Fertiliser crisis and its fallout
have dominated the headlines, emphasising farmers dependence on
chemical inputs. To those who feel that agriculture is not possible
without high-yielding seeds and synthetic fertilisers, Bhatta Utsav
held in Banavasi explained the significance of native varieties and
non-chemical farming.
Farmers from different parts of Karnataka met in Banavasi, Uttara
Kannada district, under the banner of Bhatta Utsav (paddy fest) in the
first week of June. They were not tense about fertiliser deficit as
they need not have to wait for any supply. Cow dung manure and several
other home-made decoctions using locally available resources act as
natural fertilisers/pesticides for them. They had completed sowing on
time and were eager to share their experiences with fellow farmers
gathered for the programme.
The two-day convention on paddy cultivation was organised by Sahaja
Samruddha in coordination with Thanal, Kerala and CREATE, Tamil Nadu,
Gram Vikas and BAIF along with local help. The fest which was organised
as part of 'Save our Rice Campaign' was a resistance to the entry of
genetically modified (GM) crops. The meet focused on three factors -
distinctiveness and importance of native varieties with all their
farmer-friendly features and health benefits, building pressure against
GM varieties which degenerate the ecological balance and biodiversity,
and finally networking farmers, scientists and seed journalists to make
sure that food sovereignty is regained.
More than a staple crop or commodity, rice means life to us in Asia. It
is the cornerstone of our food system, language, culture and livelihood
for thousands of years. The introduction of high-yielding varieties,
which ultimately became high-input-varieties, damaged the high
diversity found in paddy varieties. It also barred its multiple usage
as medicine and energiser for pregnant and lactating women.
At this juncture, when GM rice is under field trial in Maharashtra, it
will not be too long when it enters Karnataka through seed companies.
Days are not far for BT cotton saga to repeat in the case of BT brinjal
or GM rice. Considering this danger and to help farmers to come out of
the disappointment caused by dwarf varieties, cultivated in
monoculture, an exchange programme was arranged in Banavasi.
The rice hub
The thought of Banavasi brings with it the taste of pineapple. Cultural
festivities are common in this historical city ruled by the first
kingdom of Kannada, the Kadambas. For the first time, its distinct deep
water rice varieties were revered as farmers from different parts of
Karnataka gathered to exchange knowledge on native paddy.
River Varada is the lifeline of Banavasi, which had 67 varieties of
rice three decades ago. Now around 10-15 varieties of local paddy are
grown. Varieties like Nereguli, Kerejeddu, budda, jaddubhatta can
sustain flood for 20-40 days. Moreover, they don't require synthetic
fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers here accord no value to the new
high yielding varieties, for native varieties are more profitable.
There are many reasons for native varieties to vanish from the fields
in the last few decades. Fortunately, there are farmers, who inspite of
initial drawbacks, are successful in preserving endangered rice
varieties in the fields. Organic farming and native varieties go hand
in hand as per the experiences of farmers. Nandish, a farmer, who has
been growing 5-6 varieties of local paddy in his 10 acre field doesn't
approach fertiliser traders. He grows leguminous plants in his field,
which eventually act as natural fertilisers for the crop. 'High yield
without fertiliser' is his punchline these days.
Dummalli Shivamma is a known name in paddy cultivation and
vermicomposting. Based on her experience she explained the equation
between farm inputs, soil fertility and crop cultivation. She suggested
farmers to shift to organic fertilisers. Native seed and local inputs
are the major steps towards self-reliance, she added.
Boregowda, who has preserved 30 varieties of paddy in his field, was
the most sought after farmer in the meet. He has formed a forum called
Kamadhenu Sangha and influenced 80 farmers to grow these varieties in
their fields. They are also a success in direct marketing. Anjaneya A N
who has formed Muddanna Savayava Krishikara Balaga in Harihar on the
same lines drew inspiration from Boregowda. Now he grows local
varieties like malgudi sanna, ratna chudi, gandha sale, salem sanna and
chinniponni.
Most farmers who participated are members of Sahaja Samruddha network
of non-chemical farmers. Sahaja Samruddha, an organisation, which is
networking and supporting these organic farmers to preserve native
varieties, witnessed a proud moment when these farmers were guiding
others to take up sustainable methods of farming.
Support
Dr Mohan Talkalkoppa, who has been collecting various varieties to make
them available for farmers, has also extended support to register
distinct varieties in the growers' name at the Plant Variety Protection
Authority in New Delhi. This would safeguard these species from
mishandling by any seed company. He presented his collection and views
to the audience. Similarly, Dr Ramesh Bhat, who has researched on deep
water varieties, shared his observations.
A 1,111-feet-long paddy festoon prepared using native paddy by the
Sirivanthe Chandrashekhar couple and other designs which decorated the
place attracted elders and children alike. This gave added effect to
discussions on native varieties - the tasty rajamudi, flavoured
gandhasale, medicinal navara and karigajivili. Farmers from different
regions listed 182 varieties during the documentation session. Around
90 diverse seeds and ear heads were displayed at the exhibition. This
helped farmers to choose their preferences easily.
Three books titled 'Akkare Akki, Bhalire Bhatta' on rice, 'Alaneerina
Bhatta' on deepwater rice varieties and 'Bhatta, Baridaguttiruva Annada
Battalu' on rice culture, cultivation and politics were released on the
occasion.
G Krishna Prasad of Sahaja Samruddha says it is time to understand and
appreciate farmers' biotechnology. He further said that farmers, media
and scientists should join hands to save our rice and other crops. He
gave voice to farmers’ feelings when he said, "Can the government keep
aside one crore for community seed banks in its budget of Rs 100 crore
for seed subsidy?”
The ‘WANT’ List
The Government should popularise and sustain ecology, cultivation
practices, culture and food habits linked with native paddy varieties,
through the education system.
Area under paddy cultivation is decreasing alarmingly. Hence the
Government should encourage paddy growers with the necessary support.
The research and introduction of GM crops should be opposed.
Farmer conserves and organisations working with farmer scientists
should be given priority while allocating budget for research on native
varieties.
Agriculture universities and research stations should reproduce native
varieties in their collection and distribute them to farmers. Along
with high-yielding varieties released by the universities, farmers
should have an option to choose local varieties.
Research activities undertaken by agriculture universities and the
agriculture research sector should be need-based and farmer
participation should be made compulsory.
Modern varieties which failed to sustain in Karnataka should not be
imposed on farmers again.
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