Rice Production in Kerala

RICE IN KERALA
Status Paper on Rice in Kerala
S. Leena Kumari
Professor & Head Rice Research Station, Monkompu, Thekkekkara P.O. Alleppey District. Kerala 688 503
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For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP) Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: naiprkmp@gmail.com, pdrice@drricar.org, shaiknmeera@gmail.com Ph: 91-40-24591218, 295 Fax: 91-40-24591217
RICE IN KERALA
I.NAME OF THE STATE II. INTRODUCTION
Kerala
Kerala, the southern most state of India, occupies a unique position on the map of the country and lies between 8018 and 12048 North latitude and between 740 52 and 770 24 East longitude. It has a total area of 38,855 km2. With the southernmost extremity at Parassala, about 56 km upward from the southernmost tip of India, it stretches along the shores of Arabian Sea for a distance of about 597 km. The breadth of the Sate varies from 32 km in the extreme north and south to over 120 km in the middle. The State is bounded on the North and North East by South Kanara, Kudagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka State, on the East by Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelvali districts of Tamilnadu, on the South by Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu, and on the West by Arabian Sea. Kerala ranks seventeenth in area among the states of India. III. Rice production scenario: Area, Production and Productivity Years 1960-61 1965-66 1970-71 1975-76 1980-81 1985-86 1990-91 1995-96 2001-02 Area (Lakh ha) 7.90 8.02 8.75 8.85 8.02 6.78 5.59 4.71 3.22 Production (Lakh tonnes) 10.68 9.97 12.98 13.65 12.72 11.73 10.87 9.53 7.03 Productivity (Kg) 1371 1243 1483 1540 1590 1730 1940 2023 2182
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2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
3.10 2.87 2.90 2.75 2.63 2.29 2.34 2.34
6.88 5.70 6.67 6.30 6.41 5.28 5.90 6.25
2218 1984 2300 2285 2435 2306 2521 2671
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics GOK IV. Geographical indicator a. Climate The climate of the Sate is of the type-tropical monsoon with seasonally excessive rainfall and hot summer except over the extremely southern district viz. Thiruvananthapuram where the climate falls under the type-Tropical savanna with seasonally dry and hot summer weather. The year may be divided into 3 seasons. The period from March to the end of May is the hot season. This is followed by south west monsoon season, which continues till the middle of October. From the middle of October begins the north east monsoon season, which lasts up to the end of February although the rains associated with the north east monsoon ceases by December. The climate is pleasant from September to February. Summer months March to May are uncomfortable due to high temperatures and humidity. The High Ranges have a cool and bracing climate through our the year, while the plains are hot and humid. Though the mean temperature is only 32.20 C, it is oppressively hot in the plains in summer. The State is extremely humid due to existence of Arabian sea in the western side.
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b. Soil type Nine different soil types have been identified in Kerala as listed below
1. Alluvial Soil ( Spread over river Banks) 2. Sandy soil ( Coastal areas) 3. Sandy loam soil(Coastal areas) 4. Laterite soil with well defined B horizon( Natural midlands) 5. Laterite soil without B horizon( Natural highlands) 6. Red soil ( Southern- most Kerala) 7. Black Soil (Chittoor Taluk and Palakkad District) 8. Peat (Kari) soil( Kuttanad) 9. Acid saline soil( Pokkali and Kaippad area)
c. Rainfall and its distribution pattern The average level of annual rainfall is quite high in the State, being in the neighborhood of about 2600 mm. It is significant that the Sate gets rainfall both from the south-west and the north-east monsoons. The former starts towards the end of May or the beginning of June and fades out by September while the latter commences in October, and continues up to middle of November and dry weather sets in by the end of December. Among the different districts of Kerala, Palakkad receives the minimum rainfall and the highest rainfall in the State occurs in the High Ranges of Kottayam district where it is over 3000 mm. d. Agro-climatic zones
Kerala State has been delineated into thirteen agro climatic zones based on four parameters viz., altitude, rainfall pattern, soil type and topography viz., 1. Onattukara, 2. Coastal Sandy 3.Southern Midlands 4.Central Midlands 5. Northern Midlands 6.Malappuram Type 10. Chittoor black soil 11.Kuttanadu 12.
7.Malayorum 8.Palakkadu plains 9. Red loam
Riverbank alluvium and 13. High ranges. The main features of these agroclimatic zones are shown below.
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Main features of the Agro climatic Zones of Kerala No. Zones Altitude type Rainfall patterns I II III Onattukara Coastal Sandy Southern Midlands I I I I I I Topography model I I III Sandy loam Sandy loam Laterite without B horizon IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII Central Midlands Northern Midlands Malappuram Type Malayorum Palakkadu plains Red loam Chittoor black soil Kuttanadu Riverbank alluvium High ranges I I I I I I I I I II I & II II II I II I II I I I &II IIa IIb IIc III II III IIa I I III Laterite Laterite Laterite Laterite without B Red loam Red loam Black soil Peat( kari) Alluvium Red loam Soil Type
Rice Eco Systems of Kerala

