Need to preserve indigenous rice varieties stressed

Taorem Biswajit
IMPHAL, Jan 11 : To achieve self-sufficiency in food production and strengthen the economy of local farmers, conserving the germplasm of indigenous paddy varieties, which are well-suited to Manipur's soil, has become increasingly essential.
Over the years, several indigenous paddy varieties have disappeared, and their popularity has declined among farmers due to the widespread availability of hybrid and high-yielding varieties brought from outside the State.
Manipur's indigenous paddy varieties are not only adapted to the State's soil and climatic conditions but also possess natural resilience against pest infestations, making them a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture in the State.
However, other than some farmers who are provided seeds of indigenous paddy varieties, most choose to plant hybrid or high-yielding paddy varieties brought from other States.
As a result, the future of Manipur's indigenous paddy varieties remains uncertain, despite efforts by the Government and research institutions such as  Indian Council of Agricultural  Research (ICAR) and Central Agricultural University (CAU), Manipur to conserve them.
Notably, the Centre enacted the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act in 2001, recognizing farmers as plant breeders and allowing them to register the paddy varieties they cultivate for conservation purposes.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, P Devkanta, president of the All Manipur Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Growers Consortium, stated that scientists worldwide consider the Indo-Myanmar region, including Manipur, to be the birthplace of paddies.
He stated that the majority of paddy varieties found in Manipur were once wild rice species that were later domesticated.
In ancient times, five wild rice species were grown in Manipur such as Wainu Chara, Wainu Chara Manbi, Mushi, Laiphou, and Jara, he said and added that these species were later cultivated by "our ancestors" and eventually became the indigenous paddy varieties.
Now, the genes of indigenous paddy varieties are being extracted scientifically  for crossbreeding to produce high-yielding rice varieties, Devkanta added.
Saying that he has been working to conserve the genome of indigenous paddy varieties since 2012, Devkanta added that he initially submitted seeds of around 300 paddy varieties found in Manipur's hills and valley districts to Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA) for registration.
He mentioned that he has received registration certificates for 120 paddy varieties including Chakhao from the PPVFRA.
Devkanta also stated that Chakhao, an indigenous paddy variety, has received global recognition.
Over 20 varieties of black Chakhao are found in Manipur, he said.
He further mentioned that varieties such as Chakhao Amubi, Chakhao Poireiton, and Langphou Chakhao have already received PPVFRA registrations.
Additionally, he said that seeds of Khurkhul Chakhao, Wairi Chakhao, Kwaktha Chakhao, Manam Nungshibi, and Wahong Chakhao have been sent to the PPVFRA for registration.
Devkanta stated that he has been providing seeds of Wairi Chakhao to farmers in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching for conservation purposes.
Saying that indigenous paddy varieties possess climate change and pest-resistant characteristics, he added that the genes of these varieties are being used to produce high-yielding rice varieties.
Devkanta added that the disappearance of these indigenous paddy varieties would be a significant loss to the agricultural sector.
He also stated that conserving the germplasm of these paddy varieties could play a crucial role in India's vision of becoming a 30 trillion dollar economy by 2047 and expressed desire for both the Government and farmers to prioritise the conservation of indigenous paddy varieties.
The story is written under the Award in Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU, Imphal. For further details, please contact Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer, CAU Imphal, at [email protected]