rice in kerala - rice knowledge management...
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RICE IN KERALA
Status Paper on Rice in Kerala
S. Leena Kumari
Professor & Head
Rice Research Station,
Monkompu, Thekkekkara P.O.
Alleppey District. Kerala 688 503
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I.NAME OF THE STATE : Kerala
II. INTRODUCTION
Kerala, the southern most state of India, occupies a unique position on the map of the country and lies
between 8018’ and 12
048’ North latitude and between 74
0 52’ and 77
0 24’ East longitude. It has a total
area of 38,855 km2. With the southernmost extremity at Parassala, about 56 km upward from the
southernmost tip of India, it stretches along the shores of Arabian Sea for a distance of about 597 km.
The breadth of the Sate varies from 32 km in the extreme north and south to over 120 km in the middle.
The State is bounded on the North and North East by South Kanara, Kudagu and Mysore districts of
Karnataka State, on the East by Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelvali districts
of Tamilnadu, on the South by Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu, and on the West by Arabian Sea. Kerala
ranks seventeenth in area among the states of India.
III. Rice production scenario: Area, Production and Productivity
Years Area (Lakh ha) Production (Lakh tonnes) Productivity (Kg)
1960-61 7.90 10.68 1371
1965-66 8.02 9.97 1243
1970-71 8.75 12.98 1483
1975-76 8.85 13.65 1540
1980-81 8.02 12.72 1590
1985-86 6.78 11.73 1730
1990-91 5.59 10.87 1940
1995-96 4.71 9.53 2023
2001-02 3.22 7.03 2182
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2002-03 3.10 6.88 2218
2003-04 2.87 5.70 1984
2004-05 2.90 6.67 2300
2005-06 2.75 6.30 2285
2006-07 2.63 6.41 2435
2007-08 2.29 5.28 2306
2008-09 2.34 5.90 2521
2009-10 2.34 6.25 2671
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics GOK
IV. Geographical indicator
a. Climate
The climate of the Sate is of the type-tropical monsoon with seasonally excessive rainfall and hot summer
except over the extremely southern district viz. Thiruvananthapuram where the climate falls under the
type-Tropical savanna with seasonally dry and hot summer weather. The year may be divided into 3
seasons. The period from March to the end of May is the hot season. This is followed by south west
monsoon season, which continues till the middle of October. From the middle of October begins the
north east monsoon season, which lasts up to the end of February although the rains associated with the
north east monsoon ceases by December. The climate is pleasant from September to February. Summer
months March to May are uncomfortable due to high temperatures and humidity. The High Ranges have
a cool and bracing climate through our the year, while the plains are hot and humid. Though the mean
temperature is only 32.20
C, it is oppressively hot in the plains in summer. The State is extremely humid
due to existence of Arabian sea in the western side.
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b. Soil type
Nine different soil types have been identified in Kerala as listed below
1. Alluvial Soil ( Spread over river Banks)
2. Sandy soil ( Coastal areas)
3. Sandy loam soil(Coastal areas)
4. Laterite soil with well defined B horizon( Natural midlands)
5. Laterite soil without B horizon( Natural highlands)
6. Red soil ( Southern- most Kerala)
7. Black Soil (Chittoor Taluk and Palakkad District)
8. Peat (Kari) soil( Kuttanad)
9. Acid saline soil( Pokkali and Kaippad area)
c. Rainfall and its distribution pattern
The average level of annual rainfall is quite high in the State, being in the neighborhood of about 2600
mm. It is significant that the Sate gets rainfall both from the south-west and the north-east monsoons.
The former starts towards the end of May or the beginning of June and fades out by September while the
latter commences in October, and continues up to middle of November and dry weather sets in by the
end of December. Among the different districts of Kerala, Palakkad receives the minimum rainfall and the
highest rainfall in the State occurs in the High Ranges of Kottayam district where it is over 3000 mm.
d. Agro-climatic zones
Kerala State has been delineated into thirteen agro climatic zones based on four parameters
viz., altitude, rainfall pattern, soil type and topography viz., 1. Onattukara, 2. Coastal Sandy
3.Southern Midlands 4.Central Midlands 5. Northern Midlands 6.Malappuram Type
7.Malayorum 8.Palakkadu plains 9. Red loam 10. Chittoor black soil 11.Kuttanadu 12.
Riverbank alluvium and 13. High ranges. The main features of these agroclimatic zones are
shown below.
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Main features of the Agro climatic Zones of Kerala
No. Zones Altitude type Rainfall
patterns
Topography
model
Soil Type
I Onattukara I I I Sandy loam
II Coastal Sandy I I I Sandy loam
III Southern Midlands I I III Laterite without B
horizon
IV Central Midlands I I & II IIa Laterite
V Northern Midlands I II IIb Laterite
VI Malappuram Type I II IIc Laterite
VII Malayorum I I III Laterite without B
VIII Palakkadu plains I II II Red loam
IX Red loam I I III Red loam
X Chittoor black soil I II IIa Black soil
XI Kuttanadu I I I Peat( kari)
XII Riverbank alluvium I I I Alluvium
XIII High ranges II I &II III Red loam
. Rice Eco Systems of Kerala
Taking into consideration topography, soil and abiotic factors and variation in resource endowments,
and reckoning the seasonal differences in which rice is grown in the state, eight significant agro-
ecosystems are identified as detailed below(Nair, 2000).
a. Midland and Malayorum ecosystems
The most predominant system is the viruppu-mundakan sequence practiced on irruppu
niloms covering the midlands and the malayoram agro-ecological zone. Viruppu crop on these
lands is largely a rainfed crop grown during the South West Monsoon. Generally starting as a
dry broadcast crop it ends up in wet conditions. The varieties grown have such plasticity that
they are conditioned to growth under a wide spectrum of moisture regimes from moist seedbed
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to standing water. Mundakan (winter) crop is generally a transplanted crop (Broadcasting with
sprouted seed is also practised especially where water is assured) in which rice plant grows
throughout under continuous wet conditions. The fag end of the crop might be subjected to
moisture stress in some areas if the northeast monsoon tapers off suddenly. Most of the
growing period is spent during the northeast monsoon rainfall.
b. Palakkadu plains and Chittoor black soil agro-ecosystem.
