Dr.Richhariya in-situ rice Seed Centre

Richhariya, was an agri-scientist who served as a Chief Scientist under the Government of India for decades. He estimated that India in 1950s, had more 200,000 varieties of Traditional Paddy Seeds. These heirloom Traditional paddy seeds were carefully breeded by Indian farmers for over thousands of years, each variety having its own unique characteristic features.

At a rate of 3 unique traditional rice per day, it would take 183 years to taste every traditional rice of India.

India's Traditional Farmers were able to develop rice with specialized traits such as diabetes-friendly, anemia-treating, ADHD-calming, Alzheimer’s-slowing, and even rice varieties that could stop deaths due to pneumonia and diarrhea due to its rich nutritional properties. Traditional rice is also proven to be anti-oxidant powerhouse loaded with micro nutrients and rare phytonutrients that are absent in modern hybrid rice.

Our traditional farmers were also able to breed aromatic rice which gave unique pleasant smell to the rice. They were able to breed rice that doesn't need cooking at all. Just after soaking for a few minutes, the rice will be ready to eat. They were able to breed rice that is good for lactating mothers. They were able to breed rice varieties that could improve male sex hormone, testosterone levels. This diverse list goes on.

Farmers were also able breed paddy varieties that were flood tolerant, saline resistant paddy that could be grown near sea shores, drought resistant paddy that can be grown without much water. Such was the diversity and the genetic wealth of India's traditional paddy. It took many generations of farmers to breed these paddy seeds with such an unique traits.

Recent Archeological excavation in Sivagalai in Tamil nadu has shed light on Urban Civilisation of past Tamil nadu. Paddy husks collected from excavations at Sivagalai archealogical site points that paddy was there in Tamil nadu for more than 3000 years. Traditional paddy are this much older making it highly evolved to local climate and geographic conditions. Sivagalai, in Tamil nadu, is also the oldest iron age site in the world pushing us to the question of orgins of Tamil Civilisation and traditional paddy further back in history.

We were astonished to know that many villages in India had their own Traditional paddy seeds. Villages in India had their own native paddy seeds that grow well according to local conditions like soil and resilient to other local geographic and climatic conditions. 

So, we decided to find the local paddy varieties that were grown in our Village. We have heard from my old people of our village that our fields were once used to grown paddy year round for many generations. But, no one knew the names of the local traditional paddy that were traditional grown in our village. We travelled to many parts of Tamil nadu meet with many Agri-University scientists and scholars. But, no one had a clue about the Traditional paddy of our village. We asked many villagers but people less than age of 80 didn't have an idea about traditional paddy.

One day, we meet a very old aged farmer, in late 80s working in the paddy fields. Seeing us sad, the old farmer asked, "what's the matter?" We explained him our issues in find the native traditional paddy varieties of our village. He thought for sometime and uttered the names of some traditional paddy varieties that were grown during the British era. We noted down the names of it.

Pallu is a classical Tamil language literature that speaks about the agriculture practices during per colonial era. This literature is a repository for finding the agrarian practices. Its speaks about many traditional paddy and their unique features. When we cross checked the names that the old farmer told us, we were shocked to see as the name told by old farmer matched with the literature evidence.

Generations of genetic wisdom was transferred to us by this is old illerate farmer. What educated research scholar's couldn't figure was figured by this illiterate old man. This incident made us to rethink our believes about knowledge and expertise. This incident made to start Dr.Richhariya in-situ rice seed centre to conserve local traditional paddy varieties of our village in their natural habitat(in-situ).

Then, we searched for the seeds of these traditional paddy. Finally, we found 3 native traditional paddy that were grown in our Villages for generations. We, then, cultivated these traditional paddy in the fields by Traditional organic farming as it was grown for hundreds of years.

We found some unique features in these Traditional paddy seeds. They grew well in the local soil conditions. Manalvari is one traditional variety that was grown in and around our villages. These paddy has unique presence of awns. Then, we processed these paddy by Traditional milling process. We found that Manalvari, a traditional variety of our village is a Red rice.

Manalvari, Traditional Red of our Village, Komerlingam, Tamil Nadu

We also found nutritional difference in these red rice.

This Red rice is rich in antioxidants, magnesium and fibre than regular white rice. Red rice also has less carbs compared to white rice. Red rice is also known to have low glycemic index helping to regulate blood sugar level. This makes this rice ideal choice for diabetics patients. This red rice is potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, potentially protecting against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurological diseases. They may also improve memory and overall brain health. 

Then came another Traditional variety of our Village Sirumani Samba. This paddy has been traditionally cultivated in our village. This traditional paddy is native to Chengalpattu region of Tamil nadu. We processed this paddy to get white rice. We made idly from this rice which was the best idly that we ever had.

Traditional Sirumani Samba Rice

Thanga samba is another Traditional variety of our village found in classical tamil literature. Thanga means Gold in Tamil. Since the matured paddy glitters like gold, it has got its name.

Traditional Thanga samba paddy during its matured phase.

