Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Erosion of traditional seed supply system in Murshidabad district of West Bengal: A study with reference to the erosion of rice diversity in the district

Author(s):

Ali Ahammad Taher Hasan. Sabuj Kumar Chaudhuri

Recieved Date: 2020-01-16, Accepted Date: 2020-03-20

Abstract:

This study aims to explore the erosion of traditional seed supply system (TSSS) in Murshidabad district of West Bengal with reference to the erosion of rice diversity in the district. Agriculture is the main occupation of Murshidabad because of its favourable climate and quality of soil. Varieties of crops like paddy (Aus, Aman, Boro), jute, wheat, mustard, potato, sugarcane, pulses and different types of vegetables are produced in considerable amount throughout the year in the district. In Pre-Kharif (March-June), though there is scarcity of water, Boro paddy thrives on irrigation. In Kharif season (June-December) farmers mainly rely on monsoon rain. In this season Aman paddy dominates the farmer’s field and in Rabi season (mid November – February) Aus paddy, wheat, pulses and wide varieties of vegetables are produced. The investigator has interviewed 400 cultivators from all the 26 community development blocks in the district and found that 164 varieties of rice were once available in the farmer’s field and now only 12 are being cultivated marginally. The investigator also found that 18.25% cultivator who still use to cultivate traditional rice, select, conserve and exchange seeds among themselves. In case of high yielding varieties farmers generally prefer to buy seeds from the market for consistent yield. A very little percentage (21.75%) of farmers keeps HYV seeds for the next year’s planting material. Promotion and conservation of TSSS are a must to maintain agro-biodiversity and ensure food security.

Keywords:

Murshidabad, traditional seed supply system, biodiversity, traditional knowledge, traditional rice

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2020
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 110-113

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