Taking into consideration topography, soil and abiotic factors and variation in resource endowments,
and reckoning the seasonal differences in which rice is grown in the state, eight significant agroecosystems are identified as detailed below(Nair, 2000). a. Midland and Malayorum ecosystems
The most predominant system is the viruppu-mundakan sequence practiced on irruppu niloms covering the midlands and the malayoram agro-ecological zone. Viruppu crop on these lands is largely a rainfed crop grown during the South West Monsoon. Generally starting as a dry broadcast crop it ends up in wet conditions. The varieties grown have such plasticity that they are conditioned to growth under a wide spectrum of moisture regimes from moist seedbed
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to standing water. Mundakan (winter) crop is generally a transplanted crop (Broadcasting with sprouted seed is also practised especially where water is assured) in which rice plant grows throughout under continuous wet conditions. The fag end of the crop might be subjected to moisture stress in some areas if the northeast monsoon tapers off suddenly. Most of the growing period is spent during the northeast monsoon rainfall.
b. Palakkadu plains and Chittoor black soil agro-ecosystem. Another major chunk of double-cropped land is the irrigated project commands predominantly the eastern taluks of Palakkadu and Periyar valley command in the Ernakulam district. Prior to the commissioning of the irrigation projects, these were the traditional iruppu and oruppu lands. The main difference between the rainfed and the irrigated practice is that in the latter the viruppu season commences only after the onset of the southwest monsoon (in June) and crop is established through transplanting instead of dry broadcasting. The crop is of medium duration. Commencement of
mundakan season is delayed to October-November and continues to be a transplanted crop. Longer duration varieties are preferred under the irrigated system. c. Kuttanadu agro-ecosystem A unique system of rice production is practiced in the rice bowl of the state: the Kuttanadu in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and kole land in Thrissur district. Being low-lying estuarine lands, these areas are subjected to floods during the two monsoons and salinity intrusion during post monsoon periods. Soon after the northeast monsoon ends in November, bunds (dykes) are raised. Pumping out the water drains these polders, sowing is then done wet with sprouted seeds. The growing period is midway between mundakan and summer. Sown in November- December, the crop is harvested in March - April. As the fields are generally below sea level, water from the bordering canal system is drawn by gravity flow and used for irrigation. In some parts an additional crop is taken during autumn or virippu which is sown dry broadcast or wet sown just prior to the onset of monsoon. d.Pokkali agro-ecosystem In areas that are subjected to tidal action and hence the soil is saline, a crop of rice is grown during viruppu taking advantage of the heavy southwest monsoon by a system of flushing out the salt from the land. The system is known as pokkali in central Kerala and kaipaatu in north Kerala. After the
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harvest of the virippu crop, prawn culture is practiced making use of the tidal flow during the ebb and floods. e. Onattukara agro-eco system Here two crops of paddy is raised followed by pulse crop or oil seeds. Both the paddy crops Virippu and Mundakan are purely rainfed crops. The soil is sandy textured. It extends in Alappuzha & Quilon districts. f. High range agro-ecosystem The low temperature regime generally prevailing in the high ranges limits the time available for rice production in this area. Only one crop extending to both the southwest and the northwest monsoons is practicable. Paddy production in the high ranges is mainly taking place in the Wayanad plateau where the valley bottoms are relatively broad and extensive. Predominantly it is transplanted crop, commencing in July and harvested in December. VI. Rice production and economic analysis Rice forms the staple food of the people of Kerala and contributes a major share towards its economy. It is grown in a vast array of ecological niches, ranging from regions situated 3 meters below MSL level as in Kuttanadu to an altitude of 1400 m as in the high ranges. It is cultivated under 3 to 4 meters depth of water as well as in purely rainfed uplands with no standing water. Probably nowhere else in the world, rice crop is cultivated under such a diversity of conditions. Kerala is a deficient state in rice production. While the estimated requirement of rice for the state is 3540 lakhs t/year, it produces less than one-fifth of its requirement. The deficit in rice production is increasing year after year due to reduction in rice area arising out of the large scale conversion of paddy lands for raising other crops or for residential purposes. The area under rice cultivation shows a decreasing trend especially from 1994-1995. The area under rice cultivation which was in its peak during mid seventies dwindled to 4.71 lakh ha by 1995-'96 and 2.87 lakh ha by 2003-04. The total rice production of 12.8 lakh tonnes in 1980-81 had come down to 10.86 lakh tonnes in 1990-91 and 5.70 lakh tonnes by 2003-04. During this period, the share of rice in the total cropped area also showed a steep decline ie, from 33.2 percent in 1960-61 to 12.01 percent in 2003-04. The situation slightly changed after
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2006-07 over the ,last two years mainly due to the concerted effort of the Government At present , rice is grown in a gross area of 2.34 lakh ha producing 6.25 lakh tonnes with a productivity of 2671 kg. VII. Rice and rice based cropping systems zone-wise
Sl. No. 1
Zones Onattukara
Cropping patterns
Rice- Rice- Legumes/ Rice- Rice Sesame/ Rice RiceVegetables, Rie- Rice- fallow
2 3
Coastal Sandy Southern Midlands
Rice Prawn/ Rice- fallow
Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables, FallowRice fallow
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Central Midlands Northern Midlands Malappuram Type Malayorum Palakkadu plains Red loam Chittoor black soil Kuttanadu Riverbank alluvium High ranges
Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice Rice- Vegetables
Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables
Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice- Rice- Legumes