This rice was traditionally used as white rice. Some nutritional analysis of Thanga samba brown suggests it has high vitamin d2 which could be used to treating rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. This rice is very important for maintaining bone health.

We also employed traditional organic farming practices to grow these traditional paddy. We also observed that many Traditional paddies grew 6 feets or more. This makes them unfit for using synthetic nitrogen fertilizers as nitrogen fertilizers will make the paddy fall to the ground. We also observed that Traditional varieties require less inputs compared to hybrid rice counterpart. This reduced the input cost of farmers. High input cost in one of the leading causes of farmer suicide. Embracing traditional farming could reduce the impact of agrarian crisis on farmers.

We also observed very unique tradition embedded in our village's culture. This is one of the refined methods of seeds selections and an example of indigenous seed breeding by traditional farmers of India for generations.

In Tamil culture, "Mulai Pari" is a cherished practice deeply rooted in agricultural traditions for generations. Every year, villages across Tamil Nadu celebrate temple festivals where farmers invite relatives, prepare meals, and enjoy time with their families—a true rural vacation.  

Farmers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, use Mulai Pari to test the germination quality of their seeds—a critical step for successful farming. Here’s how it works:  

Seed Collection: Traditionally farmers save seeds from their harvest for the next planting season.  

Germination Test: During these festivals, they place these seeds in a tissue-like setup in their own home to monitor growth and germination rates.

Mulai Pari.

Community Exhibition: Then, this is carried in head by villagers during public procession to village temple where they are kept in common area for other villagers to see. All farmers of village gather to inspect, compare, and discuss the results to identify the best seeds for breeding. In this way villagers, were able to select appropriate seeds for breeding.

Public exhibition of Mulai Pari in Village temples.

We understood this centuries-old tradition has played a vital role in indigenous rice breeding, helping Tamil farmers preserve and improve their seed varieties naturally and sustainably.

Traditional Processing Vs Modern Processing techniques:

Traditional in villages paddy is processed at home using Mortar. This was discarded in mainstream processing after Green revoltion stating that this process is out dated technology.

Villagers processing paddy by Traditional mortar

Today, 99% of rice we eat of hybrid rice polished in modern rice mills. When we did some research we understood that Traditional paddy milling process is has huge scientific backing.

Rice when processed traditionally retains outer bran layer which is very nutritious. Rice bran is the outer layer of the rice grain that is removed during the modern milling process to produce white rice. This layer includes the aleurone layer and pericarp and is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Rice processed traditionally helps to regulate blood sugar, supports digestion and unsaturated fats present in them supports heart health. This fiber in rice bran promotes fullness and reduces cravings, supporting healthy weight management.

We were just amazed by the traditional knowledge about these technologies and its implications on human health. So, we started to process them in a traditional manner with their outer layer intact. Still, we couldn't find how where these people able to identify the nutritional benefits without the help of advanced technologies used today.

It was during the Green revolution these traditional techniques were discarded as un-scientific and in-efficient. Traditional seeds was replaced by high yielding hybrid varieties. Farmers were told if they produce more food they would earn. But, reality is inverted. After 50 years of green revolution, many farmers are trapped un debt. Millions of farmers has left agriculture. Indian Government data says for Every one hour, one farmer kills himself, making his entire family suffer.

On the other hand it is claimed that only because of Green revolution we escaped the trap of hunger. But, definition of hunger has evolved in these years forcing us to rethink what hunger actually looks like.

In 2024, Global hunger Index places India at 105th position out of 127 countries that they surveyed for hunger. It states India's hunger is worse than sub-saharan Africa. It says 1 is 3 child of India is stunned. Stuuning refers to poor intake of nutrition during early childhood causing chronic cognitive and mental development. This can affect their entire life pusing them into vicious circle of poverty.

India has become the diabetics capital of world with highest number of diabetics patients in the world. Also, India is becoming epicentre of heart disease. 1 in 3 fatalities in India occur due to heart disease. Traditional rice processed traditionally has been clearly proven to help diabetics patients and enhances heart health. Yet, our new age ignorance has become so vast that we are even unable to relate to basic logics.

Out of 2 lakh traditional paddy seeds, only 1% less than 2 thousand varieties are with farmers. Remaining 99% of Traditional paddy seeds have extinct. Nobody has it. Traditional wisdom that was handed over for many generations is lost in a span of 60 years.

Its clearly seemed to us that Green revolution hasn't been benefited to farmers or consumers. Then, who has benefited?

Dr.Richhariya, in this final days, collected 19,000 traditional paddy seeds and stored it in Indira Gandhi Agriculture University in Delhi. In 2002, Indian Government handed over all these seeds to Monsanto. Monsanto has now merged with Bayer to form the largest agri-business corporation of the Planet.

Bayer is the largest Agri-business corporation in on Earth sells agri-products. Bayer has been accused of hand pulling Governments to promote its products such as Genetically modified seeds, toxic pesticides and herbicides. It has also been accused of manipulating scientific papers. Bayer is the leading corporation in global seed market with 17 percent share. The company has been accused of monopolizing seed business by enforcing genetically modified food crops on local people thereby destroying the local biodiversity and local livelihood.

