Keeper of Bengal’s rice legacy

Krishnendu Bandyopadhyay,TNN | Jan 1, 2015, 12.12 AM IST

READ MORE Unsung Heroes|Indian Seed Bank|Fighters|Anupam Paul|Agricultural Training Centre

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Keeper-of-Bengals-rice-legacy/articleshow/45710278.cms

Rice Buffet

Choose a traditional rice variety to suit your dietary needs

                                             Hema Vijay, The Week | October 4, 2014

Even as late as in the 1990s, two lakh indigenous varieties of rice were being cultivated in India. Such diversity implied that if a person wished to try a new rice variety every day, he could live for over 500 years without needing to repeat one. And, during Vedic times, there were four lakh native rice types in India, as estimated by eminent rice scientist R.H. Richaria.

Even more consequential is the fact that Ayurveda and Siddha texts ascribe an impressive array of therapeutic and nutritional benefits to many indigenous rice varieties. Some increase immunity, some help build muscle mass while others rejuvenate hair growth and cure skin diseases and some are used in eye therapy. Ironically, despite this abundance, most of us settle for just one or two rather mediocre rice varieties through our entire life.

Thanks to organisations like the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS), Chennai, indigenous rice varieties may yet see a revival. CIKS is documenting and researching the nutritional and therapeutic properties of native paddy varieties. It has just concluded a pilot project, supported by HIVOS and Oxfam-Novib. Both organisations are based in The Netherlands; HIVOS is an international development organisation, while Oxfam-Novib is Oxfam's Dutch arm. The research has thrown up amazing findings which prompt a rethink on our choice of rice.

CIKS discovered that iron content in the Karungkuruvai variety is more than four times that in Ponni; the  former has higher energy and calcium content, too. Neelam Samba was found to be rich in calcium. Traditionally, this variety is advocated for lactating mothers. Mappillai Samba was found to be a good source of carbohydrates and crude fibre; this is consistent with traditional wisdom that it provides strength and stamina. Perungar, Karungkuruvai and Kullakar varieties are rich in protein.

The Glycemic Index (GI) of many traditional rice varieties was found to be significantly low. The GI of Karungkuruvai, Kullakar, Kouni and Kalanamak was 50-55, while GI of Mappillai Samba and Kudaivazhai was 66-69. Compare these with White Ponni's GI count—100.

“These are promising findings,” said A.V. Balasubramanian, director, CIKS. “Many of these rice varieties can be considered not just for widespread cultivation, but also nutritional therapy and even drug development.”

CIKS started off by looking through the information available on paddy types in modern technical literature, farmers' oral traditions, literature and folklore. Then it surveyed information in texts of Ayurveda and Pakasastra(the traditional science of cooking), in collaboration with the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bengaluru. In the third stage of research, information on paddy in Siddha texts was surveyed in collaboration with Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research, Chennai.

Zeroing in on these native seeds posed a challenge. “For instance, there is a variety called Gandhashali, mentioned in the big three Ayurvedic texts of Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya, and in the nighantus, the Ayurveda lexicons. However, we could not definitely conclude what Gandhashali corresponds to in the field. On the other hand, the characterisations of the Karungkuruvai now cultivated in fields coincided with the information in Siddha texts, and so we proceeded with nutritional analysis on it,” said Balasubramanian.

Next, CIKS did laboratory studies on the chosen rice varieties' physico-chemical properties (time taken to cook and volume of water absorbed), nutrient analysis (energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, crude fibre, calcium, iron, potassium, sodium and phosphorus), GI, and the acceptability factor (taste, fragrance, texture and grain length) in double-blind trial mode, in collaboration with Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai. To ensure uniform standards, all paddy varieties were grown organically and tested unpolished.

So, what is in the cards next? “More research and clinical trials to evaluate therapeutic claims,” said Balasubramanian. CIKS is now exploring collaborations with diverse institutions. For instance, institutions battling diabetes would find it rewarding to research further on rice varieties with low GI.

