Rice Diversity Block

Neelamangalam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu

This RDB is managed by the farm family of Mrs. Egavalli, Mr. Gangadharan, and their daughter, Ms. Sentamil Arasi, at Sundaravalli Organic Research Farm. With support from CREATE under the AEF project, they are maintaining the RDB with 30 traditional paddy varieties, six of which are native to Chengalpattu District. They are: 

Sivasamba, Seeraga Samba, Chinnaar, Sigappu Chinnar, White Chinnai, Milagu Samba, Thuyamalli, Vasanai Seeraga Samba, Thulasi Vasanai Seeraga Samba, Thanga Samba, Mani Samba, Mappillai Samba, Vadan Samba, Athur Kitchali Samba, Pisini, Annam Azhagi, Arupatham Kuruvai, Kullakkar, Paal Kudavazhai, Vayakunda, Thengaipoo Samba, Vaalan, Kalarpaalai, Nellaiyappar, Karungkuruvai, Karuppu Kouni, Rathasaalli, Poongaar, Kaatu Yaanam, Rosappu Samba.   

Initially, the farm family aimed to cultivate over 50 traditional paddy varieties, but heavy rainfall in November 2024 damaged the paddy nursery field, preventing the transplantation of seedlings for more than 20 varieties. Despite this setback, they remain hopeful about recovering high-quality seeds from the nursery field.

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