Pokkali ppt

Indigenous pokkali farming and its socio-ecological context

1. P okkali Indigenous C ultivation - Ecological and Social C ontext   BY Aswathy Mohan PH.D Scholar, Central University of Tamil Nadu [email protected]

2. Introduction Wetlands – “Kidneys of Earth”-Wetlands –habitats, source of drinking water and for feeding, resting and shelter for social interactions of non human organisms (Anson and Pavithran , 2013 ) Kerala has the largest area under wetlands ( Nayar and Nayar , 1997 ). The majority of the wetlands of Kerala are brackish; however, there are also a few freshwater wetlands (Nair and Salin , 2010 ).

3. Indigenous farming systems- Global context Indigenous farming refers to the practice of growing crops with the use of locally available resources devoid of any external inputs.  Indigenous knowledge about plant genetic resources is an invaluable tool in the search for new ways to conserve and use these resources to benefit local communities. It is an age-old method of farming developed by traditional agrarians for making food, fodder, and fiber , through their constant interaction with nature and natural resources (Kumar et al., 2009) . It is a Community-oriented farming system

4. Traditional farming is an environmentally sustainable, self-reliant farming style ( Kumar et al., 2009). Enhanced viable farming practices(Thurston, 2019 ) The management strategies adopted by the farmers are diverse across the globe, due to the difference in indigenous knowledge, acquired by the generations of inhabitants, through their close contact with nature, for developing their unique cultivation system (Kumar et al., 2009 ).

5. Indigenous knowledge is unique to each ethnic groups and it passes orally or through practices by the elder people in the society (Thurston, 2019 ) Rights for Protection of Indigenous farming and knowledge- the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 , etc.

6. Major sustainable indigenous farming practices in the world 1. Agroforestry 2. Crop Rotations 3.  Mixed-/Inter-cropping  4. Polyculture 5. Water Harvesting

7. E.g. Of Traditional farming systems Wetlands Bheries / Bhasabhada of West Bengal, Khazan of Goa, Gazani of Karnataka, Pokkali of Central Kerala and Kaipad of North Kerala are such traditional integrated farming systems (NAFP,2016 ). Jhuming - North east India Pokkali, Kaipad - Kerala Forest gardens- Humid tropic areas Three sister farming method in USA- Corn , beans and squash to create a polyculture that feeds and protects the soil and controls pests (Anson and Pavithran , 2013).

8. O rigin , genesis and development of pokkali Saline tolerant paddy cultivation and traditional capture based aquaculture in coastal wetlands are practiced in many places especially in tropical countries(NAFP,2016). ‘ Pokkali’ is a saline resistant rice variety (Nair and Salin , 2010 ) Pokkali means the one who stays tall (Malayalam) . Pokkali is internationally accepted as gene donor for salt tolerance in rice ( Sasidharan , 2004) Soil- Low lying marshes and swamps near the sea/stream/river water (Anson and Pavithran, 2013).

9. About Pokkali farming Pokkali rice-prawn farming practice is a traditional cultivation system. Many value added products are produced from Pokkali rice(NAFP,2016) F ound only in the coastal areas of Eranakulam , Thrissur and Alappey districts of Kerala where the height of water column of the field increases more than 100 CM during the South-West Monsoon ( Ranjith et al.2018). GI tagged farming practice (Nair and Salin , 2010 ) U tilizes the symbiotic relationship between rice and fish (Anson and Pavithran, 2013)

10. Climate - wet monsoon type of climate (Anson and Pavithran, 2013) Season- May/June to October, harvesting takes place by October end and then saline water enter the field, the weeds and stubbles decompose and feed the prawns that arrive the fields during high tide ( Tomy et al. 1984) and the remaining period (November – April) is utilized for prawn culture or “Chemeenkettu”. Varieties- Chettivirippu, Vytila 1and Vytila 2 (Anson and Pavithran, 2013)

11. IMPORTANCE OF POKKALI CULTIVATION O rganic farming methods. Ecofriendly biodegradable area which provides economic income too(Ranjith et al.2018). No need of chemical pesticide and a fertilizer for high yield. Peculiar taste and high protein content and has several medicinal properties (Ranjith et al.2018).. The ‘pokkali’ is resistant to pest, flood and soil acidity and it is high yielding (Anson and Pavithran, 2013 ) Globally accepted Sustainable farming system(Nair and Salin , 2010)

