Latest news with #SahajaSamrudha
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- 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.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Hubballi SHG wins UN award
Hubballi: The Bibi Fatima Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village in Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, was honoured with the Equator Initiative Award given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an award often referred to as the Nobel Prize for biodiversity conservation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sahaja Samruddha, a mentoring organisation for the SHG, said in a press release that this year's award selection was based on the theme 'Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action'. Around 700 competitors from 103 countries participated in the selection process. Representing India, the Bibi Fatima SHG was chosen for this prestigious recognition alongside organisations from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Ecuador. The award includes a cash prize of USD 10,000, approximately Rs 8.5 lakh, the release said. Part of the Sahaja Samrudha network, this women's group has made remarkable achievements in areas like implementing eco-friendly farming practices in rainfed lands, managing community seed banks, ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting millet cultivation, and running a millet processing unit, to value addition and marketing. Notably, in about 30 villages, the group successfully revived millet-based mixed cropping systems through natural farming methods. Formed in 2018 in Teertha village by just 15 women, the Bibi Fatima SHG began its journey with the aim of improving the livelihoods of small and marginal farming families through sustainable agriculture. They introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms, empowered women, promoted climate-resilient farming systems, practised livestock rearing and horticulture, and popularised millets at the village level. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This work simultaneously ensured both nutritional security and income stability. When challenges arose in millet processing, under the guidance of Sahaja Samrudha and with support from the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, and CROPS4HD, they set up a millet processing unit, entirely managed by women. Selco Foundation provided a solar-powered electricity system for the unit. The Bibi Fatima SHG prioritised the conservation of indigenous crop varieties that can withstand climate extremes, safeguarding hundreds of millet varieties. They also established a community seed bank to distribute these seeds free of cost to interested farmers. During both kharif and rabi seasons, the group participates in seed fairs organised annually by Sahaja Samrudha in surrounding villages, distributing quintals of indigenous seeds to organic farmers. Additionally, using solar-powered machinery, the group produces value-added millet products such as rotis and vermicelli, which are supplied to consumers. Members also actively participate in awareness campaigns in urban and semi-urban areas to promote chemical-free food products, winning consumer appreciation with their traditional recipes and snacks. Through initiatives such as on-farm biodiversity conservation in dryland areas, farmers' markets, and sustainable agriculture practices, the Bibi Fatima SHG has improved the economic status of women from small and marginal farming households. It is also promoting rural, agriculture-based enterprises in collaboration with Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Desi rice mela to showcase over 200 traditional varieties in Mysuru
A two-day desi rice mela will be held in the city on August 9 and 10 at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry with the objective of reviving the rich heritage of native paddy varieties, once synonymous with the Old Mysuru region. Organised by Sahaja Samrudha, Save Our Rice Campaign, and CREATE, the mela will highlight the diversity of desi rice, which was once integral to the region's food culture. G. Krishnaprasad of the Sahaja Samrudha said that one of the objectives of the event is to create awareness among the public about the diversity in paddy and how it was going out of vogue due to consumer preferences shifting towards polished white rice. Underlining the diversity of traditional varieties, he said that farmers in Old Mysuru region traditionally cultivated distinctive varieties such as Rajamudi, Ratnachoodi, Rajabhoga, Putta Bhatta, Anekombina Bhatta, Bangara Kaddi, Munduga, Halubalu, etc. Each rice type had a culinary usage apart from having medicinal values, all of which has been displaced by polished white rice, said Mr. Krishnaprasad. 'The festival seeks to raise awareness among both consumers and farmers about the nutritional and cultural value of indigenous rice,' he added. The mela will display over 200 varieties of rice, and visitors can also explore and purchase an array of red, black, golden, and aromatic rice from different parts of the country such as Kala Namak (Uttar Pradesh), Kala Jeera (Odisha), Komal Chawal (Assam), Navara and Mullan Kayama (Kerala), Mapillai Samba (Tamil Nadu), Ambe Mohar (Maharashtra), etc. Also on display will be Karnataka's own rare treasures such as Karigajivili, Rajamudi, Dodyaga, Dodda Baira Nellu, Siddha Sanna, Salem Sanna, Rajabhoga, and Andanuru Sanna. 'High-quality seeds for the upcoming monsoon sowing season will be available alongside organic products, fruits, vegetables, native seeds, and value-added food items,' the organisers said. There will also be a 'desi rice cooking contest' to familiarise the younger generation with traditional food culture. Participants must prepare any dish using desi rice at home and bring it to the venue by 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, August 10. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. A drawing contest will also be held on the theme 'The World of Rice I Saw', which is open to children in two age categories: 5 to 10 years and 10 to 15 years. Participants should draw their entries at home and submit them by 11.00 a.m. on Sunday, August 10. Six of the best drawings will receive prizes, the organisers added. For more details, contact Manju at 70900 09944.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Desi Rice Fair to showcase traditional varieties, promote awareness
Mysuru: A two-day Desi Rice Fair will be held in the city on Saturday and Sunday at the Nanjaraja Bahadur Chathra. To raise awareness among consumers and farmers about the diversity of desi rice, Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign are organising this rice fair. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the Desi Rice Fair, varieties of red, black, golden, and aromatic rice will be on display and for sale. A special attraction this year is the availability of medicinal paddy and rice varieties. Famous rice varieties from across India will be displayed. These rice varieties include Kala Namak from Uttar Pradesh, Kala Jeera from Odisha, Komal Chawal from Assam, Navara and Mullan Kayama from Kerala, Mapillai Samba from Tamil Nadu, Ambe Mohar from Maharashtra, Chitta Mutyalu from Andhra Pradesh, Govindobhog, and Kalo Bhat from West Bengal. Karnataka's own rare varieties such as Karigajivili, Rajamudi, Dodyaga, Dodda Baira Nellu, Siddha Sanna, Salem Sanna, Rajabhoga, and Andanuru Sanna will also be displayed. Over 200 traditional rice varieties will be showcased. High-quality seeds for the upcoming monsoon sowing season will be available. In addition, organic products, fruits, vegetables, native seeds, and value-added products will be on sale. As part of the fair, a Desi Rice Cooking competition has been organised. Participants are invited to prepare any dish using traditional rice at home and bring it to the fair by 12.30pm on Aug 10. A drawing competition titled "The World of Rice I Saw" will be held for two age groups: 5 to 10 years and 10 to 15 years. Children must draw at home and bring their artwork to the fair by 11.00am on Sunday, Aug 10.