Another major chunk of double-cropped land is the irrigated project commands predominantly
the eastern taluks of Palakkadu and Periyar valley command in the Ernakulam district. Prior to the
commissioning of the irrigation projects, these were the traditional iruppu and oruppu lands. The main
difference between the rainfed and the irrigated practice is that in the latter the viruppu season
commences only after the onset of the southwest monsoon (in June) and crop is established through
transplanting instead of dry broadcasting. The crop is of medium duration. Commencement of
mundakan season is delayed to October-November and continues to be a transplanted crop. Longer
duration varieties are preferred under the irrigated system.
c. Kuttanadu agro-ecosystem
A unique system of rice production is practiced in the rice bowl of the state: the Kuttanadu in
Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and kole land in Thrissur district. Being low-lying estuarine lands, these
areas are subjected to floods during the two monsoons and salinity intrusion during post monsoon
periods. Soon after the northeast monsoon ends in November, bunds (dykes) are raised. Pumping out
the water drains these ‘polders,’ sowing is then done wet with sprouted seeds. The growing period is
midway between mundakan and summer. Sown in November- December, the crop is harvested in March
- April. As the fields are generally below sea level, water from the bordering canal system is drawn by
gravity flow and used for irrigation. In some parts an additional crop is taken during autumn or virippu
which is sown dry broadcast or wet sown just prior to the onset of monsoon.
d.Pokkali agro-ecosystem
In areas that are subjected to tidal action and hence the soil is saline, a crop of rice is grown
during viruppu taking advantage of the heavy southwest monsoon by a system of flushing out the salt
from the land. The system is known as pokkali in central Kerala and kaipaatu in north Kerala. After the
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harvest of the virippu crop, prawn culture is practiced making use of the tidal flow during the ebb and
floods.
e. Onattukara agro-eco system
Here two crops of paddy is raised followed by pulse crop or oil seeds. Both the paddy crops –
Virippu and Mundakan are purely rainfed crops. The soil is sandy textured. It extends in Alappuzha &
Quilon districts.
f. High range agro-ecosystem
The low temperature regime generally prevailing in the high ranges limits the time available for
rice production in this area. Only one crop extending to both the southwest and the northwest
monsoons is practicable. Paddy production in the high ranges is mainly taking place in the Wayanad
plateau where the valley bottoms are relatively broad and extensive. Predominantly it is transplanted
crop, commencing in July and harvested in December.
VI. Rice production and economic analysis
Rice forms the staple food of the people of Kerala and contributes a major share towards its economy. It
is grown in a vast array of ecological niches, ranging from regions situated 3 meters below MSL level as in
Kuttanadu to an altitude of 1400 m as in the high ranges. It is cultivated under 3 to 4 meters depth of
water as well as in purely rainfed uplands with no standing water. Probably nowhere else in the world,
rice crop is cultivated under such a diversity of conditions.
Kerala is a deficient state in rice production. While the estimated requirement of rice for the state is 35-
40 lakhs t/year, it produces less than one-fifth of its requirement. The deficit in rice production is
increasing year after year due to reduction in rice area arising out of the large scale conversion of paddy
lands for raising other crops or for residential purposes. The area under rice cultivation shows a
decreasing trend especially from 1994-1995. The area under rice cultivation which was in its peak during
mid seventies dwindled to 4.71 lakh ha by 1995-'96 and 2.87 lakh ha by 2003-04. The total rice
production of 12.8 lakh tonnes in 1980-81 had come down to 10.86 lakh tonnes in 1990-91 and 5.70 lakh
tonnes by 2003-04. During this period, the share of rice in the total cropped area also showed a steep
decline ie, from 33.2 percent in 1960-61 to 12.01 percent in 2003-04. The situation slightly changed after
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2006-07 over the ,last two years mainly due to the concerted effort of the Government At present , rice
is grown in a gross area of 2.34 lakh ha producing 6.25 lakh tonnes with a productivity of 2671 kg.
VII. Rice and rice based cropping systems – zone-wise
Sl. No. Zones Cropping patterns
1 Onattukara Rice- Rice- Legumes/ Rice- Rice – Sesame/ Rice – Rice-
Vegetables, Rie- Rice- fallow
2 Coastal Sandy Rice – Prawn/ Rice- fallow
3 Southern Midlands Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables, Fallow-
Rice – fallow
4 Central Midlands Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
5 Northern Midlands Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
6 Malappuram Type Rice – Rice- Vegetables
7 Malayorum Rice – Rice- Vegetables
8 Palakkadu plains Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
9 Red loam Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
10 Chittoor black soil Rice- Rice- Legumes
11 Kuttanadu Rice- Rice- water fallow Rice- Fish
12 Riverbank alluvium Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
13 High ranges Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice – Rice- Vegetables
VIII. Rice growing seasons and regions
There are three main rice-growing seasons in Kerala. They are: (a) Virippu season/ Autumn
season/ First crop season which starts in April-May and extends up to September-October, (b) Mundakan
season/ Winter season/ Second crop season which starts in September-October and extends up to
December- January, and (c) Puncha season / Summer season/Third crop season which starts in
December-January and extends up to March-April.
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In Kuttanad and Kole areas, the puncha season starts in October and ends in January- February.
Similarly, The first crop season of Wayanad called nancha starts only in June- July and may go up to
November after which a second crop is taken which corresponds with the puncha of other areas. The
traditional rice varieties grown during the different seasons were also named accordingly. For example,
first crop varieties were also known as virippu varieties, second crop varieties (mainly photosensitive
varieties) as mundakan varieties and third crop varieties as puncha varieties.
IX. Recommended package of practices
a. Rice varieties suited for different situations
System / Region/
Situation
Season Varieties
High yielding Varieties
Upland
(Modan land)
Purely rainfed
First crop
Suvarnamodan, Annapoorna, Rohini, Swarnaprabha, Aiswarya, Uma,
Vaisakh
Palliyals (Myals)
Single crop
terraced
First crop
Early duration: Rohini, Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Kairali,
Kanchana, Harsha, Karthika, Ahalya
Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Aiswarya,
Aathira, Uma
Double crop
wet lands :
a. Semi-dry
First crop
Early duration: Mattatriveni, Annapurna, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Ahalya, Varsha, Rohini, Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Revathy, Remanika,
Krishnanjana, Kanchana, Harsha, Kairali, Kunjukunju Varna, Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Arathy,
Bhadra, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Ranjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma,
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cultivation Gouri, Aathira, Aiswarya
Second crop Any of the varieties suggested for the first crop seasons (except Rohini)
b. Transplanted First crop
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Revathy, Remanika,
Krishnanjana, Varsha, Rohini, Ahalya, Kunjukunju Varna, Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Mahsuri, Aathira,
Aiswarya, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami,
Uma, Gouri.