Rice- Rice- water fallow Rice- Fish
Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables
VIII. Rice growing seasons and regions There are three main rice-growing seasons in Kerala. They are: (a) Virippu season/ Autumn season/ First crop season which starts in April-May and extends up to September-October, (b) Mundakan season/ Winter season/ Second crop season which starts in September-October and extends up to December- January, and (c) Puncha season / Summer season/Third crop season which starts in December-January and extends up to March-April.
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In Kuttanad and Kole areas, the puncha season starts in October and ends in January- February. Similarly, The first crop season of Wayanad called nancha starts only in June- July and may go up to November after which a second crop is taken which corresponds with the puncha of other areas. The traditional rice varieties grown during the different seasons were also named accordingly. For example, first crop varieties were also known as virippu varieties, second crop varieties (mainly photosensitive varieties) as mundakan varieties and third crop varieties as puncha varieties. IX. Recommended package of practices a. Rice varieties suited for different situations
System / Region/ Season Situation
Varieties High yielding Varieties
Upland (Modan land) Purely rainfed First crop
Suvarnamodan, Annapoorna, Rohini, Swarnaprabha, Aiswarya, Uma, Vaisakh
Early duration: Rohini, Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Kairali, Palliyals (Myals) Single crop terraced First crop Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Aiswarya, Aathira, Uma Double crop wet lands : First crop Krishnanjana, Kanchana, Harsha, Kairali, Kunjukunju Varna, Prathyaasa Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Arathy, a. Semi-dry Bhadra, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Ranjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Early duration: Mattatriveni, Annapurna, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha, Kanchana, Harsha, Karthika, Ahalya
Ahalya, Varsha, Rohini, Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Revathy, Remanika,
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cultivation
Gouri, Aathira, Aiswarya
Second crop
Any of the varieties suggested for the first crop seasons (except Rohini)
Early duration:
Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Varsha, Rohini, Ahalya, Kunjukunju Varna, Prathyaasa
b. Transplanted
First crop Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Mahsuri, Aathira, Aiswarya, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri. Late duration: Mangalamahsuri Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana Kunjukunju Varna, Prathyaasa Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Mahsuri, Aathira, Second crop Aiswarya, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma Late duration: Mangalamahsuri, Pranava, Swetha, Karuna, , Makaram, Khumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam Early duration: Third crop Ahalya, Harsha, Varsha Medium duration: Sabari, Bharathy, Jaya, Aathira, Aiswarya, Pavizham, Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana,
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Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri.
Early duration: Karthika, Makom, Jyothy, Mattatriveni, Annapurna, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Prathyaasa Kuttanad area Puncha Medium duration: Bhadra, Asha, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri Early duration: Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Annapurna, Jyothy,
Mattatriveni, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Prathyaasa Additional crop Medium duration: Remya, Kanakom, Jaya, Sabari, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri. Extra short duration: Hraswa Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,
Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Kanchana, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Kole area Mundakan Ahalya, Varsha
Medium duration: Aswathy, Sabari, Bharathy, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Jaya, Aiswarya, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Bhadra Pokkali Virippu Vytilla 1, Vytilla 2, Vytilla 3, Vytilla 4, Vytilla5, Vytilla 6, Vytilla 7 , and Vytilla 8 Kaipad Virippu Ezhome -1, Ezhome -2
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Koottu-mundakan
Virippu+ Mundakan
Swarnaprabha+ Makaram, Swarnaprabha+ Kumbham Karthika+ Makaram, Karthika+Kumbham Pusa basmati 1, Pusa Sugandh Pusa basmati 1, Pusa Sugandh
Scented rice
Nanja Mundakan
Deep
ill-drained First crop Remya, Arathy
regions of southern districts
Second crop
Makaram, Kumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam, Mangalamahsuri
Waterlogged and First crop flooded areas
IR-5, Pankaj, Jagannath, H4, Mahsuri, Neeraja, Mangalamahsuri, Ezhome-2
Oorumundakan
Second crop
Sagara
Early duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Bhagya, Rohini, Onam, Onattukara coastal sandy First crop areas Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Arathy, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri. Early Duration: Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Makom, Jyothy, Karthika, Second crop Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana and Chingam, Aruna, Makom, Karthika, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana, Prathyaasa
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Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathi, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Dhanya (season bound), Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri. Annapurna, Krishnanjana. Third crop Medium duration: Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Aswathy, Pavizham, Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri. Poonthalpadam Neeraja, Ponmani,Pranava ( Paalakkad) High altitude area: a. Single crop areas b. Double crop First crop areas Aswathy, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy. Bhadra, Deepthi, Aathira, IR 8 Jaya, Sabari, Mahsuri, Bhadra, IR 8, Aathira, Uma Mattatriveni, Rohini, Makom, Revathi, Remanika,
Second crop
Aswathy, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Bhadra, Deepthi, Aathira, IR 8
c. Eastern lateritic regions of Kollam Second crop & districts Alappuzha Makaram, Kumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam
Chitoor black soil
First crop
ASD 16, ASD 17, Mahsuri, Varsha, ADT 43, Uma
Ponni, Vellaponni, Ponmani, ASD 16, ASD 17, Pranava, Swetha, Bhadra, Second crop Renjini. Source: KAU 2007
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b. Most popular rice varieties / hybrids of the state
The most populr rice variety of the State is Uma ( MO.16) developed by Rice Research Station, Moncompu followed by Jyothi, developed from Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi. The other varieties popular in the State in the order of their preference are Aiswarya, Kanchana, Aathira, Matta Triveni, Harsha, Vaisagh, Bhadra, Krishnanjana, Makom, Gouri etc. X. Traditional cultivars varieties grown if any, in the state.
a. Germplasm Resources
Taking into consideration the variation in resource endowments, topography, soil, abiotic factors and seasonal differences, rice grown in the state are grouped under eight different agro eco systems. The natural and artificial selections operating in these areas over long periods of time have resulted in a large number of traditional varieties suited to each region and possessing special traits like resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, ability to survive extreme agro-edaphic situations, quality attributes like medicinal value, aroma and suitability to special purposes which constitute an invaluable reservoir of genes that are used by plant breeders for development of superior crop varieties. The local land races grown in different agro climatic regions of Kerala differ for a range of characters including crop duration, plant height, tillering, pigmentation of various plant parts, panicle characters, grain characters as well as grain and straw production. There are photo insensitive varieties and photosensitive varieties maturing in 60-260 days. Tremendous variation exists for grain characters viz., grain color, grain shape , grain size, kernel color, aroma, puffing, popping, flattening, cooking and eating qualities. The latter reflect varietal preferences for different traditional food preparations.. Grain color itself varies from straw to gold to brown tinges to complete brown and to black . The grain size varies from round to short bold to long bold to long slender with long bold red kernelled grains being mostly preferred by the local farmers. It is supposed that near about two thousand traditional varieties which were well suited for different agro climatic situations and seasons of rice cultivation were predominantly cultivated in Kerala. They include varieties possessing resistant genes against biotic and abiotic stresses, rice varieties which were locally used as medicine or as ingredients in medical preparations, and scented rice varieties which differ from the scented "Basmathi" rice with respect to growth habits as well as physico-chemical properties of the grains .
