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.