Late duration: Mangalamahsuri
Second crop
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Kairali, Kanchana,
Karthika, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana Kunjukunju Varna,
Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Aathira,
Aiswarya, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami,
Uma
Late duration: Mangalamahsuri, Pranava, Swetha, Karuna, , Makaram,
Khumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam
Third crop
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana,
Ahalya, Harsha, Varsha
Medium duration: Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Aathira, Aiswarya, Pavizham,
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Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri.
Kuttanad area Puncha
Early duration: Karthika, Makom, Jyothy, Mattatriveni, Annapurna,
Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Bhadra, Asha, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Jaya,
Sabari, Bharathy, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri
Additional
crop
Early duration: Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Annapurna, Jyothy,
Mattatriveni, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Remya, Kanakom, Jaya, Sabari, Renjini, Pavithra,
Panchami, Uma, Gouri.
Kole area Mundakan
Extra short duration: Hraswa
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Kanchana, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana,
Ahalya, Varsha
Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Pavizham, Remya,
Kanakom, Jaya, Aiswarya, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Bhadra
Pokkali Virippu Vytilla 1, Vytilla 2, Vytilla 3, Vytilla 4, Vytilla5, Vytilla 6, Vytilla 7 , and
Vytilla 8
Kaipad Virippu Ezhome -1, Ezhome -2
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Koottu-mundakan Virippu+
Mundakan
Swarnaprabha+ Makaram, Swarnaprabha+ Kumbham
Karthika+ Makaram, Karthika+Kumbham
Scented rice Nanja Pusa basmati 1, Pusa Sugandh
Mundakan Pusa basmati 1, Pusa Sugandh
Deep ill-drained
regions of
southern districts
First crop Remya, Arathy
Second crop Makaram, Kumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam, Mangalamahsuri
Waterlogged and
flooded areas First crop
IR-5, Pankaj, Jagannath, H4, Mahsuri, Neeraja, Mangalamahsuri,
Ezhome-2
Oorumundakan Second crop Sagara
Onattukara and
coastal sandy
areas
First crop
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Bhagya, Rohini, Onam,
Chingam, Aruna, Makom, Karthika, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana,
Prathyaasa
Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Pavizham, Remya,
Kanakom, Arathy, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri.
Second crop
Early Duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Makom, Jyothy, Karthika,
Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana
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Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathi, Pavizham, Remya,
Kanakom, Dhanya (season bound), Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma,
Gouri.
Third crop
Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Rohini, Makom, Revathi, Remanika,
Krishnanjana.
Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Pavizham, Remya,
Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri.
Poonthalpadam
( Paalakkad)
Neeraja, Ponmani,Pranava
High altitude area:
a. Single crop
areas
Jaya, Sabari, Mahsuri, Bhadra, IR 8, Aathira, Uma
b. Double crop
areas First crop Aswathy, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy. Bhadra, Deepthi, Aathira, IR 8
Second crop Aswathy, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Bhadra, Deepthi, Aathira, IR 8
c. Eastern lateritic
regions of Kollam
& Alappuzha
districts
Second crop Makaram, Kumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam
Chitoor black soil First crop ASD 16, ASD 17, Mahsuri, Varsha, ADT 43, Uma
Second crop Ponni, Vellaponni, Ponmani, ASD 16, ASD 17, Pranava, Swetha, Bhadra,
Renjini.
Source: KAU 2007
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b. Most popular rice varieties / hybrids of the state
The most populr rice variety of the State is Uma ( MO.16) developed by Rice Research Station,
Moncompu followed by Jyothi, developed from Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi. The
other varieties popular in the State in the order of their preference are Aiswarya, Kanchana, Aathira,
Matta Triveni, Harsha, Vaisagh, Bhadra, Krishnanjana, Makom, Gouri etc.
X. Traditional cultivars varieties grown if any, in the state.
a. Germplasm Resources
Taking into consideration the variation in resource endowments, topography, soil, abiotic factors and
seasonal differences, rice grown in the state are grouped under eight different agro eco systems. The
natural and artificial selections operating in these areas over long periods of time have resulted in a large
number of traditional varieties suited to each region and possessing special traits like resistance to biotic
and abiotic stresses, ability to survive extreme agro-edaphic situations, quality attributes like medicinal
value, aroma and suitability to special purposes which constitute an invaluable reservoir of genes that
are used by plant breeders for development of superior crop varieties.
The local land races grown in different agro climatic regions of Kerala differ for a range of characters
including crop duration, plant height, tillering, pigmentation of various plant parts, panicle characters,
grain characters as well as grain and straw production. There are photo insensitive varieties and
photosensitive varieties maturing in 60-260 days. Tremendous variation exists for grain characters viz.,
grain color, grain shape , grain size, kernel color, aroma, puffing, popping, flattening, cooking and eating
qualities. The latter reflect varietal preferences for different traditional food preparations.. Grain color
itself varies from straw to gold to brown tinges to complete brown and to black . The grain size varies
from round to short bold to long bold to long slender with long bold red kernelled grains being mostly
preferred by the local farmers. It is supposed that near about two thousand traditional varieties which
were well suited for different agro climatic situations and seasons of rice cultivation were predominantly
cultivated in Kerala. They include varieties possessing resistant genes against biotic and abiotic stresses,
rice varieties which were locally used as medicine or as ingredients in medical preparations, and scented
rice varieties which differ from the scented "Basmathi" rice with respect to growth habits as well as
physico-chemical properties of the grains .