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c. Medicinal value Though the bulk of the wide variability in medicinal rices grown in Kerala are lost, some rice varieties are still grown by farmers for their medicinal properties, which include Njavara, Chennellu, Kunjinellu, Erumakkari, Karuthachembavu and Kavunginpoothala (Leena Kumary, 2004). The medicinal property of these rice varieties have to be validated by clinical studies, but traditional knowledge associated with these varieties substantiate their use either as medicine or as ingredient in medicinal preparations. Njavara, is the unique medicinal rice variety from Kerala deserves special mention in this regard. This variety is known as "Shashtikam" in Sanskrit due to its extra short duration, coming to harvest within 60-70 days. Indigenous medicinal preparation using Njavara along with Kurunthotti ("Sida") rejuvenates the muscles and nerves. Two types of Njavara have been identified, the white glumed and black glumed, both of which are used in Ayurvedic treatments. Chennellu and Kunjinellu are varieties indigenous to North Kerala. One type of Chennellu with bright red grains, grown as an upland variety in parts of Kannur district is used in treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting. Another type of Chennellu with straw coloured grains is grown in wet lands in Wayanad district. Kunjinellu is a variant of red coloured Chennellu, with small red grains and is given to patients recovering from jaundice. Erumakkari and Karuthachembavu are the traditional rice varieties indigenous to South Kerala.
Karuthachambavu has black grains, blackish red kernels and black endosperm. The gruel made by the poached grains of Karuthachambavu is used to treat nausea, vomiting and stomach pains. Erumakkari was used for treatment of cough. Annoori, a wild species of rice is used by the kani tribes for treatment of small pox. Kavunginpoothala indigenous to Palakkad District is given to diabetic patients to reduce discomfort (Leena Kumary,.2004) XI. Indigenous technical knowledge (ITKs) specific to the state Kerala is well known for the rich genetic diversity of the traditional rice varieties grown in various seasons and in different agro-climatic conditions which includes many medicinal rices also. The
indigenous medicinal rices are used either as medicine or as ingredients in medicinal preparations on a limited scle The traditional knowledge associated with the medicinal rices are tabulated below.
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Sl. No. 1
Variety
Traditional use as medicine
Njavara
The grains are sweet, acrid, oleaginous, aphrodisiac, diuretic, carminative, anti-dysenteric and tonic The roots of this rice are said to be cooling, diuretic and febrifuge and are useful in burning sensation, dyspepsia, bilious fever and diabetes.
Regular consumption of Njavara rice gruel cooked in cows milk ensures longevity and increase milk flow in lactating mothers.
Njavara rice is recommended for acute complaints of piles and for diabetic patients.
Considered as a safe food for snake-bitten patients and people with stomach ulcer.
Application of Njavara rice paste is found effective for swelling in foot, reduces pain of snake bites
Used as a healthy baby food
Chennellu
Used in treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting.
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3 4
Kunjinellu Erumakkari
Given to patients recovering from jaundice. Used for treatment of cough in humans and also for some diseases of cattle
Karuthachambavu
The gruel made by the poached grains is used to treat nausea, vomiting and stomach pains.
6 7
Kavunginpoothala Varinellu
Recommended for diabetic patients Used by the tribal folk for treatment of small pox
Njavara, the unique medicinal rice of Kerala is put to a number of clinical uses also, which is well documented in the ancient ayurvedic literature, and a few of them are mentioned below. Njavara rice is used in Ayurveda for treatment of paralytic conditions and muscle wasting. It increases the growth of muscles and stimulates the nerve endings. Ashtangahridayakara advises every one to take Njavara rice during the time of pathyacharana (observing strict time-schedule and keeping special rules and regimen normally after undergoing ayurvedic treatments, especially the Panchakarma). This has a wide range of benefits including aphrodisiac. The oil prepared out of Njavara rice is used for a wide range of aches and painful conditions like the cervical spondylosis, low back ache, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis (in some stages) etc. The most important use of Njavara is in Njavarakizhi in which Njavara rice is the base. Oleation to head and body using special cloth pieces containing a smooth paste of Njavara rice cooked in Sida ( Sida rectusa. Lin) decoction and milk, makes the body supple, removes stiffness of joints due to various vitiated Vatha dominant conditions, cleans the body channels, and brings about better blood circulation. It improves complexion, increases appetite, improves digestion, restores relish for food, and corrects the mental irregularities. This makes the body strong and steady, rejuvenated with well-developed musculature. Judicious application of this is very effective in hypertension, skin diseases and prevents premature ageing.
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XII. Institutes involved in rice development in the state and their contribution The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established in 1972 and the agricultural research institutions that were administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry until then were transferred the KAU in 1972. Since then, the agricultural research organization has been restructured for accelerated development of agriculture in the State. In 1981, under the National Agricultural Research Project ( NARP), the rice research activities were again re oriented to conduct location specific production oriented research based on agro-climatic regions. Accordingly, five Regional Agricultural Research Stations for the North, South and Central, High range and Special zones started functioning. At present, rice research is being conducted at the following research stations to cater the needs of the different zones (KAU,1989) Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi in Plalakkad district for the development of laterite midlands. Here research is going on for the Palakkattu plains and black soil zone of Chittoor taluk in the eastern region of Palakkad District also Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. The lead function of the station is to conduct research on rice and rice based farming system for the Onattukara region. Here research is going on in paddy, pulses and oil seeds. Rice Research Station at Moncompu in Alleppey district for Kuttanad zone to conduct research on all aspects of rice cultivation in the submerged Kayal and semi dry Karappadom lands of Kuttanadu agro eco system. Agricultural Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal in Wayanad district to cater to the needs of high range zone. Research Station at Mannuthy in Thrissur district to cater to the needs of the Kole region Rice Research Station at Vytilla in Ernakulam district for the development of Pokkali zone.
Contribution of the Institutes towards rice farming in Kerala :Varieties developed through improvement of local varieties. The earlier attempts for rice improvement before the advent of green revolution were largely concentrated on improving the local varieties through selection. Thirty five rice varieties with the prefix PTB were released from Pattambi, three MO varieties from Moncompu , three VTL varieties from Vytilla , four from Kayamkulam ( two KYLM and two KTR varieties) and two from Ambalawayal ( WND) have all been developed either through mass selection or pure line selection of traditional varieties which
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were popular in the respective regions. Bred for yield improvement over their local progenitors, these varieties combine high yield as well as the special traits of their parents like resistance to pests and diseases, quality attributes, physiological attributes, adaptability to different ecological situations and systems of cultivation. These varieties are internationally acclaimed for their performance and also act as genetic materials profusely used in crop improvement programmes world over.For eg., PTB 7
(Parambuvattan ) is resistant to foot rot and gall midge. PTB 10 (Thekkancheera ), an early duration, photoinsensitive variety which shows good combining ability and is the parent for most of the varieties released nationally and internationally . It is popular in foreign countries like Myanmar, Srilanka, Pakistan, South East Asian countries and in USA.. PTB12 (Chitteni) and 29 (Karuthamodan) are Bacterial Blight resistant varieties. PTB15 and 16 (Kavunginpoothala) are flood tolerant varieties and are good for making pearl rice. PTB 18 is good for beaten rice. PTB18 (Eravapandy) and PTB 21 (Thekkan) are multiple resistant varieties. PTB 18,19, 21 and 33 (Arikkirai) show resistance to BPH. PTB2, 8, 9, 20,21,23 and 28 have good milling and cooking qualities. PTB 27 (Kodiyan), 28 (Kattamoden) and 32 (Arervakari) are gall midge resistant varieties. PTB 23 possesses high protein content ( 12.6%). PTB 28 (Kattamodern) PTB 29 (Karuthamodan) PTB 30 (Chuvannamoodan) and PTB 42 (Suvarnamodan) are upland varieties. WND 1 and WND 2 are suitable for cultivation in high altitude regions as in Wayanad. Kottarakkara 1 is recommended for water logged deep laterite soils. Pokkali varieties VTL 1 and VTL 2 are tolerant to salinity and acidity. Their rice is reported to be in demand in foreign countries for making soup. MO. 1 (Chettivirippu) and MO. 2 ( Kallada champavu) are resistant to grain shattering while MO. 3 ( Kunjathikkira) is acid tolerant. UR 110 and Sagara ( KYLM 5) are suitable for growing in waterlogged marshy areas subjected to saline water intrusion during Mundakan season. Mangala Mahsuri (PTB 53) tolerates iron toxicity and shallow flooding.
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High yielding rice varieties

