UAHS has set up a seed bank and a museum for farmers

At a time when concerns are being expressed over the shrinking gene pool of native paddy varieties, known for their unique taste, aroma and medicinal qualities, the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shivamogga, has achieved significant strides in their conservation by establishing a seed bank and a museum.

The seed bank established at the UAHS, Shivamogga, is the repository of 190 native paddy varieties. Not only are these seeds offered to interested farmers for free, the information on their cultivation is also provided by experts.

S. Pradeep, director of the Organic Farming Research Centre of the university, told The Hindu that the paddy varieties suggested differ from one agro-climatic zone to another. The flood-resistant varieties, including ‘Nereguli’ and ‘Yeedikuni’, are prescribed for farmers who have land on river banks that swell during monsoon, while for farmers who cultivate paddy under rain-fed method, the drought-resistant varieties are given.

The work of conservation of native paddy varieties commenced with the establishment of the research centre on the campus in 2007. Sahaja Samrudha, a forum of farmers involved in promoting native farming practices and in marketing the foodgrains cultivated under organic farming method, also joined hands with the university.

In the initial period, senior scientists, teaching staff serving here and the students did elaborate field work to collect paddy seeds from farmers. ‘Nereguli’, ‘Yeedikuni’, and other flood-resistant paddy varieties were collected through field work in Talaguppa, Anavatti, and Jade Gram Panchayat limits on the banks of the Varada in Shivamogga district. These varieties can survive even if they are submerged in floodwaters for over 15 days. As part of the field work, the staff members and students visited paddy-growing villages in Koraput district of Odisha, and Bardhaman in West Bengal.

Exchanging seeds

Interestingly, in many villages, farmers refused to sell the seeds of native paddy varieties in their possession and instead opted for exchanging them. In Odisha, farmers gave away seeds of ‘Limchuri’ and ‘Gadaakutta’ varieties in their possession in exchange for ‘Gandhasale’ and ‘Rathnachudi’ varieties with the university students.

During kharif season, all 190 native paddy varieties are cultivated on a 10-acre land on the university campus without administering chemical inputs. After harvesting, the seeds are distributed among interested farmers. Prior to harvesting, Kshetrotsava, a field day, is held in which farmers can visit the plot and select the seeds they need.

A museum has also been established on the campus, where native paddy varieties are displayed with information related to the method of their cultivation and their origin.

M.K. Naik, Vice-Chancellor of the UAHS, Shivamogga, said the university plans to conduct research on nutritional value of each native variety of paddy in its repository and publish the findings.

The university will seek help from institutes such as the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, and the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru. The scientific confirmation of the nutritional benefits would help create a brand value for these paddy varieties, he said.