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c. Medicinal value
Though the bulk of the wide variability in medicinal rices grown in Kerala are lost, some rice
varieties are still grown by farmers for their medicinal properties, which include Njavara, Chennellu,
Kunjinellu, Erumakkari, Karuthachembavu and Kavunginpoothala (Leena Kumary, 2004). The medicinal
property of these rice varieties have to be validated by clinical studies, but traditional knowledge
associated with these varieties substantiate their use either as medicine or as ingredient in medicinal
preparations. Njavara, is the unique medicinal rice variety from Kerala deserves special mention in this
regard. This variety is known as "Shashtikam" in Sanskrit due to its extra short duration, coming to
harvest within 60-70 days. Indigenous medicinal preparation using Njavara along with Kurunthotti
("Sida") rejuvenates the muscles and nerves. Two types of Njavara have been identified, the white
glumed and black glumed, both of which are used in Ayurvedic treatments. Chennellu and Kunjinellu
are varieties indigenous to North Kerala. One type of Chennellu with bright red grains, grown as an
upland variety in parts of Kannur district is used in treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting. Another type of
Chennellu with straw coloured grains is grown in wet lands in Wayanad district. Kunjinellu is a variant of
red coloured Chennellu, with small red grains and is given to patients recovering from jaundice.
Erumakkari and Karuthachembavu are the traditional rice varieties indigenous to South Kerala.
Karuthachambavu has black grains, blackish red kernels and black endosperm. The gruel made by the
poached grains of Karuthachambavu is used to treat nausea, vomiting and stomach pains. Erumakkari
was used for treatment of cough. Annoori, a wild species of rice is used by the kani tribes for treatment
of small pox. Kavunginpoothala indigenous to Palakkad District is given to diabetic patients to reduce
discomfort (Leena Kumary,.2004)
XI. Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs) specific to the state
Kerala is well known for the rich genetic diversity of the traditional rice varieties grown in various
seasons and in different agro-climatic conditions which includes many medicinal rices also. The
indigenous medicinal rices are used either as medicine or as ingredients in medicinal preparations on a
limited scle The traditional knowledge associated with the medicinal rices are tabulated below.
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Sl.
No.
Variety Traditional use as medicine
1 Njavara The grains are sweet, acrid, oleaginous, aphrodisiac, diuretic,
carminative, anti-dysenteric and tonic
The roots of this rice are said to be cooling, diuretic and febrifuge and
are useful in burning sensation, dyspepsia, bilious fever and diabetes.
Regular consumption of Njavara rice gruel cooked in cow’s milk ensures
longevity and increase milk flow in lactating mothers.
Njavara rice is recommended for acute complaints of piles and for
diabetic patients.
Considered as a safe food for snake-bitten patients and people with
stomach ulcer.
Application of Njavara rice paste is found effective for swelling in foot,
reduces pain of snake bites
Used as a healthy baby food
2 Chennellu Used in treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting.
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3 Kunjinellu Given to patients recovering from jaundice.
4 Erumakkari Used for treatment of cough in humans and also for some diseases of
cattle
5 Karuthachambavu The gruel made by the poached grains is used to treat nausea, vomiting
and stomach pains.
6 Kavunginpoothala Recommended for diabetic patients
7 Varinellu Used by the tribal folk for treatment of small pox
Njavara, the unique medicinal rice of Kerala is put to a number of clinical uses also, which
is well documented in the ancient ayurvedic literature, and a few of them are mentioned below. Njavara
rice is used in Ayurveda for treatment of paralytic conditions and muscle wasting. It increases the growth
of muscles and stimulates the nerve endings. Ashtangahridayakara advises every one to take Njavara rice
during the time of pathyacharana (observing strict time-schedule and keeping special rules and regimen
normally after undergoing ayurvedic treatments, especially the Panchakarma). This has a wide range of
benefits including aphrodisiac. The oil prepared out of Njavara rice is used for a wide range of aches and
painful conditions like the cervical spondylosis, low back ache, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis (in some
stages) etc.
The most important use of Njavara is in Njavarakizhi in which Njavara rice is the base. Oleation to
head and body using special cloth pieces containing a smooth paste of Njavara rice cooked in Sida ( Sida
rectusa. Lin) decoction and milk, makes the body supple, removes stiffness of joints due to various
vitiated Vatha dominant conditions, cleans the body channels, and brings about better blood circulation.
It improves complexion, increases appetite, improves digestion, restores relish for food, and corrects the
mental irregularities. This makes the body strong and steady, rejuvenated with well-developed
musculature. Judicious application of this is very effective in hypertension, skin diseases and prevents
premature ageing.
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XII. Institutes involved in rice development in the state and their contribution
The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established in 1972 and the agricultural research
institutions that were administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry until then
were transferred the KAU in 1972. Since then, the agricultural research organization has been
restructured for accelerated development of agriculture in the State. In 1981, under the National
Agricultural Research Project ( NARP), the rice research activities were again re oriented to conduct
location specific production oriented research based on agro-climatic regions. Accordingly, five Regional
Agricultural Research Stations for the North, South and Central, High range and Special zones started
functioning. At present, rice research is being conducted at the following research stations to cater the
needs of the different zones (KAU,1989)
• Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi in Plalakkad district for the development of
laterite midlands. Here research is going on for the Palakkattu plains and black soil zone of
Chittoor taluk in the eastern region of Palakkad District also
• Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. The lead function of
the station is to conduct research on rice and rice based farming system for the Onattukara
region. Here research is going on in paddy, pulses and oil seeds.
• Rice Research Station at Moncompu in Alleppey district for Kuttanad zone to conduct research on
all aspects of rice cultivation in the submerged Kayal and semi dry Karappadom lands of
Kuttanadu agro eco system.
• Agricultural Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal in Wayanad district to cater to
the needs of high range zone.
• Research Station at Mannuthy in Thrissur district to cater to the needs of the Kole region
• Rice Research Station at Vytilla in Ernakulam district for the development of Pokkali zone.
Contribution of the Institutes towards rice farming in Kerala :Varieties developed through
improvement of local varieties.
