President Droupadi Murmu Hails Odisha Tribal Communities For Conserving Traditional Rice Varieties

Cuttack: Describing rice as the cornerstone of food security in India and a key factor for the economy, President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said paddy cultivaton has come under threat due to climate change.

Addressing the second Rice Congress at ICAR’s National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) in Cuttack, the President said rice figures prominently in India’s heritage and culture.

Murmu called upon scientists to find a middle path for preserving and conserving traditional varieties of rice on one hand and maintaining ecological balance on the other.

The Congress, inaugurated by Murmu, was also attended by Union Agricultrure Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and state Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.

Right from the Vedas, ancient literatures have made references to rice and several rituals in the country are also incomplete without it, she said, adding that the first solid food given to a child is usually something made of rice.

Noting that India has emerged as a leading consumer and exporter of rice, Murmu said the situation was different in the past. NRRI was established after the Bengal famine and just before India’s Independence, she said.

Statiing that the country was dependent on imports earlier, the President said credit goes to NRRI for bringing about a change. For more than 75 years now the NRRI has been working in areas of basis, applied and adaptive research related to paddy while imparting training to various stakeholders, said Murmu.

India is now proud of its rice biodiversity and every region of the country boasts of a unique grain variety of its own with a distinct taste, she said, adding that rice is now grown at new places and has found new consumers with the spread of irrigation.

Noting that paddy crop requires plenty of water, she said there are several areas in world which are facing drought, floods and cyclone due to climate change and thus making rice cultivation more vulnerable.

There are places where traditional varieties are facing problems and challenges,  but the traditional rice growers from tribal communities of Odisha have helped conserve unique genetic resources of rice for ages.

Hailing Kamala Pujari of Koraput for her outstanding work, the President said she has been collecting and preserving 100 endangered crop varieties, including rice, and has been awarded Padma Shri for her inspiring initiative.