Bayer's Genetically Modified cotton, called Bt-Cotton was introduced in 2002. During Initial days, these Genetically modified seeds were sold at Rs.10/ kg. Now, it price is sold at Rs. 5000/ kg. Also, these Genetically modified crops require more input from fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides increasing the input cost of the farmers. Highest number of suicide occurred with Bt-cotton farmers. It was found that higher input cost was the major reason of cotton farmers suicide. Also, Genetically modified seeds are unsafe as there is no proper bio safety studies done on its safety.

Bayer has been accused of selling carcinogenic herbicides that are known to create deadly cancers in humans. After proven carcinogenic, Bayer paid 10 billion dollar settlement to cancer patients in USA alone. This is the highest amount settled by any corporation in human history for its violence against humanity.

Click here to know more about how Bayer took control over Indian Agricultural institutions.

It is also important to note Bayer is the same company which sells carcinogenic chemicals used in food production. This same company produces cancer drugs to treating them. They earn a huge profit from it.

This kind of profit model destroys local ecology, small farmers, affect traditional seed diversity and food quality of people in a negative manner. Yet, their business go unhindered across all Governments with all political parties.

In India, Farmers with less than 5 acres are termed as Small farmers. 85% of all Indian farmers are small farmers. But they employ more than 50% of the counties population. 

This modern agriculture promoted after Green Revolution, left a devastating effects on farmers and local village economy. A system functioning efficiently for centuries is broken in 60 years. This has created rapid urbanization across India leaving a harsh ecological impact affecting the living standard of cities. Landless farmers who depend on farmers are also forced to move towards urban cities in forced displacement. One study points out that 42 out of 50 most polluted cities of the world are in India, largely due to air pollution, over population, toxic water and unsafe food shedding light on displaced population.

So, we started working to understand our local village economy by understanding the traditional concepts of exchange.

We observed unique traditional currency system that was functioning at village level very efficiently. Local de-centralized irrigation system was built by our villagers that helped traditional farmers. This method of irrigation doesn't have much ecological impact to its counter parts - Big dams. Right now, Europe is now in hurry to dismantle river blocking dams due to bad ecological imprints. Our villages local irrigation includes tanks and small canals constructed against rivers. This Local irrigation system required required human labor to maintain it but has very less ecological imprint. This in a way created a huge employment at a local level.

During Paddy cultivation, farmers also required a human laborers in different forms. These people were not paid in terms of money. Rather, after harvest, paddy is brought to village common areas called "Kallathu medu". Here, paddy is shared among different people who contributed for the paddy from communities that maintained local irrigation, farm laborers, cattle owners, carpenters and others people who helped farmers directly and indirectly. The amount of paddy distributed remain standard for the whole village. Thus, whole village was functioning as a community. This mode of exchange promoted mutual trust and cooperation among villagers increase the sense of community. In India, many villages functioned as a community.

This method of exchange also reduced the carbon footprint of people. One study points out that our food travels 1500 kms before reaching our plate usually living in urban areas as they have travel in trucks before reaching our plate. This increases the carbon footprint of our food. But, this was not incase of the traditional food supply. They consume what they produce locally. Another study points out that, eating local foot is good for human health as the local food is adapted to nutritional needs of local geography and climate. 

But, Today, this method of traditional village exchanges systems are abandoned. The Reason- Green revolution. During Green revolution, farmers were encouraged by Indian government to use high yielding hybrid seeds to increase the yield thereby increasing thereby increasing the profit by selling it in market. So, farmers believed in government words and abandoned traditional exchange systems and traditional seeds. Now, after 60 years of Green revolution, farmers finances and village economy has collapsed leading to a nationalwide agrarian crisis throughout India pointing towards lack of clarity at a policy level within the Government.

We are also working to introduce traditional food exchange system to reap its benefits at our village level. We are planning to introduce Traditional rice of our village in trail manner as our currency to bring back the our traditional exchange system where everyone from farmers and consumer were happy with their sustainable model of functioning at multiple levels.

We are hoping this will also help in our fight with malnutrition at our village level. Giving traditional foods to locally will surely increase the conditions of malnutrition as Traditional foods are much more nutritious than the hybrid foods that we eat today. Yet, we see a lack of awareness about our Traditional food and health aspects even among "educated" community making people prone to diseases like diabetics at one end of spectrum and with malnutrition at another end of the spectrum.

From all our understanding and experiences in India, going back to villages and understanding our tradition is the way forward.

We still are searching some traditional varieties of our village like "Karthikai samba" and "nellur samba". Any support from you will help us to safeguard our village Traditional systems.

This is not only a story of our village alone. There are millions of villages across India sharing same level of traditional wisdom of our ancestoral farmers. We had many different types of traditional tubers, fruits, vegetables and other crops that a were used by villagers for many centuries. Just that, we need to learn and understand India's traditional village system which has very deep historic roots and wisdom embedded in it.