The conservation of traditional varieties is very much essential to maintain diversity and protect nature from calamities. Various institutions across the globe maintain seed banks to conserve the germplasms from extinction. Farmers also try to conserve their preferred varieties and land races in their own ways. One such conservator is Ms. Sivaranjini of Arivar Seeds Centre, Kuravapuram, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam. She has collected more than 1250 varieties and is conserving in-situ in the field. The seeds are collected through the community of seed collectors and conservators across India without money involvement but through pure passion for conservation. Minimum quantity of seeds are exchanged free of cost like the barter system of the olden days. Her expertise in identifying the origin of the varieties by the physical appearance of the plant is highly commendable. Ms. Sivaranjini received the Chief Minister’s State Youth Award 2022 for this huge effort in conservation and spreading of traditional paddy varieties.
Paddy, Traditional varieties, Cauvery Delta, Conservation
