Sustainability and challenges in cultivation of traditional rice varieties in Kerala
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Date
2019
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Department of Agriculturel Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
Traditional agriculture comprises systems of agriculture practiced in a
locality, using knowledge handed down through generations and evolved to suit the
special features of that location. Special type of planting, crop maintenance, input
application, post-harvest practices and folk art related to and synchronising with
farming operations are the key characteristics of traditional agriculture. Traditional
rice varieties are innately high in nutritive value. Rice varieties like Jeerakasala,
Gandhakasala, the indigenous scented varieties, once popularly cultivated almost
everywhere in the state of Kerala, vanished from the scene as times changed. But
now, they are again coming back to a small extent in selected pockets in the state,
subsequent to promotion efforts by governmental and non-governmental agencies.
The traditional varieties are invaluable, not only for marketing or consumption
purpose but also as a tool for genetic resource development and conservation.
Cultivation of these varieties is environment friendly, they enhance food security
and protection of natural resources.
In this view the present study entitled "Sustainability and challenges in
cultivation of traditional rice varieties of Kerala" was taken up in the department of
Agricultural Extension , College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2017-19.
The study was formulated with the objectives to explore into the history of the
traditional rice cultivation in selected locations in Kerala along with personal and
social attributes of the people who undertake traditional rice cultivation, to
document the crop management, product handling and marketing behaviour of the
farmers, to examine the Government and non-government support to them,
utilization of the same and the legal recognition if any, of the farmers to analyse the
constraints experienced by these fanners, and to come up with suggestions and
recommendations to improve the status of the traditional rice cultivating
communities of Kerala.
The study was carried out in two districts, Wayanad and Malappuram. A
total of 90 respondents formed the sample for the study, which constituted 60
respondents from Wayanad district and 30 from Malappuram district selected
randomly.
Analysis of the personal and social attributes of the people who undertake
traditional riee cultivation revealed that traditional rice cultivation is manly handled
by middle aged to older generation (more than 85.00% of respondents) with
agriculture as the main occupation. More than 87.00 per cent of the respondents
were males. Majority of the respondents (65.00%) had high school level education.
Average educational status was higher in Malappuram district (SSLC level)
compared to Wayanad district (below SSLC level).
Sixty percentage of the respondents had more than thirty years of farming
experience. Respondents in Wayanad district had more farming experience
compared to Malappuram district. 85.52 per cent of respondents were belonging to
the marginal farmer category which implies the general land holding capacity in
Kerala. More than 60.00 per cent of respondents were staying in less than 6 km
distance to town. This points towards the general urbanising trend in Kerala.
Majority of the respondents (70.00%) were selling more than 40.00 per cent
of their produce. Number of respondents, selling more than 80.00 per cent of their
produce were less in Wayanad district compared to Malappuram due to shortfalls
in Supplyco procurement whereas household eonsumption was comparatively
higher in Wayanad district compared to Malappuram distriet. Majority of the
marginal farmers were selling only around 40.00 per cent of their produce whereas
small, medium, semi medium and large farmers were selling large quantity of
produce (>80.00%) compared to marginal farmers.
In the case of marketing behaviour, majority of the farmers were positioned
in the medium level. Marketing behaviour index had a significant relationship with
age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, farming experience and volume
of produce marketed. Higher educational qualification had a great role in marketing
behaviour development among farmers, so respondents in Malappuram district had
high marketing behaviour index compared to Wayanad, because they had higher
educational status. Respondents working in other sector had high marketing
behaviour index compared to respondents under farming alone.
None of the respondents had legal recognition status as registered farmer.
Due to lack of proper financial, technical and legal support, farmers had the
tendency to shift to banana cultivation. Shortage of skilled labour, transportation
facilities and irrigation facilities were the main constraints faced by the traditional
rice farmers. Threats from wild animals was the main problem faced by farmers in
Wayanad district.
There should be a mechanism for registration and official recognition of
traditional rice varieties. They should have a separate marketing mechanism, which
will ensure better price and improve visibility to consumers. It is imperative that.
State Department led schemes should be designed and implemented to promote
traditional rice cultivation. Milling facilities that will help preserving the quality
and appearance of traditional rice should be established. Educating the farmers on
current and future legal and government support mechanisms for traditional rice
will motivate the farmers to remain in traditional agriculture. Mitigation strategies
to control threat of wild animals will help conservations of these systems in such
areas. Improvement in irrigation facilities and individual farmers' access to
economic transport and storage facilities will also generally help traditional farming
systems.
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