Cauvery delta farmers are gaining resilience by cultivating indigenous rice varieties

Sub: Geography

Sec: Agriculture

Context:

The Cauvery delta has been crucial for food security in southern India for centuries, with its fertile lands supporting lush paddy fields and vital canals.

Challenges faced by paddy cultivators along Cauvery delta:

In the last decade, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and poor irrigation have impacted rice production.
Smallholder paddy cultivators struggle with costly, water-intensive modern rice varieties, compounded by high costs of fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the economic viability of rice cultivation.

Revival of Traditional Farming Practices:

Farmers in the Cauvery Delta are turning to traditional farming methods and resilient rice varieties, inspired by initiatives like the ‘Save our Rice’ campaign.
Of the 186,000 acres planted with traditional paddy in Tamil Nadu, 42,000 acres are in the Cauvery delta.
Traditional practices integrate soil, water, and livestock, offering potential solutions to modern agricultural challenges.
Traditional varieties of paddy: Mappillai Samba, Karuppu Kavuni, Thooya Malli, Thanga Samba, and Kichadi Samba.
Other varieties like Kullakaar, Thooyamalli, and Karunkuruvai

Advantages of Traditional Rice Varieties:

Traditional rice yields may be lower per acre, but they offer fewer challenges and cost savings, such as using their seeds each season.
Some traditional varieties can sprout again without replanting, reducing labour.
Traditional rice is found in multiple hues (white, red, black, brown), each with unique nutritional and health benefits.
Traditional rice varieties are drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering than hybrid varieties.

Environmental and Health Benefits:

Traditional rice farming uses organic methods, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which benefits the environment and soil health.
These methods also support biodiversity by using only insect repellants and not harming beneficial insects.
Traditional rice is seen as healthier, addressing modern dietary issues and lifestyle diseases.

Marketing and Economic Challenges

Marketing traditional rice is challenging due to competition from cheaper, chemically-grown rice.
Farmers face difficulties selling their produce at fair prices and often need to transport their rice to specific mills for proper processing.
Mudfield Natural Farming in Pattukkottai helps over 100 farmers grow and market traditional rice organically, targeting urban consumers.

Source: DTE