Rice Diversity Block
Kirigavalu village, Malavalli taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka
As part of the Agro Ecology Fund, CREATE’s team visited the Organic Rice Diversity Block of Mr. Syed Ghani Khan in Kirigavalu village, Mandya district, Karnataka, on December 6, 2023. The visit included:
Traditional Rice Diversity Block: Home to 1350 traditional paddy varieties, functioning as a living seed bank preserving diverse seeds.
Mandya Rice Museum: A curated living rice museum with 1350 varieties, serving as a knowledge center for studying paddy plant profiles and showcasing rice-based art and crafts.
Mini Rice Mill: Mr. Ghani Khan’s unit, powered by solar energy with support from Selco India, mills organic paddy in small quantities, providing a sustainable alternative in regions with unstable power supply.
Traditional Rice Diversity Block
Mr. Syed Ghani Khan’s farm conserves around 1350 traditional paddy varieties, making it a living seed bank for diverse paddy varieties nationwide. The on-field conservation, coupled with the evolutionary processes of growing varieties each year, ensures a continuous supply of germplasm. Instead of using freezers, he skillfully practices on-field seed conservation, identifying and preserving the best seeds. A portion of his plot is dedicated to maintaining a seed bank, preventing the disappearance of these varieties. The seeds, with a shelf life of 18 months, include wetland, dryland, medicinal, aromatic, and irrigated rice. He generously supplies organic seeds free of cost to fellow organic farmers and has successfully reintroduced lost traditional varieties, preserving the ancestral wisdom for future generations.
Mandya Rice Museum
Mr. Syed Ghani Khan has curated a living rice museum with approximately 1350 carefully harvested varieties. Panicles laden with grain are meticulously preserved, and the museum serves as a knowledge center where visitors can study the entire paddy plant’s profile, including its structure, plant growth, and root growth. Each plant is marked with variety names and numbers, arranged systematically. Additionally, Mr. Khan creates fine and artistic jewelry from rice grains and other rice-based handicrafts.
Mini Rice Mill
Mr. Ghani Khan’s Mini Rice Mill unit, equipped with a pre-cleaner, huller, separator, destoner, and grader, is dedicated to milling organic paddy from his field and other local organic farmers. This unit allows milling even in small quantities compared to commercial rice milling units. Due to unstable power supply, he sought alternatives, and Selco India provided support in establishing a solar-backed sustainable energy solution. This initiative not only reduced electricity bills but also supported the installation of a cold storage unit by Selco India to preserve traditional paddy varieties at the Rice Museum.
The visit proved insightful, showcasing how an RDB can integrate with related components such as a museum and a mini rice mill. This innovative approach encourages and motivates both consumers and farmers. A follow-up plan is underway to leverage Mr. Ghani Khan’s expertise in approaching Selco India and replicating similar initiatives in Tamil Nadu, where RDBs are established.