The earlier attempts for rice improvement before the advent of green revolution were largely
concentrated on improving the local varieties through selection. Thirty five rice varieties with the prefix
‘PTB’ were released from Pattambi, three ‘MO’ varieties from Moncompu , three ‘VTL’ varieties from
Vytilla , four from Kayamkulam ( two KYLM and two KTR varieties) and two from Ambalawayal ( WND)
have all been developed either through mass selection or pure line selection of traditional varieties which
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were popular in the respective regions. Bred for yield improvement over their local progenitors, these
varieties combine high yield as well as the special traits of their parents like resistance to pests and
diseases, quality attributes, physiological attributes, adaptability to different ecological situations and
systems of cultivation. These varieties are internationally acclaimed for their performance and also act as
genetic materials profusely used in crop improvement programmes world over.For eg., PTB 7
(Parambuvattan ) is resistant to foot rot and gall midge. PTB 10 (Thekkancheera ), an early duration,
photoinsensitive variety which shows good combining ability and is the parent for most of the varieties
released nationally and internationally . It is popular in foreign countries like Myanmar, Srilanka, Pakistan,
South East Asian countries and in USA.. PTB12 (Chitteni) and 29 (Karuthamodan) are Bacterial Blight
resistant varieties. PTB15 and 16 (Kavunginpoothala) are flood tolerant varieties and are good for making
pearl rice. PTB 18 is good for beaten rice. PTB18 (Eravapandy) and PTB 21 (Thekkan) are multiple
resistant varieties. PTB 18,19, 21 and 33 (Arikkirai) show resistance to BPH. PTB2, 8, 9, 20,21,23 and 28
have good milling and cooking qualities. PTB 27 (Kodiyan), 28 (Kattamoden) and 32 (Arervakari) are gall
midge resistant varieties. PTB 23 possesses high protein content ( 12.6%). PTB 28 (Kattamodern) PTB 29
(Karuthamodan) PTB 30 (Chuvannamoodan) and PTB 42 (Suvarnamodan) are upland varieties. WND 1
and WND 2 are suitable for cultivation in high altitude regions as in Wayanad. Kottarakkara 1 is
recommended for water logged deep laterite soils. Pokkali varieties VTL 1 and VTL 2 are tolerant to
salinity and acidity. Their rice is reported to be in demand in foreign countries for making soup. MO. 1
(Chettivirippu) and MO. 2 ( Kallada champavu) are resistant to grain shattering while MO. 3 (
Kunjathikkira) is acid tolerant. UR 110 and Sagara ( KYLM 5) are suitable for growing in waterlogged
marshy areas subjected to saline water intrusion during Mundakan season. Mangala Mahsuri (PTB 53)
tolerates iron toxicity and shallow flooding.
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High yielding rice varieties
With the advent of 'Green Revolution', efforts to develop high yielding, dwarf, fertilizer
responsive varieties of rice suitable for Kerala was started at Pattambi. Hybridisation work was taken up
between the traditional varieties of the state and high yielding varieties like DGWG, IR 8, T (N) 1 etc to
transfer the dwarf genes to traditional varieties. The first hybrid derivative, Annapoorna (PTB35), the
first high yielding, early, dwarf rice for South East Asia was released in India in 1966, the same year in
which IRRI released the variety IR 8. This was widely adopted with the known management practices for
raising high yielding varieties with respect to the fertilizer application, use of pesticides etc. This brought
about a great revolution in total rice production scenario of the state with an average yield of nearly
5t/ha. This was followed by a series of varieties like Rohini, Aswathy, Triveni, Jyothi, Bharathy, Sabari and
Suvarnamodan. The rice variety Jyothi released in 1974 still continues to be the prominent variety in
Kerala due its good cooking quality and is also grown in other States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc.
The variety Rohini has a high protein content ( > 12%) and is considered good for diabetic patients.
Efforts to develop desirable mutants of the traditional tall indicas of Kerala were initiated in the
Kerala Agricultural University during early seventies. The traditional tall varieties were subjected to
irradiation at varying doses to change the plant type without disturbing other important characters viz
adaptability to varying agro-ecological conditions, resistance / tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and
red kernel colour. An awnless, early maturing (10-15 days early) mutant was isolated in the M2
generation of the gamma (γ) ray treated population of Oorpandy, the long awned saline resistant local
variety of Ernakulam district in Kerala. Based on the performance of this line in station trials and farm
trials, it was released as Rasmi in 1985. The variety is resistant to gall midge, BPH and blast and is used as
a donor for multiple resistance in the rice breeding programmes at the national level. Dwarf mutants of
MO1, a selection from Chettivirippu, the tall indica variety of the coastal region of Kerala, obtained in the
M5 generation were tested for yield in the research stations under the Kerala Agricultural University. The
most efficient mutant among these viz ., Cul. MO. I. 20- 19- 4, which had profuse tillers and high grain
yield was released for general cultivation as Remanika in 1998. It exhibits high resistance to BPH and
moderate resistance to diseases like sheath blight, sheath rot and pests like gall midge, the major biotic
stresses for rice in Kerala
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Induced mutagenesis of improved traditional rice varieties like Oorpandy, PTB 1 (Aryan), PTB 7
(Parambuvattan), PTB 9 (Thavalakkannan) PTB 10 (Thekkancheera), PTB 20 ( Vadakkan Chitteni ) etc. also
yielded mutants with grain yield comparable to the parents, but possessing high genetic variability for
morphological and physiological attributes. These mutants have been used as parents in the
hybridisation programmes in the University and several varieties viz Harsha ( PTB 55), Varsha ( PTB 56),
Chingam ( KYLM 6) and Gouri ( MO.20)have been developed and released for general cultivation in the
state.
Rice varieties with resistance to Biotic stresses
Introduction of varieties like T(N) 1, IR 8 etc, which were high yielding but susceptible to the
pests and diseases of tropical region resulted in an outbreak of pests, mainly Brown plant hopper (Bph).
The crop improvement programmes of the University were re oriented giving emphasis to
development of varieties with built in resistance tobiotic stresses. In 1978, the first high yielding rice
variety from Moncompu viz., MO4 (Bhadra) possessing resistance to brown plant hopper was released
through hybridisation and selection. From the breeding programmes at Pattambi, some multiple resistant
cultures viz., Cul. 1686 and Cul. 1727 which showed better resistance to pests and diseases were further
evaluated and Cul. 1727 was released as Jayathi in 1992 . This was followed by the development and
release of varieties like Aruna, Makom, Kanakom from RRS, Moncompu and Onam and Bhagya from
RRS, Kayamkulam
Realising the importance of multiple resistant rice varieties in IPM, efforts were taken up by the
different rice research stations under the Kerala Agricultural University in this regard. In 1993, Regional
Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi came out with four multiple resistant rice varieties viz., Kairaly,
Kanchana, Aathira and Aiswaya. This was followed by Mangala Mahsuri and Karuna in 1998 possessing
resistance both biotic and abiotic stresses so as to cater the diverse needs of the farmers of the central
zone of Kerala comprising of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malppuram districts of Kerala.
