Monday, Sep 06, 2010
Banavasi GP seed bank will be inaugurated today

• Banavasi home for many deepwater paddy varieties
• Some varieties can survive up to 45 days under water

Bangalore: Although it is a small step by a gram panchayat to preserve native paddy varieties, it may go a long way in protecting and preserving them for posterity. Banavasi, the erstwhile capital of Kadamba rulers, will have the first-ever seed bank in Karnataka managed by a gram panchayat, where 35 deepwater paddy varieties, will be conserved.

Banavasi and adjoining areas in the Varada river basin is home for a host of deepwater paddy varieties such as Nereguli, Karibatha, Sannavaalya, Karijadddu, Kani Somasale, Jenugoodu, Nettibatha, Kari Kantka, Edi Kuni and Karekal Dadiga. The seed bank, to be inaugurated on Monday, has been set up without any assistance from the Government. These varieties survive the floods caused by the Varada in Sirsi taluk of Uttara Kannada, and Sorab and Sagar in Shimoga districts. Some varieties can survive up to 45 days under water.

These native varieties grown organically on 11,000 acres survive in such conditions where hybrid varieties fail.

Posterity
"Native paddy varieties of the Varada basin have to be protected for posterity. We are encouraging farmers to take up cultivation of these varieties at least in part of their land," Mrutyunjaya Yelegar, gram panchayat member and former chairman, said.

Acknowledging that high-yielding paddy varieties were becoming popular among farmers, he said they would not incur a huge expenditure on cultivating these deepwater varieties.

Responsibility
"It is the responsibility of the panchayat to protect and promote these traditional varieties and raise awareness among the farmers," Mr. Yelegar said.

It was in December 2009 that the Banavasi gram panchayat decided to team up with Sahaja Samruddha, a non-governmental organisation promoting organic farming, to start the seed bank.

The gram panchayat's initiative will help about 9,500 families of farmers in 91 villages under 18 panchayats in three taluks.

Vishweshwara S. Gouder, who has four acres of land at Kantraji near Banavasi, said that the seed bank would help popularise the native paddy varieties.

"These varieties not only survive the floods, but also give farmers a good remuneration though the yield is low. While normal paddy may fetch Rs. 1,150 a quintal, deepwater varieties fetch around Rs. 1,350," Mr. Gouder said.

C. Shanthakumar, convenor of Save Rice Campaign, said that with the success of this initiative, neighbouring Jade and Chandragutti gram panchayats had evinced in a similar project.