among farmers,' he said. Mr. Prasad also cautioned against any attempts by the government to introduce transgenic paddy varieties that pose risks to the environment and consumer health. Farmers and consumers must remain vigilant to prevent transgenic paddy from entering farmers' fields, he added. C. Shanthakumar, the coordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign, said that Karnataka was the home of paddy diversity, but hundreds of varieties have been lost due to lack of demand. ''The desi rice mela has been organised to create awareness among farmers and consumers about nutrient-rich, traditional paddy varieties suited to local food habits,' he added. The mela also offers millets, vegetable seeds, tubers, organic products, and fruit saplings that are for sale.