In Kuttanad gall midge attack appeared sporadically during the eighties and a severe incidence
occurred in 1990 and later in 1996, damaging the rice crop in about 30,000 ha and bringing about a loss
of Rs. Eight crores. The strain of gall midge was identified as GM Biotype 5. Research efforts were
initiated at Rice Research Station, Moncompu in the eighties itself which resulted in the development of
three gall midge resistant varieties and the timely release of these varieties viz, Uma, Pavithra and
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Panchami in 1998 could combat the problem of Gall midge to a great extent in Kuttanad. Another major
problem of rice cultivation in Kuttanad viz., Blast disease was brought under control with the
development of Renjini with blast resistance which was also released from RRS Moncompu. During
2002, another rice variety ‘Gouri’ which is moderately resistant to sheath blight was released from Rice
Research Station, Moncompu, followed by Prathyasa, a short duration rice variety for the double cropped
wet lands of Kuttanad during 2009.
Rice varieties resistant to abiotic stresses
Programmes to evolve varieties with resistance or tolerance to abiotic stresses viz., flood, cold,
drought, salinity, soil problems like acidity, alkalinity and sulphide injury etc. were also under-taken by
the Kerala Agricultural University. Breeding for Flood tolerance has resulted in the identification and
release of one flood tolerant high yielding variety BR 51-315-4 christened Neeraja in 1992 from RARS,
Pattambi and two varieties from Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam viz, Makaram & Kumbham which
are photosensitive long duration varieties, evolved through pure line selection from the local cultivar
“Cheradi”. Two dwarf, white riced cultures, viz., Cul 745 and Cul 796 with 160-165 days duration giving
good germination under low temperature were identified at RARS, Pattambi .
Rice varieties for the Khariff season of Palakkad and Onattukara in Kerala needed drought
resistance since the seeds are dry sown with the receipt of pre monsoon showers and the seedlings
suffer water scarcity for almost a month before regular monsoon starts. Breeding work at RARS, Pattambi
and Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam has identified two rice varieties
‘Harsha’ for Palakkad and ‘Chingam’ for Onattukara respectively.
Breeding programmes for salinity resistance is carried out at mainly at Vytilla and some initial
works were carried out at RARS, Pattambi and RRS, Kayamkulam also. From RRS, Vytilla, eight rice
varieties viz., Vytilla 1 to Vytilla 8 with resistance to salinity have been released so far. From Rice
Research Station, Kayamkulam, one variety “Sagara” which is a Pure line selection from the traditional
variety Orumundakan was released for cultivation in the saline areas of Karthikappally taluk of Kerala.
Soil problems like acidity, alkalinity and sulphide injury were limiting rice production in the ‘Kari’
areas of Kerala viz., Karumady, Purakkad etc. and breeding works were initiated at RRS, Moncompu
during 1984 to develop rice varieties which can tolerate such soil problems. Two rice varieties viz.,
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Karishma and Krihnanjana were released during 1998 which can tolerate acidity and sulphide injury and
can give moderate levels of yield to farmers.
XIII Constraints in rice production
a. Biotic stress - Insects, Diseases, Nematodes, rodents, and weeds.
Kerala is a hot spot for pests and diseases. The high humidity and temperature of the rice
growing environments during the cropping periods increases the incidence of pests and
diseases. Major insect pests include BPH, Stem borer, Gall midge, leaf roller and rice bug and
minor pests include thrips, case worm, blue beetle, whorl maggot etc. The minor pests are
slowly emerging as major pests threatening rice cultivation in the State.
Fungal diseases like Blast, Sheath blight, Sheath rot, Brown spot, False smut, Leaf scald and grain
discoloration, Bacterial diseases like bacterial leaf blight, and viral diseases like Rice Tungro
Virus, Grassy Stunt Virus etc. cause severe damage to rice crop in Kerala.
Rodents cause almost 25-30 % crop loss in rice in Kuttanad. The major spp. found in Kuttanad rice fields
are Bandicota bengalensis, Tatera indica, and Bandicota indica .
The major weeds of Kerala are Alternanthera, Aeschynomene , Cleome sp., Cyperus sp.,
Echinochloa sp.(Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli and Echinochloa glabrascence),
Eichornea, Fimbristylis miliaceae, Grangea maderaspatana ,Hydrolea, Monochoria, , Lindernia,
Ludwigia parviflora, Oldenlandia, Phyllanthus, Salvinia, Sphaeranthus indicus ,Sphenoclea
zeylanica, Wild rice etc. Of this, Cyperus sp. is the most abundant weed sp. present in all the
rice growing tracts of Kerala and Grangea maderaspatana is observed mainly in the kole lands of
Kerala .
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b. Abiotic stress – Temperature, cold, drought, water logging, sodic, saline problems.
Salinity
Kerala with its long coastal line of about 580 km has several lagoons or backwaters covering a
very large area linked to the sea. In most of the coastal land, deltaic areas at river mouths and
reclaimed backwaters are either at sea level or 1.0 to 1.5 m below MSL. This leads to intrusion of
sea water upto a distance of 10 to 20 km upstream during high tides. These periodically saline
water inundated lands constitute the major saline soil areas of the State covering an area of
30,000 ha.
Zinc and Copper deficiency
Zinc deficiency is noticed in 30% of Kuttanad area (approx. 9000 ha). Copper deficiency is
noticed in 21% of the Kuttanad area ( approx 6300 ha).
Calcium and Magnesium deficiency
Calcium deficiency is noticed in 30 % of Kuttanad area (approx. 9000 ha). Magnesium deficiency
is noticed in 16 % of Kuttanad area (approx. 4800 ha).
Cold
In High ranges, cold stress is experienced in Winter which coincides with the Punja crop.
Drought
In Palakkad and Onattukara ecosystems, drought is a stress limiting rice production in Kharif
season. Drought is also experienced during the fag end of Rabi season in Eastern Palakkad,
where maximum area is under irrigation and water shortage is experienced during summer
months.
