SoC from Sri Lanka: Traditional wisdom to the rescue - paddy rice

Title: Traditional wisdom to the rescue
Storyteller: S.B. Ranjith
Location: Manajjawa, Ambalanthota
Project: Improving Livelihoods & Market Access for Small Scale Tsunami Affected Paddy Farmers
Collected by: Varuna Rathnabarathie (project manager) & Hemantha
Abeywardana ( consultant)
Collected on: 25th May 2007


I am Ranjith. I took up paddy farming just like my forefathers before me. Our paddy lands have always had a high level of salinity due to the proximity to the sea and harvests have been low. The sea water that gushed with the Tsunami of 2004 got deposited in the paddy fields in this area and further aggravated this condition. Due to the high level of salinity in the field, paddy seedlings started dying. Little by little, with each season, the harvest reduced. After the third season it became almost impossible to plant paddy. The modern hybrid varieties of paddy which we were used to growing were unsuccessful in this high saline condition. We were on the verge of abandoning the only form of livelihood we knew.

It was at this crucial juncture (2005 September) that two organizations, namely Practical Action and the National Federation for the Conservation of Traditional Seeds and Agricultural Resources (NFCTSAR) came forward to help us. This problem had been highlighted in the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) which was conducted in our village following the Tsunami. These organizations suggested that we grow 10 traditional rice varieties on a trial basis. They said according to indigenous knowledge there are certain traditional rice varieties suitable for growing in saline conditions and they had done some trials which proved this. NFCTSAR provided us the required seed paddy. They also trained us on appropriate cultivation methods. Sixteen farmers in this area (including myself) tried out these traditional varieties for 3 seasons. At first we were rather sceptical. However to our surprise and delight, seven of the varieties did in fact flourish in the saline conditions.


We used organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers for growing these traditional varieties, as recommended by the above organizations. During the same period, a modern hybrid paddy variety was cultivated in the paddy field adjoining mine. This paddy field was fertilized with costly chemical fertilizer. Pesticides had to be sprayed as well to safeguard the crop from pest attacks. Finally this was largely unsuccessful. I on the other hand used only organic fertilizer, the raw material for which could be easily sourced within the village with minimal cost. Pesticides were unnecessary since the indigenous seed paddy was capable of resisting pest attacks. I realized that If I grew these varieties commercially, the cost of production could be reduced significantly.


Our trials revealed another unexpected result. In the case of certain saline resistant traditional rice varieties such as “Rathdel”, “Dahanala”, “Madathawalu” and “Pachchaperumal” the yields were high. Earlier when we grew modern paddy varieties, we got only 15 to 20 bushels from an acre. Now with these traditional indigenous varieties of paddy, yields can be as high as of 60 to 70 bushels per acre.

The biggest problem we faced even prior to the tsunami was that prices for modern varieties was low and hence there was almost no profit for small scale farmers such as myself. We are told some consumers are willing to pay high prices for organically grown traditional rice varieties. Although we are able to sell whatever amount we produce, we are yet to properly link with established marketing channels. Thus we are still facing some problems in disposing the crop on time. What we need now is an efficient system to market our produce.

Because of the help we received from the above organizations we able to put our paddy land to productive use. If not for these organizations we would never have known or believed that there were traditional varieties suitable for cultivating in saline paddy lands. We were used to modern varieties and thought that these would bring forth a better yield. However after receiving training and observing the results I am now convinced that growing traditional rice varieties is a good option for saline affected paddy fields such as mine.


Domain : Attitudinal change

Reasons for selecting this story

ü There is evidence that the individual has realized and is convinced of the merits of cultivating traditional rice varieties especially in saline conditions
ü Shows keenness to continue growing traditional varieties
ü Is open about the problem of linking with markets thus providing useful feedback for improving our efforts
ü Without the intervention the paddy land mentioned in the testimonial would have be abandoned and unproductive.