Vibha Varshini from the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi, has said that having realised the importance of traditional foods for family food security, hundreds of farmers were returning to indigenous crops.Inaugurating the two-day ‘Desi Rice Fair’ organised by Sahaja Samruddha at Urban Oasis Mall in Hubballi on Saturday, she said that the work of local farmer groups in conserving, cultivating, and directly marketing traditional and indigenous rice to consumers was commendable.“For hundreds of years, farmers have been conserving and cultivating local rice varieties. Indigenous rice has grown along with our food culture and traditions. It is everyone’s responsibility to pass on these varieties to the next generation. Consumers must use them to improve their health.”Director of Urban Oasis Mall Deepak S. Lulla said that as traditional varieties were rich in nutrients consumers should protect their health by using them.Prema Lokkundi, head of Renuka Mahila Sangha, which has organised farmers from Kundagol and Shiggaon taluks (semi-Malenadu region) into a ‘Desi Rice Growers Collective,’ briefed about their efforts.“We have red rice varieties like Dodyaga, Navilu Sali, Dambara Sali, Uduru Sali that grow in rainfed conditions. Since there is little local demand, these delicious varieties are going to Goa and Kerala”, she said requesting the local consumers to use the indigenous varieties in the interest of their health.Earlier, Director of Sahaja Samrudha G. Krishna Prasad said that Karnataka was the homeland of rice diversity but hundreds of varieties had disappeared due to lack of use. “This rice fair is for creating awareness among consumers and farmers about the nutritional richness of indigenous rice varieties, which are also suitable for local food cultures. In thousands of acres across North Karnataka’s semi-Malenadu region, traditional dryland rice is still grown. However, rice mills required for processing these are not available locally. The government must come forward to support farmer groups conserving indigenous rice,” he said.Over 100 traditional rice varieties from different states are on display and available for purchase at the rice mela, which is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Published - August 23, 2025 09:28 pm IST