An IPAM field learning site, Thanal Agro Ecology Centre (TAEC) is a scenic lush green campus spread across 6.5 acres in Panavally with the river Kalindi flowing along one side. It bought the land at Panavally in 2009 with an aim to conserve rare and traditional Indian rice varieties.
Thanal launched the Save Our Rice campaign as part of its indigenous rice diversity conservation programme. The national campaign involves six Indian states to preserve and propagate native rice varieties and maintain Rice Diversity Blocks (RDBS) and live seed banks across India. It was started in 2004 to ensure food sovereignty, protect traditional wisdom, prevent GMOs and toxics, and ensure safe and nutritious food for the people.
Starting with 64 varieties, Thanal has over the years managed to secure and revive around 300+ indigenous rice varieties, which were almost lost during the Green Revolution.
Today, TAEC conserves one of largest live paddy collections in Kerala. There are 13 RDBs mostly in north Kerala maintained by farmers who came and collected seeds from AEC and got inspired by the idea.Maintenance of rice diversity block demands a lot of time bound and technical work. In a rice diversity block ensuring purity and quality of the varieties is very important.
Among the varieties being preserved are:
Around 154 short-term rice varieties, including Adansilpaar, Adukkan, AHU, Akkal, Allikkannan, Ambimohar, Anamodan, Arupathaam Kuruva, Assam black, Aswini Maharashtra, Baalbi, Badma, Banakelok, Basmathi, Black Jasmine, Bogthu Chebok.
Around 60 medium-term rice varieties, including Anakkomban, Bangarudi,Barma Black,Black Basmathi, Black Gouni, Bora, Bora Assam, Borajogthi Chebok, Chakau Maharashtra Chebok Karanellu, Chomala, Ekkarinetta, Gandhakashala AEC, Gandhakashala Meera.
15 long-term varieties, including Athiyan, Chenthadi, Chettuveliyan, Chitteni, Chuvanna Chitteni, Karutha Kodiyan, Karuvalicha/Mundon, Kurukkan Chitteni, Mannuveliyan, Maranellu Mullan Chenthadi, Mullan Mundon, Ottal Mundon, Vadakkan Chitteni.
Along with the indigenous rice varieties, TAEC also conserves 35 species of trees on its campus and varieties of tubers, spices and bananas, vegetables and medicinal plants, which are mostly collected from Kerala, and conserves and documents edible leaf diversity in TAEC with the help of traditional knowledge of the local people in Wayanad.
TAEC is working to preserve age-old agrarian practices of Kerala by celebrating the agricultural traditions of Wayanad while co-creating and sharing knowledge among farmers, scientists, officials and the key holds of agroecology.
It provides farmer support through the Mobile Organic Agri Clinic (MOAC), an innovative venture launched by Thanal. The mobile clinic is a fully equipped vehicle through which TAEC offers technical support and mentoring to the farmers on pest and disease management, farm design, conducts tests, and also aids in PGS certification.
Realizing the importance of engaging the younger generation in organic farming, the centre provides opportunities for students to explore, experience and learn directly from the field.
