An exhibition and sale in Thiruvananthapuram celebrates rice diversity
The Hindu
City-based NGO Thanal organises a display of 120 kinds of paddy seeds, 90 kinds of grains and the sale of 50 varieties of rice
A paddy that can hide an elephant among its stalks is kattuyanam. The name is derived from the Tamil words kattu (kaddu meaning forest) and yanai (elephant). A resilient paddy grown in the delta of the Cauvery basin in Tamil Nadu, it is flood- and drought-resistant. Growing up to a height of seven feet, the sturdy paddy, a red rice, is mentioned in Tamil literature that is around 2,400 years old, making it one of the ancient rice varieties that is still cultivated and consumed in India. In the context of climate change, the cultivation of this stress-tolerant rice is of great help to farmers, since the straw can also be sold.
Kattuyanam will be displayed as part of an exhibition of paddy seeds and grains, including sale of select varieties, which is on till November 1 at the Thanal sales outlet in Jawahar Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram. It is organised by the NGO Thanal, which has been spearheading Save the Rice Campaign, in association with Organic Bazaar.
“The exhibition showcases 120 kinds of seeds and 90 kinds of grains. Fifty kinds of grain will be for sale,” says Manju, CEO-designate, Thanal.