The once-thriving rice varieties, which filled the fields of Uttarakhand with their fragrance and unique flavors, are now either extinct or on the brink of disappearing. These rice strains, known for their superior taste, nutritional value, and quality, are becoming increasingly rare in the mountainous regions of the state.
At one time, Uttarakhand, specifically the Garhwal-Kumaon region, boasted over two thousand different types of rice. However, this number has drastically reduced to a mere 330 varieties today. Agricultural experts note that in the Garhwal region, several types of rice such as Dudhiya, Lambu Sathi, Bakrupa Basmati, Choriya, Kala Sathi, and Paro Basmati were once widely cultivated. Now, all of these are facing extinction.
Among the Sathi rice grown in the hilly fields, varieties like Gopiya Sathi, Chauthia Sathi, and Giruli Sathi were particularly popular, but they too have all but disappeared. The agricultural community laments the loss of these rice types, which were once cherished by farmers and consumers alike.
Seeds of many varieties are now scarce
Traditionally, rice varieties such as Nagain, Chaina, Taichaina, and Garudiya were staples in the mountainous regions. However, their seeds are now scarce, and experts fear they may vanish entirely if not protected. Agriculturalists and activists are urging the government to take steps to safeguard these traditional seeds by including them in official agricultural policies. There is a growing call for making these seeds accessible to farmers and encouraging their use.
Appeal to promote the use of traditional seeds
Vijay Jaddhari, the founder of the Beej Bachao Andolan (Save the Seeds Movement), has stressed the need for awareness programs to promote the use of traditional seeds alongside the more commonly used hybrid varieties. He believes that efforts such as the Beej Gram Yojana (Seed Village Scheme) could help restore some of these lost rice strains by educating farmers on the importance of preserving indigenous seeds.
Rice varieties extinct in Terai region
In the Terai region, rice varieties like Lal Rajmati, Doodha Bundli, and Kasturi Basmati, once common, are also on the verge of extinction. BS Kathait, a prominent figure in seed conservation, explains that these varieties, including Touliya Sathi, were popular in Garhwal’s fields but are now increasingly hard to find. Local farmers echo these concerns, reminiscing about the days when varieties like Ghaisu, Taichun, Dhanesh, and Chinakor were cultivated in abundance. Now, they say, these seeds are virtually unavailable.
Farmers have shifted to cultivating modern varieties
JP Tiwari, Chief Agriculture Officer of Chamoli, adds that in the 1960s, the hills of Uttarakhand were rich with diverse rice varieties and seeds, but they had lower productivity. Over the years, in an effort to increase yields and make farming more profitable, farmers have shifted to cultivating modern, high-yielding varieties of rice. This transition, while economically beneficial, has resulted in the gradual extinction of many traditional rice types.
The decline of these indigenous rice varieties in Uttarakhand is a sobering reminder of the fragile balance between agricultural innovation and the preservation of heritage crops. While hybrid and modern rice varieties may offer higher yields, the loss of traditional strains, with their unique flavors and nutritional benefits, represents a cultural and agricultural heritage at risk of disappearing forever.
The need for a comprehensive approach to preserving these traditional varieties is more urgent than ever. The government, agricultural experts, and local farmers must work together to ensure that these valuable rice strains are not lost to history. This requires both policy-level support and grassroots efforts to encourage the use of traditional seeds, alongside measures to safeguard and propagate their availability for future generations.
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