On November 18, 2023, the CREATE team, comprised of Prof. Dr. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, Mr. K. Suresh Kanna, Project Director of CREATE, and Prof. Dr. Karthikeyan, conducted a follow-up visit to Mr. Balaraman’s Rice Diversity Block in Kilnagar Village of Thiruvannamalai, as part of the AEF Project. The Rice Diversity Block is dedicated to cultivating 21 traditional paddy varieties, with each variety allocated 5 cents of land. The enlisted varieties include Sourna Masuri, Black Kouni, Seeraga Samba, Vaasanai Seeraga Samba, Thulasi Vaasanai Seeraga Samba, Kamban Samba, Mysore Malli, Sivan Samba, Chinnar, Milagu Samba, Thuyamalli, Mappillai Samba, Thanga Samba, Kaattu Yaaman, Illuppaipoo Samba, Kullangkar, Kaala Bath, Kaalanamak, Rethasaali, Poongar, and Rosappu Samba.

Employing a rope, the seedlings are strategically planted using strip planting. The land underwent meticulous preparation with green manuring as basal fertilizers. Following the planting, a top dressing with Enriched Farm Yard Manure was applied.

The crops are thriving well, and Mr. Balaraman plans to administer another dose of Enriched FYM. Additionally, he intends to plant green manure in the gaps between varieties, showcasing an impressive commitment to organic principles.

The interaction with Mr. Balaraman instills hope that his farm will evolve into a resource center, meeting the seed requirements of numerous farmers and inspiring them to embrace traditional paddy varieties. During the visit, the team also explored his Mini Rice Mill and Oil extracting unit, which operates efficiently with the aid of solar power. This unit caters to the processing needs of both his crops and neighboring farmers.