Nayagarh: Over 50 traditional varieties of paddy have been lost in the district thanks to aggressive promotional measures taken up by the government for use of high-yielding varieties of paddy.
Agriculturists and green activists have warned it is high time the government took up measures to preserve traditional varieties of paddy. They said several patches of farmland have turned unproductive due to overuse of hybrid paddy seeds and overdose of fertilizers and pesticides.
Even farmers are opting for high-yielding seeds introduced by the government to boost productivity.
Traditional paddy varieties, that are popular for their rich aroma such as Basmati, Gangabali, Padmakeshari, Kalajiri and Masihasula were extensively cultivated in the district. However, as these varieties lacked high yielding capacity, the farmers tilted towards hybrid types to get a bumper harvest, said agriculturists Radhamohan Panda, Rabindra Patnaik and Suresh Gochchayat of the area.
The other varieties which have lost their existence included Karpurakeli, Kamalkathi, Ratanchudi, Kainchaphula, Barapanka, Nasty, Jhili, Shulia, Kanaka, Sraberi, Magura, Kalama, Bauchuli, Bakhia, Telisaberi, Haladiganthi, Mathura, Baiganmanji and Laghupakhia.
The ecologists of the locality alleged that several patches of land have become infertile due to extensive use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides, which are used to grow hybrid varieties of paddy. At present, even production of hybrid type has come down drastically due to this reason.
When contacted, district deputy director of agriculture Prasanna Kuamar Samantray said officials have no bias whatsoever against old varieties of paddy grains. Farmers are being provided with technical assistance to increase production in both the varieties. Moreover, the department is taking special measures to encourage farmers to go for traditional cultivation, he added. PNN