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Flash floods and saline water intrusion in the coastal areas and Kuttanad, drought in Palakkad and
Onattukara, and soil problems including acidity, iron toxicity, sulphide injury etc. in the Kari soils are the
major abiotic stresses limiting rice production in the state
Economics of rice production in the state
Rice is a socially and politically important crop of Kerala. The wet humid tropical climate of Kerala is
conducive to the cultivation of rice and traditionally rice occupied a prime position in Kerala’s agriculture
However, area under rice has been declining over the years, with a possibility of extinction of rice farming
in the state. The livelihood security of the rural agrarian population revolving around rice farming is in
danger. The employment opportunities in this sector, especially for women are declining at a rapid rate.
It has become important to sustain and promote rice cultivation by promoting the multiple livelihood
opportunities linked with rice farming, among the socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
Escalating cost of production is weaning away rice farmers from cultivation. Rice being a labour
intensive crop, apprehensions of agricultural labourers on area conversion are also not unfounded. The
plight of an estimated 50 lakh bovine population of the state can be at stake since paddy straw is their
only source of sustenance. Environmental and ecological implications of large scale area conversion from
rice can be disturbing. For example, in 1975, Kerala’s rice production of 13.5 lakh tons was over 50 per
cent of her consumption requirement. By 2010 the consumption production gap has increased to 84 per
cent. As rice remains the staple food, food security of the state is at stake and dependency on other
States for our staple food is increasing dangerously. Employment prospects of agricultural labourers are
becoming bleak.
The requirement of human labour for rice cultivation is very high in Kerala ie., around 148 man days
constituting more than 70% of the total cost. A study on the decennial changes in the structure of cost
of cultivation per ha. of rice in Kuttanad showed that between 1988 and 1998, share of expenditure on
human labour increased substantially from 42 per cent to 61 per cent and has still increased during 2003-
04. A census on agricultural labourers shows marginal increase, but the fact is that the number of
labourers is also dwindling. There have been reports that average age of women agricultural labour
force in the rice bowls of the state is above 60. This has eroded the efficiency of labour.
The average cost of rice production is highest in Kerala when compared o other States.
As per the latest report of the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices. Government of
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India, the cost of production per ha in Kerala is Rs. 20224 , while the production/ha is only 38.78
quintals. Now with increase in support prices, there is a renewed interest in rice cultivation in
the state
XVII. Strategies and modern techniques to enhance rice production
New strategies need be formulated for achieving the production target of 12 lakh tones during 2008-
09, both through area expansion as well as productivity enhancement. Measures will also be taken to
augment the income from rice based farming to attract more farmers to rice cultivation.
a. Area expansion
Intensive efforts will be taken to arrest further conversion of paddy lands so as to retain the
existing paddy area and at the same time, bring more fallow land under cultivation, promote
lease land cultivation and also convert sizable area from single crop to double crop and double
to triple crop. The programme envisages to enhance the existing area of 2.63 lakh ha to 3.0
lakh ha in a phased manner through
1. Bringing additional area under paddy by cultivating paddy in cultivable fallow lands
2. Increasing upland rice cultivation
b. Productivity enhancement
The current productivity of 2.30/ha has to be increased to 4.0 t/ha so as to achieve the production
target of 12.0 t from 3.0 lakh ha. This increased productivity could be achieved through popularization
of high yielding rice varieties and rice hybrids in larger areas and promotion of scientific rice farming
through group approach in a participatory mode. The programmes envisaged for increasing productivity
of rice in Kerala include
1. Revitalizing Group farming Programme
2. Constitution of farm advisory service for each district
3. Popularization of High Yielding Varieties of rice
4. Integrated nutrient management based on soil test data
5. Organizing frontline demonstrations for maximizing profitability of rice
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6. Production, multiplication and distribution of quality seed to ensure supply of right seeds
in the right quantity at the right time.
7. Integrated Pest Management
8. Encouraging farm mechanization
9. Minimising Post harvest loss
10. Strengthening the Kerala State Seed Development Authority
11. Strengthening of Paddy Development Agencies and other agencies involved in Rice
cultivation in Kerala
12. Providing interest free loan to rice farmers at the start of the season
13. Insurance to paddy crop against natural calamities
c. Augmenting income from rice based farming
Rice farming has to be made more remunerative to attract more farmers for which
measures to augment income from rice based farming has to be formulated. The
programmes envisaged under this programme include
1. Providing supplementary income to rice farmers
2. Popularization of Organic rice and ethnic special rice varieties
3. Integrated rice-fish culture
XVIII. Conclusion and way forward
Food grain production is becoming a matter of concern for India as a whole and Kerala in
particular. Rice is the staple food of malayalees and as Kerala‘s population continues to grow
steadily, demand for rice is also growing. It is only past history that the former princely State of
Travancore, a constituent of the present Kerala, had made great progress in providing food
security for its people and was also exporting rice till the middle of the last century. The food
scene in Kerala is turning grim as factors ranging from global to local accelerate the scarcity and
price hike of food grains. Our land and water resources are declining and we have been
experiencing shortage of our main food grain- rice- even for own consumption at least from the
beginning of the present century. The challenge facing our Government for the next few years
will be to feed the escalating population, keeping the prices low to benefit poor consumers and
reducing production costs to benefit poor growers. To feed a population of 3.2 crores, Kerala
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has to produce approximately 38- 40 lakh tones of food grains every year at the minimum per
capita food availability of 320 g , while the actual production is only around 6 lakh tones, less
than 1/6th
of the requirement. In other words, 84 % of the food grain required for Kerala comes
from neighboring states.
The gap between demand and supply of rice which was around fifty percent till the mid
seventies was widening every year as the area under rice declined at a very fast rate due to large
scale conversion of paddy lands for raising other cash crops such as coconut, rubber, banana,
etc. or for residential purposes. Since the mid seventies, area under rice in Kerala has been
declining continuously. In 1970-71 the gross area under paddy was 8.75 lakh ha. This came
down to 2.29 lakhs ha in 2007-08. An examination of the data on area and production in rice in
Kerala during the last three decades shows that there is decline to the tune of 73.6 % in rice
area with a corresponding decrease of 54.2 % in production. At present, rice is grown in a
gross area of 2.34 lakh ha producing 6.25 lakh tonnes with a productivity of 2671 kg.
