"Contamination of Indigenous Karuppu Kavuni Rice Seeds by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University"

Karuppu Kavuni rice also known as Forbidden rice is widely known for its medicinal properties and its health benefits. It is a traditional rice variety of Tamil nadu cultivated for many generations. Karupu kavuni has been very helpful in treating cancer patients in inflamation. This indigenous rice is rich in essential nutrients needed by the human body, as is the case with all indigenous rice varieties.

However, today, nearly all rice consumed is hybrid rice. These hybrid varieties are artificially created in agriculture universities for higher yield. But these rice lack essential nutritions that are present in traditional rice. The rising number of diabetes patients and other health issues related to nutritional deficiencies are often linked to the consumption of hybrid rice varieties.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University(TNAU) introduced hybrid Karuppu Kavuni seeds, called Co-57. But, this hybrid karupu kavuni is not proven to be as healthy as Indigenous heirloom karupu kavuni rice. Experts warn that this may disrupt the market of karupu kavuni affecting indigenous farmers negatively. This move by the TNAU has led the people to question the authenticity of the karupu kavuni rice being sold in the market.

The true medicinal Karuppu Kavuni is from traditional, indigenous varieties. But it appears that the hybrid Karuppu Kavuni variety does not possess the same healing properties. Despite this, farmers are unknowingly planting hybrid Karuppu Kavuni seeds, resulting in contamination of the traditional variety that have been passed down for generations. Consumers, in most cases, are unaware of this change.

Many farmers body has condemn this move.They say Karupu kavuni market is one of the most flourishing agri market of Tamil nadu. This market gives livilihood to many farmers. Farmers fear this contamination might affect karupu kavuni's market in a adverse way. Indigenous rice seed conservators are viewing this as an attempt to erase indigenous Karuppu Kavuni seeds by contaminating its genetic purity without proper study. These kind of unscientific, unethical, anti farmers move has been staged in broad daylight by so called scientist and scholars of TNAU.

Agri- University has already been accused of leading the extinction of already endangered Indigenous seeds due to lack of scientific approach and understanding of indigenous farming. This move by TNAU confirms the accussations.

This action by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is seen as detrimental to the preservation of traditional rice varieties and is being criticized by the some people. There are now calls for legal action against the government officials behind this move.

The Author of this article, Karthik, has been dedicated to the protection of Indigenous rice seeds from 2019.