With the advent of 'Green Revolution', efforts to develop high yielding, dwarf, fertilizer responsive varieties of rice suitable for Kerala was started at Pattambi. Hybridisation work was taken up between the traditional varieties of the state and high yielding varieties like DGWG, IR 8, T (N) 1 etc to transfer the dwarf genes to traditional varieties. The first hybrid derivative, Annapoorna (PTB35), the first high yielding, early, dwarf rice for South East Asia was released in India in 1966, the same year in which IRRI released the variety IR 8. This was widely adopted with the known management practices for raising high yielding varieties with respect to the fertilizer application, use of pesticides etc. This brought about a great revolution in total rice production scenario of the state with an average yield of nearly 5t/ha. This was followed by a series of varieties like Rohini, Aswathy, Triveni, Jyothi, Bharathy, Sabari and Suvarnamodan. The rice variety Jyothi released in 1974 still continues to be the prominent variety in Kerala due its good cooking quality and is also grown in other States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc. The variety Rohini has a high protein content ( > 12%) and is considered good for diabetic patients.
Efforts to develop desirable mutants of the traditional tall indicas of Kerala were initiated in the Kerala Agricultural University during early seventies. The traditional tall varieties were subjected to irradiation at varying doses to change the plant type without disturbing other important characters viz adaptability to varying agro-ecological conditions, resistance / tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and red kernel colour. An awnless, early maturing (10-15 days early) mutant was isolated in the M2
generation of the gamma () ray treated population of Oorpandy, the long awned saline resistant local variety of Ernakulam district in Kerala. Based on the performance of this line in station trials and farm trials, it was released as Rasmi in 1985. The variety is resistant to gall midge, BPH and blast and is used as a donor for multiple resistance in the rice breeding programmes at the national level. Dwarf mutants of MO1, a selection from Chettivirippu, the tall indica variety of the coastal region of Kerala, obtained in the M5 generation were tested for yield in the research stations under the Kerala Agricultural University. The most efficient mutant among these viz ., Cul. MO. I. 20- 19- 4, which had profuse tillers and high grain yield was released for general cultivation as Remanika in 1998. It exhibits high resistance to BPH and moderate resistance to diseases like sheath blight, sheath rot and pests like gall midge, the major biotic stresses for rice in Kerala
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Induced mutagenesis of improved traditional rice varieties like Oorpandy, PTB 1 (Aryan), PTB 7 (Parambuvattan), PTB 9 (Thavalakkannan) PTB 10 (Thekkancheera), PTB 20 ( Vadakkan Chitteni ) etc. also yielded mutants with grain yield comparable to the parents, but possessing high genetic variability for morphological and physiological attributes. These mutants have been used as parents in the
hybridisation programmes in the University and several varieties viz Harsha ( PTB 55), Varsha ( PTB 56), Chingam ( KYLM 6) and Gouri ( MO.20)have been developed and released for general cultivation in the state. Rice varieties with resistance to Biotic stresses Introduction of varieties like T(N) 1, IR 8 etc, which were high yielding but susceptible to the pests and diseases of tropical region resulted in an outbreak of pests, mainly Brown plant hopper (Bph). The crop improvement programmes of the University were re oriented giving emphasis to
development of varieties with built in resistance tobiotic stresses. In 1978, the first high yielding rice variety from Moncompu viz., MO4 (Bhadra) possessing resistance to brown plant hopper was released through hybridisation and selection. From the breeding programmes at Pattambi, some multiple resistant cultures viz., Cul. 1686 and Cul. 1727 which showed better resistance to pests and diseases were further evaluated and Cul. 1727 was released as Jayathi in 1992 . This was followed by the development and release of varieties like Aruna, Makom, Kanakom from RRS, Moncompu and Onam and Bhagya from RRS, Kayamkulam Realising the importance of multiple resistant rice varieties in IPM, efforts were taken up by the different rice research stations under the Kerala Agricultural University in this regard. In 1993, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi came out with four multiple resistant rice varieties viz., Kairaly, Kanchana, Aathira and Aiswaya. This was followed by Mangala Mahsuri and Karuna in 1998 possessing resistance both biotic and abiotic stresses so as to cater the diverse needs of the farmers of the central zone of Kerala comprising of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malppuram districts of Kerala. In Kuttanad gall midge attack appeared sporadically during the eighties and a severe incidence occurred in 1990 and later in 1996, damaging the rice crop in about 30,000 ha and bringing about a loss of Rs. Eight crores. The strain of gall midge was identified as GM Biotype 5. Research efforts were initiated at Rice Research Station, Moncompu in the eighties itself which resulted in the development of three gall midge resistant varieties and the timely release of these varieties viz, Uma, Pavithra and
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Panchami in 1998 could combat the problem of Gall midge to a great extent in Kuttanad. Another major problem of rice cultivation in Kuttanad viz., Blast disease was brought under control with the development of Renjini with blast resistance which was also released from RRS Moncompu. During 2002, another rice variety Gouri which is moderately resistant to sheath blight was released from Rice Research Station, Moncompu, followed by Prathyasa, a short duration rice variety for the double cropped wet lands of Kuttanad during 2009. Rice varieties resistant to abiotic stresses Programmes to evolve varieties with resistance or tolerance to abiotic stresses viz., flood, cold, drought, salinity, soil problems like acidity, alkalinity and sulphide injury etc. were also under-taken by the Kerala Agricultural University. Breeding for Flood tolerance has resulted in the identification and release of one flood tolerant high yielding variety BR 51-315-4 christened Neeraja in 1992 from RARS, Pattambi and two varieties from Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam viz, Makaram & Kumbham which are photosensitive long duration varieties, evolved through pure line selection from the local cultivar Cheradi. Two dwarf, white riced cultures, viz., Cul 745 and Cul 796 with 160-165 days duration giving good germination under low temperature were identified at RARS, Pattambi . Rice varieties for the Khariff season of Palakkad and Onattukara in Kerala needed drought resistance since the seeds are dry sown with the receipt of pre monsoon showers and the seedlings suffer water scarcity for almost a month before regular monsoon starts. Breeding work at RARS, Pattambi and Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam has identified two rice varieties Harsha for Palakkad and Chingam for Onattukara respectively. Breeding programmes for salinity resistance is carried out at mainly at Vytilla and some initial works were carried out at RARS, Pattambi and RRS, Kayamkulam also. From RRS, Vytilla, eight rice varieties viz., Vytilla 1 to Vytilla 8 with resistance to salinity have been released so far. From Rice Research Station, Kayamkulam, one variety Sagara which is a Pure line selection from the traditional variety Orumundakan was released for cultivation in the saline areas of Karthikappally taluk of Kerala. Soil problems like acidity, alkalinity and sulphide injury were limiting rice production in the Kari areas of Kerala viz., Karumady, Purakkad etc. and breeding works were initiated at RRS, Moncompu during 1984 to develop rice varieties which can tolerate such soil problems. Two rice varieties viz.,
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Karishma and Krihnanjana were released during 1998 which can tolerate acidity and sulphide injury and can give moderate levels of yield to farmers. XIII Constraints in rice production a. Biotic stress - Insects, Diseases, Nematodes, rodents, and weeds.
Kerala is a hot spot for pests and diseases. The high humidity and temperature of the rice growing environments during the cropping periods increases the incidence of pests and diseases. Major insect pests include BPH, Stem borer, Gall midge, leaf roller and rice bug and minor pests include thrips, case worm, blue beetle, whorl maggot etc. The minor pests are slowly emerging as major pests threatening rice cultivation in the State.
