Grow native varieties of paddy, farmers urged

The native varieties of paddy, which are endowed with medicinal qualities and are rich in nutrients, enjoy great demand in urban markets. Farmers engaged in the cultivation of native varieties of paddy should learn the skills to market their produce, said Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samrudha organisation.

‘Bhatha Vaibhava,' a programme to enlighten farmers on the need to conserve native varieties of paddy, was held on the farm of Jagadeesh Nailk where 32 native varieties of paddy were grown at Malavagoppa near here on Wednesday.

Dr. Krishnaprasad said that as the high cost of production had pushed farmers cultivating hybrid varieties of paddy to the debt, it was time for farmers to shift to cultivating native varieties of paddy in natural farming method. Rice produced from native varieties of paddy was rich in fibre content and medicinal values. As a chunk of the population in urban areas was suffering from ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, digestion problems, and the rice produced from native varieties of paddy enjoy great demand there.

Farmers engaged in natural farming should form a conglomeration of their own, and release their produce to the market under a brand name. Instead of selling paddy at a low price, farmers should convert it into rice and market it in a proper way to get additional income. The self-help groups in the villages could undertake value addition on the rice produced from native paddy varieties cultivated in organic farming method, he said.

The State had more than 3,000 varieties of native paddy which were known for their unique taste, aroma, adaptability, and medicinal value. He apprehended that the western farming method had posed a threat for the very existence of native paddy varieties.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha working president K.T. Gangadhar, who inaugurated the programme, demanded the Government to fix scientific price for the agriculture produce. The western farming practices, which were promoted in India to enhance the food production, had proved to be detrimental to the interests of farmers. He pressed the Government to convert the agriculture loans into incentive for food production.

The programme was organised by the Department of Agriculture in association with Sahaja Samrudha forum and Bhatha Ulisi Andolana. Leader of Raitha Sangha H.R. Basavarajappa was present.