What Happened
In Sri Lanka, before the 1940s and the Green Revolution, rice farmers cultivated traditional varieties of rice, known locally as purana haal. These varieties of rice were resilient and possessed varied nutritional and medicinal properties, but were replaced by new improved varieties of rice to obtain better quality and higher yields.
Karu Herath, a heirloom rice farmer in the village of Dunuwila, on the border of Wasgamuwa National Park, located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa, has cultivated heirloom rice varieties for the past 27 years. He told Mongabay that less than 30 varieties remain of the estimated 2,500 heirloom rice varieties that existed, a claim supported by rice researchers.
Why It Matters
The loss of indigenous rice varieties and traditional knowledge of indigenous farming practices in Sri Lanka has had a significant impact on the country's biodiversity and food security. The introduction of new improved varieties of rice and fertilizers after the 1940s led to the loss of many indigenous rice varieties and the forgetting of traditional farming practices.
Herath follows this practice and cultivates only during the monsoon season. "During the dry season, we let the soil recover and cultivate heirloom cereals and legumes, such as kurakkan and mung", he said. "This takes away different nutrients and requires less water than rice. This was the traditional land-use system, which was altered by the British colonialists".
The Mechanism/Science Behind It
The loss of biodiversity in rice varieties is a serious problem, as traditional varieties of rice possess unique properties that make them more resilient to diseases and adverse climate conditions. The introduction of new improved varieties of rice can lead to the loss of important genes that could be used to improve disease resistance and drought tolerance.
Furthermore, the practice of cultivating heirloom rice during the monsoon season and cereals and legumes during the dry season is an example of a traditional land-use system that promotes biodiversity and food security. This farming system allows the soil to recover and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Bigger Picture
The loss of indigenous rice varieties and traditional knowledge of indigenous farming practices is a global problem. Many developing countries face similar challenges to Sri Lanka, with the loss of biodiversity and dependence on improved rice varieties.
However, there are examples of countries that are working to preserve and promote indigenous farming. For example, India has a program to conserve traditional rice varieties and promotes organic farming and biodiversity.
What Happens Next
It is essential that Sri Lanka and other countries take measures to preserve and promote indigenous farming and biodiversity. This can include creating programs to conserve traditional rice varieties, promoting organic farming, and educating about the importance of biodiversity and food security.
Furthermore, it is crucial that governments and international organizations support indigenous farmers and promote sustainable agriculture. This can include providing financial, technical, and capacity-building resources to indigenous farmers, as well as creating markets for indigenous agricultural products.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.