Fungal diseases like Blast, Sheath blight, Sheath rot, Brown spot, False smut, Leaf scald and grain discoloration, Bacterial diseases like bacterial leaf blight, and viral diseases like Rice Tungro Virus, Grassy Stunt Virus etc. cause severe damage to rice crop in Kerala.
Rodents cause almost 25-30 % crop loss in rice in Kuttanad. The major spp. found in Kuttanad rice fields are Bandicota bengalensis, Tatera indica, and Bandicota indica .
The major weeds of Kerala are Alternanthera, Aeschynomene , Cleome sp., Cyperus sp., Echinochloa sp.(Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli and Echinochloa glabrascence),
Eichornea, Fimbristylis miliaceae, Grangea maderaspatana ,Hydrolea, Monochoria, , Lindernia, Ludwigia parviflora, Oldenlandia, Phyllanthus, Salvinia, Sphaeranthus indicus ,Sphenoclea
zeylanica, Wild rice etc. Of this, Cyperus sp. is the most abundant weed sp. present in all the rice growing tracts of Kerala and Grangea maderaspatana is observed mainly in the kole lands of Kerala .
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b. Abiotic stress Temperature, cold, drought, water logging, sodic, saline problems.
Salinity
Kerala with its long coastal line of about 580 km has several lagoons or backwaters covering a very large area linked to the sea. In most of the coastal land, deltaic areas at river mouths and reclaimed backwaters are either at sea level or 1.0 to 1.5 m below MSL. This leads to intrusion of sea water upto a distance of 10 to 20 km upstream during high tides. These periodically saline water inundated lands constitute the major saline soil areas of the State covering an area of 30,000 ha.
Zinc and Copper deficiency Zinc deficiency is noticed in 30% of Kuttanad area (approx. 9000 ha). Copper deficiency is noticed in 21% of the Kuttanad area ( approx 6300 ha).
Calcium and Magnesium deficiency Calcium deficiency is noticed in 30 % of Kuttanad area (approx. 9000 ha). Magnesium deficiency is noticed in 16 % of Kuttanad area (approx. 4800 ha).
Cold In High ranges, cold stress is experienced in Winter which coincides with the Punja crop. Drought In Palakkad and Onattukara ecosystems, drought is a stress limiting rice production in Kharif season. Drought is also experienced during the fag end of Rabi season in Eastern Palakkad, where maximum area is under irrigation and water shortage is experienced during summer months.
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Flash floods and saline water intrusion in the coastal areas and Kuttanad, drought in Palakkad and Onattukara, and soil problems including acidity, iron toxicity, sulphide injury etc. in the Kari soils are the major abiotic stresses limiting rice production in the state Economics of rice production in the state Rice is a socially and politically important crop of Kerala. The wet humid tropical climate of Kerala is conducive to the cultivation of rice and traditionally rice occupied a prime position in Keralas agriculture However, area under rice has been declining over the years, with a possibility of extinction of rice farming in the state. The livelihood security of the rural agrarian population revolving around rice farming is in danger. The employment opportunities in this sector, especially for women are declining at a rapid rate. It has become important to sustain and promote rice cultivation by promoting the multiple livelihood opportunities linked with rice farming, among the socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Escalating cost of production is weaning away rice farmers from cultivation. Rice being a labour intensive crop, apprehensions of agricultural labourers on area conversion are also not unfounded. The plight of an estimated 50 lakh bovine population of the state can be at stake since paddy straw is their only source of sustenance. Environmental and ecological implications of large scale area conversion from rice can be disturbing. For example, in 1975, Keralas rice production of 13.5 lakh tons was over 50 per cent of her consumption requirement. By 2010 the consumption production gap has increased to 84 per cent. As rice remains the staple food, food security of the state is at stake and dependency on other States for our staple food is increasing dangerously. Employment prospects of agricultural labourers are becoming bleak. The requirement of human labour for rice cultivation is very high in Kerala ie., around 148 man days constituting more than 70% of the total cost. A study on the decennial changes in the structure of cost of cultivation per ha. of rice in Kuttanad showed that between 1988 and 1998, share of expenditure on human labour increased substantially from 42 per cent to 61 per cent and has still increased during 200304. A census on agricultural labourers shows marginal increase, but the fact is that the number of labourers is also dwindling. There have been reports that average age of women agricultural labour
force in the rice bowls of the state is above 60. This has eroded the efficiency of labour.
The average cost of rice production is highest in Kerala when compared o other States. As per the latest report of the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices. Government of
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India, the cost of production per ha in Kerala is Rs. 20224 , while the production/ha is only 38.78 quintals. Now with increase in support prices, there is a renewed interest in rice cultivation in the state
XVII. Strategies and modern techniques to enhance rice production
New strategies need be formulated for achieving the production target of 12 lakh tones during 200809, both through area expansion as well as productivity enhancement. Measures will also be taken to augment the income from rice based farming to attract more farmers to rice cultivation.
a. Area expansion Intensive efforts will be taken to arrest further conversion of paddy lands so as to retain the existing paddy area and at the same time, bring more fallow land under cultivation, promote lease land cultivation and also convert sizable area from single crop to double crop and double to triple crop. The programme envisages to enhance the existing area of 2.63 lakh ha to 3.0 lakh ha in a phased manner through 1. Bringing additional area under paddy by cultivating paddy in cultivable fallow lands 2. Increasing upland rice cultivation
b. Productivity enhancement
The current productivity of 2.30/ha has to be increased to 4.0 t/ha so as to achieve the production target of 12.0 t from 3.0 lakh ha. This increased productivity could be achieved through popularization of high yielding rice varieties and rice hybrids in larger areas and promotion of scientific rice farming through group approach in a participatory mode. The programmes envisaged for increasing productivity of rice in Kerala include
1. Revitalizing Group farming Programme 2. Constitution of farm advisory service for each district 3. Popularization of High Yielding Varieties of rice 4. Integrated nutrient management based on soil test data 5. Organizing frontline demonstrations for maximizing profitability of rice
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6. Production, multiplication and distribution of quality seed to ensure supply of right seeds in the right quantity at the right time. 7. Integrated Pest Management 8. Encouraging farm mechanization 9. Minimising Post harvest loss 10. Strengthening the Kerala State Seed Development Authority 11. Strengthening of Paddy Development Agencies and other agencies involved in Rice cultivation in Kerala 12. Providing interest free loan to rice farmers at the start of the season 13. Insurance to paddy crop against natural calamities c. Augmenting income from rice based farming Rice farming has to be made more remunerative to attract more farmers for which measures to augment income from rice based farming has to be formulated. The programmes envisaged under this programme include 1. Providing supplementary income to rice farmers 2. Popularization of Organic rice and ethnic special rice varieties 3. Integrated rice-fish culture
XVIII. Conclusion and way forward
Food grain production is becoming a matter of concern for India as a whole and Kerala in particular. Rice is the staple food of malayalees and as Keralas population continues to grow steadily, demand for rice is also growing. It is only past history that the former princely State of Travancore, a constituent of the present Kerala, had made great progress in providing food security for its people and was also exporting rice till the middle of the last century. The food scene in Kerala is turning grim as factors ranging from global to local accelerate the scarcity and price hike of food grains. Our land and water resources are declining and we have been experiencing shortage of our main food grain- rice- even for own consumption at least from the beginning of the present century. The challenge facing our Government for the next few years will be to feed the escalating population, keeping the prices low to benefit poor consumers and reducing production costs to benefit poor growers. To feed a population of 3.2 crores, Kerala
