Over the years, traditional crop varieties fully replaced by High Yielding Varieties(HYVs), Hybrids and genetically modified crops. In India, the first maize hybrid was released in 1961 for general cultivation, followed by hybrid varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, and non-hybrid, high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat. Since, traditional varieties are highly recommended because they have a relatively high nutritional value compared to the introduced varieties, their consumption gives diversity to daily food intake, adding flavor, special aroma and taste to the diet. These are fully lacking in HYVs. Mainly traditional vegetable varieties are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, dietary fiber and proteins.
According to rice scientists Richharia and Govindasamy states that in India more than 2 lakhs rice varieties had been identified with the evidence of Vedic and present day literature. But gradually all the local varieties are disappeared. The main reason is steady replacement with the high-yielding varieties (HYVs). And also ‘modern’ varieties continue to be aggressively promoted at the expense and exclusion of traditional varieties. For example, the success of HYVs in farms has often prompted state agricultural scientists and extension staff to promote these crops by exaggerating that their yields, claiming them to be higher than
those of indigenous varieties. But this was not true for many varieties. Many local varieties yields more than HYVs.(Eg., Kurangu samba, Kitchili samba, etc.). Several native varieties are good resistant to pests and diseases. And those can be cultivated in any adverse conditions like drought, water logging etc.
Some ingenious rice varieties :
These are all some traditional varieties in rice.
Some of the vegetable varieties:
BRINJAL
RIDGE GOURD
BOTTLE GOURD
According to rice scientists Richharia and Govindasamy states that in India more than 2 lakhs rice varieties had been identified with the evidence of Vedic and present day literature. But gradually all the local varieties are disappeared. The main reason is steady replacement with the high-yielding varieties (HYVs). And also ‘modern’ varieties continue to be aggressively promoted at the expense and exclusion of traditional varieties. For example, the success of HYVs in farms has often prompted state agricultural scientists and extension staff to promote these crops by exaggerating that their yields, claiming them to be higher than
those of indigenous varieties. But this was not true for many varieties. Many local varieties yields more than HYVs.(Eg., Kurangu samba, Kitchili samba, etc.). Several native varieties are good resistant to pests and diseases. And those can be cultivated in any adverse conditions like drought, water logging etc.
Some ingenious rice varieties :
 |
| Lakshmi kajal |
- Chithiraikar
- Kudaivazhai
- Puzhuthiikar
- Bhavani
- Perungar
- Vaigunda
- Pisini
- Puzhuthi samba
- Kudhiraival samba
- Neelan samba
- Lakshmi kajal
- Aruvadhan kodai
- Kollan samba
- Kuruvai
- Mattai 110
- Soolaikuruvai
- Mottakur
- Kattu vaniyam
- Chomala
- Selam samba
- Kurangu samba
- Kitchili samba
 |
| Bhavani |
These are all some traditional varieties in rice.
Some of the vegetable varieties:
BRINJAL
1. Dindugal local
2. Periyakulam local
3. Vellai Urundai
4. Varikkathithi
3. Vellai Urundai
4. Varikkathithi
TOMATO
1. Bangalore local
2. Guli thakkali
3. Periyakulam local
4. Pink thakkali
5. Sirsi nattu thakkali
6. Nattu thakkali
2. Guli thakkali
3. Periyakulam local
4. Pink thakkali
5. Sirsi nattu thakkali
6. Nattu thakkali
SNAKE GOURD
1. Kuttai pudalai
2. Nettai pudalai
2. Nettai pudalai
BITTER GOURD
1. Mithi pakal
2. Kuruvithalai pakal
3. Periyakai pakal
4. Nettai pakal
2. Kuruvithalai pakal
3. Periyakai pakal
4. Nettai pakal
 |
| Nurai peerkai |
1. Kuttai peerkai
2. Chori peerkai
3. Mezhugu peerkai
4. Pambu peerkai
5. Nurai peerkai
2. Chori peerkai
3. Mezhugu peerkai
4. Pambu peerkai
5. Nurai peerkai
PUMPKIN
1. Thalaiyanai poosani
2. Urundai poosani
2. Urundai poosani
BEAN
1. Belt avarai
2. Pattai avarai
3. Kozhi avarai I
4. Yanaikathu avarai
5. Irakkai avarai
6. Thampattai avarai
2. Pattai avarai
3. Kozhi avarai I
4. Yanaikathu avarai
5. Irakkai avarai
6. Thampattai avarai
CHILLI
1. Perennial chilli
2. Palur chilli
3. Nattu chilli
4. Kandhari chilli
5. Butter chilli
2. Palur chilli
3. Nattu chilli
4. Kandhari chilli
5. Butter chilli
 |
| Kazuthu surai |
1. Kumbam surai
2. Satti surai
3. Pambu surai
4. Kazuthu surai
5. Vatta surai
2. Satti surai
3. Pambu surai
4. Kazuthu surai
5. Vatta surai
BHENDI
1. Bangalore local
2. Kulemagali vendai
3. Nattu vendai
In order to promote traditional crop varieties, community seed banks should be established in each village, and required infrastructure facilities need to be developed to enhance the conservation and distribution of traditional rice varieties. And also give more subsidiaries to the local varieties cultivation. Give high prices to farmers who cultivate the indigenous varieties. Give patent and all rights to the local varieties.
2. Kulemagali vendai
3. Nattu vendai
In order to promote traditional crop varieties, community seed banks should be established in each village, and required infrastructure facilities need to be developed to enhance the conservation and distribution of traditional rice varieties. And also give more subsidiaries to the local varieties cultivation. Give high prices to farmers who cultivate the indigenous varieties. Give patent and all rights to the local varieties.
What is 'irakkai avarai'?
ReplyDeleteI'm a new farmer. Planning to grow only indigenous variety vegetables. Could I know where I can get these indigenous variety vegetable seeds?
ReplyDelete