Sunday, July 15, 2012

Yield of traditional rice varieties

Green revolution in India had started with agenda of increasing grain production after independence. To increase grain production the following were done 1. Increasing farm area 2. Irrigation facilities with big dams and channels so that instead of single crop 2 crops could be cultivated comfortably 3. Introduction of HYVs (High Yielding Varieties) which matured in short duration and produced heavy yield under chemical fertilisers.

It has been told that yield of traditional rice varieties is low and to increase the production dwarf varieties of rice called HYVs like IR8 was produced which gives better results on application of fertilizers. IR8 gave 5 tons per hectre without fertilizer and 10 tons per hectre with chemical fertilizers. The traditional varieties were giving only 1-2 tons per hectre, as per the history.

On introducing the semi dwarf verieties farmers stopped cultivation of traditional varieties. It is said that India had 1,10,000 varieties of rice and kerala had 4000 varieties.

But recent reports show that there are many traditional varieties which provides 5-10 tons of yield per hectre. Here is a summary of performance of Indigenous Rice Varieties under SRI method, provided by Dr.Norman Thomas Uphoff of Cornell University, USA.

So if there were alternatives available locally, then what was the reason for going for dwarf varieties and resulting in chemical pollution and wiping out all the diversity?Probably if local varieties were used to achieve the production, then the diversity would have preserved and Indian agriculture would have been different. For any country locally available seeds/diversity is the best.


Performance of Some Indigenous Rice Varieties Under
System of Rice Intensification ( Kharif 2010) in Sambhav

Name of the Varities
Yield per Hectare
(in tonne)
Talamuli (1)
11
Surangibaran (1)
10
Agnilaal (1)
9
Laghu Pathara, Runja Manika, Dilip Mota, Sita Sal, Radha Tilak,
Birai, Gopal Bhog, Sunapani (deep water rice), Sana Bhata Dhan, Morikhas, Ketaki Champa (11)
8
Nandika, Khajur Cheri, Bhainspat, Banamal, Mayurkantha, Narayan Kamini, Lathisal, Karpurakeli (Aromatic), Govind Bhoga (Aromatic), Banspatri, Samalai Bhog (Aromatic), Saragtara, Debrani, Ajirbana, Ketakijoha (Aromatic) (15) (Aromatic – 4)
7
Barhagali, Andharchaki, Dandabalunga, Nadiaphula, Mugudi, Hari Shankar, Barapanka, Kalabarni, kajal Kanhei, Kukudamunda,Badagandamala, Kolajan, Jagatsinghpur Basmati, Saru Chinamali, Ghios, Bhaluki (no.2), Sunasari, Meghamala, Kalakanhu, Katrangi, Gangabali (Aromatic), Baramasi, Tulsi Mukul (Aromatic),Chamormoni , Batakalama, Kanakchur, Kuja, Kuji patali, Jalendri, Rahaspanjar , Matabhog (Aromatic), Panicheri, Kalajeera (Aromatic), Basbhog (Aromatic), Doddaberunelu, Banglapatnai (36) (Aromatic – 5)
6
Banapuri, Kankhri, Bhalu Dubraj, Ramsal, Kerandi, Ramigali, Laghu Bhutia, Gedi Kanhei, Lim Dhan, Alsikiba, Raghusal, Nadiajodi, Badanali, Kalonunia (Aromatic), Dhusura Bhutia, Silkote, Balabhadrabhog, Baikani, Nalipakhia, Mugajai (Aromatic),Dudh Kalama, Jawaphul (Aromatic), Kalakadam, Geleigeti, Chudi, Kadalia Champa, Bhelian, Ganagabali (no. 2), Tulsa, Raniakhanda, Kajalamali, Jhingesal, Dhaniaphual, Tulsibasa (Aromatic), Khaw Dam (34) (Aromatic – 4)
5

  • These varieties were collected from various states (donated by various people and institutions). Some are grown for the first time and some are already grown for more than one season in Sambhav.
  • Since Sambhav has a small patch of land (1.5 acres) where it is growing more than 350 varieties for seed only. So the calculations are made following established method only. These are not actual productions.
  • Performance of many varieties, specifically upland varieties are not yet compiled.

16 comments:

kiran said...

can you suggest me a desi rice variety for diabetic.myself kiran adari from andhra pradesh.my mobile 9390938460.

Nandakumar said...

Hi Kiran,

I don't have any rice variety for diabetic,but heard of such varieties exist. I have a friend called Srinath in AP who cultivates many rice varieties. His number is sent to you by SMS, please check with him, you can give my name as reference



Regards,
Nandan

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
chaitanya said...

though an old post, have following query. Please help

Basbhog (Aromatic) -> I find this paddy varient in the list mentioned. Do you have more details on this variety or any contact who can share more info on this?
You can mail me @ baacharaju.chaitu@gmail.com

Nandakumar said...

Hi Chaitanya,

I don't know where to get this variety, just search for details of Debal Deb in internet, he should be having details.

Regards,
Nandan

chaitanya said...

Thanks for the reply. I will contact him.
Btw I have got this variety from a local organization in Hyderabad and cultivated in my farm. It is going good so far now.
But wanted to know details like composition, health benefits, marketing etc. (atleast in brief if not in detail) so that it helps me during post harvest period to update people who are going to take it from me and also encourage other farmers to take up this seed.

I am also planning to develop desi seeds in our farm this rabi season (atleast 10-20 varieties) so that a local seed bank of desi seeds can be developed at my end and capture in detail about each seed.

Nandakumar said...

Hi Chaitanya,

Nice to hear that, would love to see some photos of this rice. Good to know that you are developing a seed bank of traditional varieties. I have seen personally that traditional varieties are sturdy compared to HYV and tastes excellent.


Regards,
Nandan

Chaitanya said...

Tried emailing you but facing some issue. Can we discuss over Whatsapp/Telegram. Thats easy :)

Nandakumar said...

Yes, you can ping me on Whatsapp, my cell phone - +91-8089639261

Regards,
Nandan

Srinivas27 said...

Sir, where can I get thalamuli seeds?
Please Help me.

Nandakumar said...

I don't know where you can get Talamuli seeds. You can check with Debal Deb, his email should be available in internet.

Regards,
Nandan

chaitanya said...

Sir, I need few traditional varieties seed sample. Can u gimme your no. Or ping on my no. 9090433336

Nandakumar said...

Hi Chaitanya,

Hope you talked to Srinath and got the details of traditional varieties

Regards,
Nandan

Ram said...

What is the content of fibre in this traditional rice.In our telugu states Mr vijayaram sir talks about this traditional rice and natural farming

Unknown said...

Hi sir my name is g Rama Krishna from andhra pradesh i am working with natural farming and I am farming desi variety chintaluru sanalu , sidha sanalu, Rathna chodi, Dudheswari, kalabhati

Nandakumar said...

Ram,
I don't know fibre content details...Ramakrishna, Nice to hear that you are cultivating these traditional rice varieties. Would like to know what kind of yield you are getting from these.


Regards,
Nandan