Finally, it is not just the nutrition factor that holds promise. For instance, the blackish Kalanamak, a fragrant variety from north India, is said to perform well in saline conditions. “We tried it in fields rendered saline and uncultivable in Nagapattinam by the 2004 tsunami,” said Balasubramanian. “Kalanamak worked here. We also discovered that Kalarpalai grew and gave a moderate yield in saline conditions, where no other paddy can grow.”

Scientists like Balasubramanian have only one request of Central and state governments—please facilitate mass production of indigenous seeds and make them widely available to farmers.

Pl  watch Folk Rice Tulaipanji of  Raigunj, West Bengal
http://youtu.be/k7jyEyJt_pE

Folk Rice Conservation in Kerala

There are several initiatives to conserve and reintroduce our rich folk rice varieties. Special nutritive qualities folk rice have not yet been explored .  Thanal in Kerala has initiated such  a programme.  The organization has a rice conservation centre at Mahandavady in Waynad district of Kerala. Mr Saneesh sung a folk song and Mr Leneesh spoke about the folk rice conservation effort at the centre. Mr Venkatesh  of Kottikallam of speaks of his folk rice conservation effort. 

Pl watch the video 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4MhXu2ne4U_YW1WQ0JsQlhsV1E/view?usp=sharing

Save our Rice Campaign of Kerala (Thanal- CREAT) in association with Paschim Sridharkati Janakalyan Sangha of Hingulgunj,Jogeshgunj, West Bengal has chosen Agricultural Training Centre, Fulia, Nadia, West Bengal for  organizing a three days Organic Seed Production Workshop for farmers, practitioners, facilitators and producer groups from 20th to 22^nd November 2014.

This was the maiden attempt of its kind in West Bengal.

The workshop was attended by farmers and organisations from 7 states namely-Assam, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal along with resource persons from across the country and participated in classroom sessions and visit the folk rice conservation of the centre
( 300 folk rice varieties) to undergo practical training with regard to rice morphology.More than 40 participants were present in the workshop. 

The main topics were  on-farm conservation and multiplication of folk seed varieties, establishing seed banks, diversity blocks and maintaining genetic purity of seeds, improved agronomic practices for enhancing production, organic farming, promotion of rice based cropping systems.

    Organic Seed Production Workshop  Date: 20-22 November, 2014

    Venue: Agricultural Training Centre: Fulia: Nadia: West Bengal

                                    

   Organized By  
                             

    Govt. of West Bengal                                                Save Our Rice               Paschim Sridharkathi Jana Kalyan Sangha

Agricultural Training Centre                                     Thanal-CREAT                                      Hingalgunj: West Bengal

        Fulia: Nadia: WB                                                        Trivandum         

ORGANIC SEED PRODUCTION WORKSHOP

20-22 November 2014

Venue: Agricultural Training Centre, Fulia, Nadia, West Bengal

Organizers: Paschim Sridhar Kati Janakalyan Sangha, Agricultural Training Centre-Fulia and Save our Rice

