Problems and prospects of cultivation of indigenous rice landraces of Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, India with special reference to Tulaipanji

Abstract

The district Uttar Dinajpur of West Bengal is bestowed with very fertile soil, which helps to grow paddy and other agricultural crops. Cultivation of indigenous rice has been practiced by farmers since ancient times. Indigenous rice has several socio-economic, ecological and genetical aspects but the major problem lies in their comparatively low output. The diversity of indigenous rice landraces has been drastically reduced due to the introduction of high yielding varieties (HYVs). Through extensive survey it has been found that about 74 indigenous rice land races were available in different blocks of the district, but among them only about 20 varieties are now in farmers' hand while more than 70% of them are not cultivated in practical field. In India, the indigenous aromatic rice landrace Tulaipanji (GI 530) is only grown in Raiganj sub-division of Uttar Dinajpur and small pockets of Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal. Due to its aroma and quality this rice could make the position in global market through proper marketing. A phylogenetic study of the rice landraces has been performed and observed that only three of them i.e., Tulaipanji, Radhunipagal and Gobindavog are closely related to each other, which also has the close lineage with the Asian wild-rice (Oryza rufipogon). Today's society demands the interaction and incorporation of scientific technology for the upliftment of indigenous rice landrace sustainable cultivation. Really it has the immense scope and prospects, which ultimately save the human life from notorious diseases.

Triple Problems of Nepalese Hills: Low Income, Migration and, Land Use Changes – One Possible Solution: Specialty Rice

“…While 2500 accessions have been systematically cataloged by the NAGRC/NARC, a significant portion of the germplasm remains uncharacterized [23]. The exclusive adoption of semi-dwarf alien advanced and uniform rice varieties has led to the slow and steady extinction of indigenous rice landraces [25]. Farmers ceased maintaining their indigenous seed stocks while simultaneously purchasing rice seeds from the market that had good and uniform yields and were responsive to inputs.…”

Genetic characterization and diversity analysis of indigenous aromatic rice

“…Having an abundance of indigenous aromatic rice landraces, this area is considered one of the pioneers in rice cultivation in India. From this region two cultivars, namely Tulaipanji [ 5 ], and Kalonunia, have garnered significant interest on the global stage and have been granted geographical indication status (GI).…”

Characterization of Nepalese rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces for qualitative traits

“…These considerable numbers of landraces can provide vital information for the breeding of crop and in the handling of genetic resources. Indigenous rice landraces have been gradually fading out due to absolute use of semi-dwarf exotic advanced and homogeneous rice (Biswas et al, 2021). While farmers acquired high and uniform yielding, input responsive rice seeds from the market, they stopped saving their indigenous seed stocks.…”