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has to produce approximately 38- 40 lakh tones of food grains every year at the minimum per capita food availability of 320 g , while the actual production is only around 6 lakh tones, less than 1/6th of the requirement. In other words, 84 % of the food grain required for Kerala comes from neighboring states.
The gap between demand and supply of rice which was around fifty percent till the mid seventies was widening every year as the area under rice declined at a very fast rate due to large scale conversion of paddy lands for raising other cash crops such as coconut, rubber, banana, etc. or for residential purposes. Since the mid seventies, area under rice in Kerala has been declining continuously. In 1970-71 the gross area under paddy was 8.75 lakh ha. This came down to 2.29 lakhs ha in 2007-08. An examination of the data on area and production in rice in Kerala during the last three decades shows that there is decline to the tune of 73.6 % in rice area with a corresponding decrease of 54.2 % in production. At present, rice is grown in a
gross area of 2.34 lakh ha producing 6.25 lakh tonnes with a productivity of 2671 kg.
With the gap between production and requirement of food grain widening every year, Keralas food scene is turning gloomy. The steeping increase in food prices indicates the states large dependence on other states and an urgent need of a mechanism to face the imminent food crisis. While keeping rice prices low remains in the best interests of poverty reduction, it can hurt poor rice growers in rural areas where the size of land holdings are small and rice farming is the main source of employment to the family. Rice related policies need to take into account the possible impacts- positive and negative on those who depend on rice as a source of food as well as income. Hence increasing rice production while keeping production costs low should the first step in reducing poverty especially in rural areas. Among the strategies for increasing rice production in the State, area expansion needs immediate attention since Kerala cannot afford to any more conversion of paddy lands , ecologically or economically. The Kerala Conservation Of Paddy Land And Wetland Act, 2008 has to be implemented in its true sense to arrest further conversion of paddy lands and to protect the existing paddy lands. The ecosystem services provided by the rice systems need be recognized and intensive efforts have to be taken to bring back all the fallow land under cultivation by providing institutional support for developing the required infra structural facilities and by promoting lease land cultivation wherever owners of paddy
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lands are unable to continue rice farming. There is also scope of horizontal expansion of area under rice cultivation during Kharif by exploiting the potential of upland rice. Coconut based cropping system is the most predominant cropping system of Kerala which offers wide scope for raising upland rice as an intercrop in coconut garden. In Kerala, coconut is raised in an area of about 8.99 lakh ha . An area of 6000-7000 ha per year can be brought under upland cultivation, using appropriate varieties and technologies. There is also possibility of expansion of area through increasing crop intensity in areas where irrigation facilities are available. Another relevant question that arises is whether we will be able to increase the food grain production in the coming years once the net-cropped area remains the same. Much of the additional food demand in the future will have to be met through productivity enhancement. The current productivity of of 2.6 t/ha has to be increased to 5.0 t/ha so as to achieve the production target of 15.0 lakh tones by 2015. There are good short- and medium-term potentials for increasing rice yield levels, cropping intensity and unit area productivity in the different rice ecosystems. The production constraints in different areas and regions may be identified and separate packages need be formulated for increasing productivity. Maximum productivity potentials can be achieved by developing appropriate irrigation facilities for double cropping in lowland areas. This is especially relevant is the Districts of Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad , where the higher productivity of Rabi/ Summer rice can be exploited by creating or improving the irrigation facilities. The timely availability of inputs especially quality seeds is to be ensured for increasing the production of rice. As the population keeps growing, water scarcity and competition for water will be on the high. To keep up with the food needs of our increasing population, rice cultivation has to adapt to water scarcity, drought, flooding, salinity and also threats posed by erratic climates imposed by climate change. Climate change may impact our food grain production and productivity in more ways than one. It is expected to increase the frequency of droughts and floods and also increase temperatures which will have a negative impact on yields. Simulations predict that for every 10C rise in temperature, there is a corresponding 7% decline in rice yield. Developing rice varieties that are less sensitive to such changes is the option for thriving such situations. Greater investment in research and extension is needed to meet these challenges.
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XIX.
Future thrust in rice production technologies
Among the rice production technologies, development of suitable machines for the differenrt ec osystems of Kerala is of prime importance considering the shrinking labour force of the state. Other areas which needs consideration are
1. Conservation and molecular characterisation of land races of Kerala for specific attributes 2. Developing climate resilient rice varieties esp. varieties for heat and drought stress, submergence and salinity. 3. Development of suitable varieties for irrigated and rainfed ecosystems through recombination breeding in conjunction with marker assisted selection
4. Research on medicinal rices of Kerala,including collection, conservation and utilisation of the medicinal rice diversity in Kerala, Nutritional and biochemical profiling of the medicinal rice germplasm, Documentation of ITK on the medicinal rice cultivars in Kerala, Clinical validation of the medicinal properties of the medicinal rice cultivars,Breeding programmes to improve the plant architecture to make them more acceptable for wider use and production and supply of quality seeds of the required varieties.
5. Genetic enhancement of nutritive value of rice through conventional and biotechnological tools.
6. Development of high yielding red rice hybrids suited for Kerala with better grain quality and pest and disease resistance.
7. Development of reliable markers for genes conferring biotic and abiotic stress resistance, yield and quality related trait genes and their effective utilization of marker technology in crop improvement.
8. Identification, characterization and functional analysis of novel genes or better alleles related to stress tolerance, yield and quality traits, nutrient and resource use efficiency using functional genomic and bioinformatics tools.
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9. Bridging the yield gap through identifying productivity constraints in each eco system and developing remedial measures 10. Agronomic management for harnessing maximum output through increased resource use efficiency 11. Integrated nutrient and crop management strategies to increase unit area production. 12. Developing Organic farming and Integrated crop management approaches for sustainability of rice farming systems. 13. Efficient use of biomass on the farm achieving a higher level of energy sufficiency and use of solar, wind and water energy which can provide much needed additional energy in farming systems.
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Reference
1. KAU .1989. NARP Status Report Central Zone Vol. I Directorate of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur . p 53-60 2. KAU 2007. Package of Practices, Directorate of Extension Kerala Agricultural University Thrissur . 3. Leena Kumary. S .2004. Genetic Improvement of rice varieties in Kerala. In Sharma S. D and U. Prasada Rao ( eds) Genetic Improvement of rice varieties of India . Today and Tomorrow Publishers, New Delhi. P. 689-741 4. Leena Kumary. S. 2007. Biodiversity of rice in Kerala. In Paddy cultivation in Kerala (Ed) Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam and Published by Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment p.33-45
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Rice Production in Kerala