With the gap between production and requirement of food grain widening every year, Kerala’s food
scene is turning gloomy. The steeping increase in food prices indicates the state’s large dependence on
other states and an urgent need of a mechanism to face the imminent food crisis. While keeping rice
prices low remains in the best interests of poverty reduction, it can hurt poor rice growers in rural areas
where the size of land holdings are small and rice farming is the main source of employment to the
family. Rice related policies need to take into account the possible impacts- positive and negative – on
those who depend on rice as a source of food as well as income. Hence increasing rice production while
keeping production costs low should the first step in reducing poverty especially in rural areas.
Among the strategies for increasing rice production in the State, area expansion needs immediate
attention since Kerala cannot afford to any more conversion of paddy lands , ecologically or
economically. The Kerala Conservation Of Paddy Land And Wetland Act, 2008 has to be implemented in
its true sense to arrest further conversion of paddy lands and to protect the existing paddy lands. The
ecosystem services provided by the rice systems need be recognized and intensive efforts have to be
taken to bring back all the fallow land under cultivation by providing institutional support for developing
the required infra structural facilities and by promoting lease land cultivation wherever owners of paddy
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For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in
Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP)
Directorate of Rice Research,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Ph: 91-40-24591218, 295 Fax: 91-40-24591217
RICE IN KERALA
lands are unable to continue rice farming. There is also scope of horizontal expansion of area under rice
cultivation during Kharif by exploiting the potential of upland rice. Coconut based cropping system is the
most predominant cropping system of Kerala which offers wide scope for raising upland rice as an
intercrop in coconut garden. In Kerala, coconut is raised in an area of about 8.99 lakh ha . An area of
6000-7000 ha per year can be brought under upland cultivation, using appropriate varieties and
technologies. There is also possibility of expansion of area through increasing crop intensity in areas
where irrigation facilities are available.
Another relevant question that arises is whether we will be able to increase the food grain production in
the coming years once the net-cropped area remains the same. Much of the additional food demand in
the future will have to be met through productivity enhancement. The current productivity of of 2.6 t/ha
has to be increased to 5.0 t/ha so as to achieve the production target of 15.0 lakh tones by 2015. There
are good short- and medium-term potentials for increasing rice yield levels, cropping intensity and unit
area productivity in the different rice ecosystems. The production constraints in different areas and
regions may be identified and separate packages need be formulated for increasing productivity.
Maximum productivity potentials can be achieved by developing appropriate irrigation facilities for
double cropping in lowland areas. This is especially relevant is the Districts of Palakkad, Malappuram
and Wayanad , where the higher productivity of Rabi/ Summer rice can be exploited by creating or
improving the irrigation facilities. The timely availability of inputs especially quality seeds is to be ensured
for increasing the production of rice.
As the population keeps growing, water scarcity and competition for water will be on the high. To keep
up with the food needs of our increasing population, rice cultivation has to adapt to water scarcity,
drought, flooding, salinity and also threats posed by erratic climates imposed by climate change. Climate
change may impact our food grain production and productivity in more ways than one. It is expected to
increase the frequency of droughts and floods and also increase temperatures which will have a negative
impact on yields. Simulations predict that for every 10C rise in temperature, there is a corresponding 7%
decline in rice yield. Developing rice varieties that are less sensitive to such changes is the option for
thriving such situations. Greater investment in research and extension is needed to meet these
challenges.
Page | 30
For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in
Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP)
Directorate of Rice Research,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Ph: 91-40-24591218, 295 Fax: 91-40-24591217
RICE IN KERALA
XIX. Future thrust in rice production technologies
Among the rice production technologies, development of suitable machines for the differenrt ec
osystems of Kerala is of prime importance considering the shrinking labour force of the state. Other areas
which needs consideration are
1. Conservation and molecular characterisation of land races of Kerala for specific attributes
2. Developing climate resilient rice varieties esp. varieties for heat and drought stress,
submergence and salinity.
3. Development of suitable varieties for irrigated and rainfed ecosystems through
recombination breeding in conjunction with marker assisted selection
4. Research on medicinal rices of Kerala,including collection, conservation and utilisation of the
medicinal rice diversity in Kerala, Nutritional and biochemical profiling of the medicinal rice
germplasm, Documentation of ITK on the medicinal rice cultivars in Kerala, Clinical validation of
the medicinal properties of the medicinal rice cultivars,Breeding programmes to improve the
plant architecture to make them more acceptable for wider use and production and supply of
quality seeds of the required varieties.
5. Genetic enhancement of nutritive value of rice through conventional and
biotechnological tools.
6. Development of high yielding red rice hybrids suited for Kerala with better grain quality and pest and disease resistance.
7. Development of reliable markers for genes conferring biotic and abiotic stress resistance, yield
and quality related trait genes and their effective utilization of marker technology in crop
improvement.
8. Identification, characterization and functional analysis of novel genes or better alleles
related to stress tolerance, yield and quality traits, nutrient and resource use efficiency
using functional genomic and bioinformatics tools.
Page | 31
For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in
Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP)
Directorate of Rice Research,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Ph: 91-40-24591218, 295 Fax: 91-40-24591217
RICE IN KERALA
9. Bridging the yield gap through identifying productivity constraints in each eco system and
developing remedial measures
10. Agronomic management for harnessing maximum output through increased resource
use efficiency
11. Integrated nutrient and crop management strategies to increase unit area production.
12. Developing Organic farming and Integrated crop management approaches for
sustainability of rice farming systems.
13. Efficient use of biomass on the farm achieving a higher level of energy sufficiency and use
of solar, wind and water energy which can provide much needed additional energy in
farming systems.
Page | 32
For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in
Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP)
Directorate of Rice Research,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Ph: 91-40-24591218, 295 Fax: 91-40-24591217
RICE IN KERALA
Reference
1. KAU .1989. NARP Status Report Central Zone Vol. I Directorate of Extension, Kerala
Agricultural University, Thrissur . p 53-60
2. KAU 2007. Package of Practices, Directorate of Extension Kerala Agricultural University Thrissur .
3. Leena Kumary. S .2004. Genetic Improvement of rice varieties in Kerala. In Sharma S. D and U.
Prasada Rao ( eds) Genetic Improvement of rice varieties of India . Today and Tomorrow
Publishers, New Delhi. P. 689-741
4. Leena Kumary. S. 2007. Biodiversity of rice in Kerala. In Paddy cultivation in Kerala (Ed) Dr. A.E.
Muthunayagam and Published by Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment
p.33-45