Programme Schedule

DATE		RESOURCE PERSON
19.11.2014	Arrival at ATC-Fulia
20.11.14
10.30-12.00	Inauguration/Self introduction / Ice break/Expectations
12:00-12:15	Tea Break
12.15 - 1.30	Politics of Seeds need of conservation & production of seeds at farmer level.  Save Our Rice Campaign Introduction	Usha Solapani, Save Our Rice- Thanal, Kerala
1.30 – 2.30	Lunch Break
2.30 -3.30	Concept of seed, self and cross pollinated crops, Seed Mapping and On farm Conservation	Krishna Prasad, Sahaja Samrudha, Bangalore
3:30-4:30	Safeguarding  Seed Saver’s Rights	Jacob Nellithanam, Richaria Campaign, Chattisgarh
4.30 – 5.30	Regional seed mapping and documentation of seed knowledge	Group work
5.30 – 7.00	Tea Break
7.00 – 8.00	Film Show/ Folk Songs
8:00-9:30	Dinner
21.11.14
9:00-11:30	Establishing Rice Diversity Blocks (including farm visit)	Dr Anupam Paul, ATC-Fulia
11:30-11:45	Tea Break
11.45 -1.30	Agronomic practices towards enhanced production in traditional Rice varieties	Sabarmatee Tiki, Sambhav, Odisha
1.30-2:30	Lunch Break
2.30 -3.15	Traditional Rice Varieties Production Systems	Soumik Banerjee, SWALA, Jharkhand
3.15 – 4.00	Promotion of Rice based multi cropping Systems	Allauddin Ahamed, SOR,WB
4.00-4.15	Tea Break
4:15-5:00	Traditional Rice conservation-Farmer experience	Sudam, Rice saver, Odisha
5:00 – 6:00	Traditional seed storage methods	Group work
6:00 – 7.00	Break
7.00 – 8.00	Film Show
8:00-9:30	Dinner
22.11.14
9.00-12.00	Conservation of Vegetable Diversity and vegetable seed production	Deepika Kundaji Auroville
12:00-12:15	Tea Break
12.15-12:45	Establishing Community Seed banks	Bishnu Pada Mridha, PSJKS, WB
12.45-1.30	Building Small scale Seed Business	Praveen Narsighmurthy, Sahaja Seeds, Bangalore
1.30-2:30	Lunch Break
2.30-4.00	Establishing seed savers network and Developing action plan	Group work- Folk Song
4.00-5.00	Conclusion
5:00-5:30	Tea & Departure

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Sibabrata Ghatak,  Deputy Director of Agriculture (Trg), Directorate of Agriculture , Govt of West Bengal, Jessop Building, Kolkata, Mr. G Krishna Prasad of Sahaja Samrudha  of  Bangaloru ,  Ms Sabarmati Tiki, Sambhab of Odisha , Ms Usha Solapani, Thanal of Kerala, Kerala (Save Our Rice Campaign- SOR),Mr Jecob Nellithanam , Richharia Campaign of Chattisgarh , Mr. S Sridharan , Thanal of Kerala addressed the assemblage.

The dignitaries and participants tied the earthen pot containing rice seeds of different states in the symbolic Seed Tree made of old bamboo branch. They were requested to remember the names of the folk rice varieties tied onto the symbolic Seed Tree. It was a wonderful event.

Mr. Jecob Nellithanam who worked with the legendary rice scientist Dr Radhelal  Harelal Richharia offered floral tribute to his picture . We feel proud to organize this event and this was the first such event in West Bengal.  Mr Alauddin Ahmed , SOR,  West Bengal gave the vote of thanks.

Mr. Bishnupada Mridha of Paschim Sridhar Kati jana Kalyan Sangha of Hingalgunj , West Bengal  has taken the major responsibility for making it a success. His team members along with other friends of Pathar Pratima also helped in decorating the dais and Seed Tree. Mr. Arun Ram of Uthnau,  Birbhum and Mr. Arun Das of Richharia Conservation Centre, Burdwan also helped a lot. The DDA (Trg) of ATC - Fulia staff of ATC- Fulia also cooperated a lot for this event.

Dr Anupam Paul of ATC Fulia worked as anchor and facilitator and took the participants to the Biodiversity Conservation farm of the centre where 300 folk rice varieties are growing. He showed the morphological characters of rice. Mr. Samik Banerjee of SWALA , Jharkhand, one of the resources persons  has coordinated the classes. 

Local farmer Mr Pravat Dey showed live demonstration of  Bamboo Rat Trap 

Apart from traditional folk songs, famous Baul singer (a kind of folk singer) Satyanada Das and his partner Ms Hari Dasi sang beautiful songs.

News Paper Reports in Bengali Fortnightly Agricultural Newspapers 

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A leading Bengali Daily The BARTAMAN has published a news on folk rice conservation on 12th Oct 2014 effort at the Agricultural Training Centre, Fulia, Nadia