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RICE IN KERALA

Status Paper on Rice in Kerala

I.NAME OF THE STATE II. INTRODUCTION

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

3.10 2.87 2.90 2.75 2.63 2.29 2.34 2.34

6.88 5.70 6.67 6.30 6.41 5.28 5.90 6.25

2218 1984 2300 2285 2435 2306 2521 2671

7.Malayorum 8.Palakkadu plains 9. Red loam

Rice Eco Systems of Kerala

Coastal Sandy Southern Midlands

Rice Prawn/ Rice- fallow

Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables, FallowRice fallow

Rice- Rice- fallow/ Rice Rice- Vegetables Rice- Rice- Legumes

System / Region/ Season Situation

Varieties High yielding Varieties

Upland (Modan land) Purely rainfed First crop

Suvarnamodan, Annapoorna, Rohini, Swarnaprabha, Aiswarya, Uma, Vaisakh

Ahalya, Varsha, Rohini, Karthika, Aruna, Makom, Revathy, Remanika,

Gouri, Aathira, Aiswarya

Annapurna, Mattatriveni, Jyothy, Swarnaprabha,

Kairali, Kanchana, Karthika, Makom, Revathy, Remanika, Krishnanjana,

Remya, Kanakom, Renjini, Pavithra, Panchami, Uma, Gouri.

ill-drained First crop Remya, Arathy

regions of southern districts

Makaram, Kumbham, Dhanu, Thulaam, Mangalamahsuri

Waterlogged and First crop flooded areas

IR-5, Pankaj, Jagannath, H4, Mahsuri, Neeraja, Mangalamahsuri, Ezhome-2

Aswathy, Jaya, Sabari, Bharathy, Bhadra, Deepthi, Aathira, IR 8

Chitoor black soil

ASD 16, ASD 17, Mahsuri, Varsha, ADT 43, Uma

b. Most popular rice varieties / hybrids of the state

Traditional use as medicine

Used as a healthy baby food

Used in treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting.

High yielding rice varieties

Future thrust in rice production technologies

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