Why in news? Kerala-based organisation named Thanal has embarked on a unique conservation experiment, planting 300 climate-resilient varieties of traditional rice on 1.5 acre of land at its agro ecology centre in Panavally in the Wayanad district.

 Highlights

• Thanal gave the public an opportunity to experience their initiative by launching Ikki Jathre, or the Festival of Rice in tribal parlance.
• Aim: To sensitise people for the significance of conserving traditional crops that have the ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions.
• Thanal has been organising annual “rice field weeks” since 2012.
• This organization launched programme initially with the Rice Diversity Block (RDB) at Panavally under the Save Our Rice campaign in 2009, with a collection of 30 varieties of rice

About Traditional Variety

• This variety could compete with any hybrid rice in terms of productivity
• The input cost of traditional rice cultivation is very low owing to its inherent resistance to pests and diseases.
• They are rich in minerals like zinc, iron and other nutrients that supplements the supply fortified rice by artificially adding minerals and nutrients to hybrid rice varieties.

Some famous traditional varieties

• The Thondy variety: Kerala
• Chitteni and Chettadi : Thrissur and Palakkad.
• Poongar and Mappilai Samba : Tamil Nadu
• Rajamudi rice : Karnataka
• Jeeraga Samba: Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Gobinda Bhog : West Bengal