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Agriculture | Rice diversity is his passion

Rice diversity is his passion

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published Published on Apr 23, 2014   modified Modified on Apr 23, 2014
-The Hindu
 

 

Farmer plans to set up a farm showcasing 250 varieties

Mysore: Known to conserve indigenous varieties of rice from different parts of the country, S.R. Srinivasmurthy, paddy cultivator from T. Narsipura in Mysore district, has augmented his rich collection in recent years and plans to set up a demonstration farm this season.

The demonstration farm will feature about 250 rice varieties, collected by him over the years.

A "farmer by accident", who reluctantly took to agriculture as he was initially keen on becoming a police constable but lost out to the height factor, Mr. Srinivasmurthy's farm is located at Siddanahundi, about 7 km from T. Narsipura.

Demonstration plot

Until a few years ago, his land was but a demonstration plot as he had planted small quantities of about 200 varieties of rice collected from across the country. Farmers visiting his plot collected seeds of some exotic species of rice and cultivated them on their land or even distributed them among their circle.

But, Mr. Srinivasmurthy had to sustain his family, so he took up commercial cultivation of HMT variety of rice, which was developed by another farmer, Ramaji Khobragade of Nanded in Maharasthra, which was in great demand. However, being a staunch believer and proponent of organic farming, he was not willing to use chemical fertilizers or adopt mono-culture on his farmland.

He now continues to cultivate HMT variety on a large-scale for his livelihood.

Certified as organic

"I am practising only organic farming in my agricultural field and it has been certified as an organic field by the Sahaja Samrudha. I am into conservation of indigenous rice varieties by choice and conviction, as most of these are on the brink of extinction and might be lost to posterity," said Mr. Srinivasmurthy, who was inspired to collect rice varieties by another farmer, Boregowda of Shivahalli. "These varieties were cultivated by our ancestors and passed on to us for generations. It is a tragedy that the present generation of farmers are losing interest in their preservation and switching over to hybrid rice and chemical farming. They are increasingly dependent on multinational companies for seeds, which adds to agricultural cost," said Mr. Srinivasmurthy.

Rice melas

"I attended a few rice melas in Odisha and West Bengal and collected new varieties that increased my collection from 200 to 250. So, the new demonstration plot will showcase 250 different varieties of rice in the new agricultural season," Mr. Srinivasmurthy said.

Komala, Madras Sanna, Tulsia, Mutthina Sanna, Doddigya, Bheema Saale, Solari, Ratna Chudi, Aanekombinna Battha are a few among the more exotic varieties of rice to be exhibited, according to Mr. Srinivasmurthy.

Distributed seeds

He has distributed seeds to over 500 farmers, and believes, this will create greater awareness among the farming community about the rice diversity of the country and help in their conservation.

The Hindu, 22 April, 2014, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnat
aka/rice-diversity-is-his-passion/article5935728.ece
 


The Hindu, 22 April, 2014, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/rice-diversity-is-his-passion/article5935728.ece


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