12. Integrated Rice Fish F arming Innovative and viable way of farming (Tomy et al. 1984) Developed by local farmers After the harvest of paddy by the end of October, the fields are allowed to have free exchange of tidal water from the sea to the fields (Anson and Pavithran, 2013) . Rice residues form the feed for prawns and the excreta of Prawns formed the fertilizer for rice, which makes it ecologically stable and also reduces the input by maintaining a mutualistic approach ( Ranjith et al. 2018). It continues simultaneously along with fishing till the fields are finally drained for taking up paddy cultivation by end of March ( Ranjith et al. 2018).

13. Pokkali- Ecological context Pokkali farming- Natural system of cultivation which relies upon monsoons and sea (Ranjith et al.2018). Integrated farming methods can be considered as climate smart practice to enhance resilience of aquaculture communities to climate change especially sea level rise that results in severe salinity intrusion. Pokkali farm soil is inherently fertile with an adequate organic carbon content of 3 – 4 %. Tidal inflow also brings in Potassium and other nutrients. Beneficial microbial flora also flows in . Pokkali- flood prone rice ecosystem. Great potential value as genetic resources, medicine and other industrial uses (Ranjith et al.2018).

14. Rich biodiversity (Anson and Pavithran, 2013 ) Sustainable management of coastal wetlands and near-shore marine ecosystems also offer a wide range of co-benefits, including shoreline protection, nutrient cycling, water quality maintenance, flood control, habitat for birds, other wildlife and harvestable resources such as fish (NAFP,2016) The cultivation of Pokkali Rice-Prawn production systems is significantly different from normal wetland cultivation of paddy. There are differences in moving water in and out of the fields during the various tidal conditions (Ranjith.et.al,2018). Water constraints are affected by this exchanging process of O 2. Nitrous Oxide will be available in the Pokkali fields only when an oxidized condition is maintained in the system (Anson and Pavithran, 2013)

15. Continuous exchange of water during high tides and low tides throughout the production period helps for the Oxygen stability in the fields and it helps to create an oxidized condition in the production system rather than a reduced condition there by reduces methane emission thus decreasing the contribution of Green House Gases (GHG) from these environment (Ranjith et al.2018 ). Discontinuing Pokkali cultivation will greatly affect the Prawn farming practices.

16. The juvenile Prawn lack the high protein supplement from the decaying stubbles and vulnerable to many diseases. Without Pokkali farming, the flooded land becomes more acidic less oxygen availability, which is in turn detrimental to prawn farming (Ranjith et al.2018 ). Unscientific Monoculture of shrimp- Severe environmental issues. Decreased water quality, increased salinity of drinking water and it also made the native paddy and vegetable cultivation, duck rearing etc., virtually vanish(Antony, 2017)

17. Pokkali –sociological aspects The most productive ecosystems on earth and are of great economic and cultural important to mankind ,IUCN (1999 ). Pokkali is the symbol of a culture. Livelihood opportunities- The Vembanad wetland complex provide a means of livelihoods for natives who are dependent on fishing and related industries (Ranjith et al.2018).

18. Promotes tourism and also supports an agricultural system including the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’. Low investment for prawn filtration provides a subsidiary income to the farmers without much investment. In favorable seasons, a good crop of rice ensures a good catch of prawn because residual plant material is also high which offers a rich feeding ground for the prawns (Anson and Pavithran, 2013 ). Duck rearing, cattle rearing etc. in the Pokkali fields also exist as a livelihood source

19. Limitations Traditional practices have low productivity but the culture coast is high. Variations in the rainfall

20. Challenges The area under pokkali farming in Kerala which was about 25000 ha in the 1980s now declined to 5707 ha, while active farming currently prevails in just 2204 ha ( Rajendran and Sreekumaran , 2008) Despite its inherent advantages and ease of operation, the traditional rice-fish/shrimp integrated farming is fast losing ground . In some cases, shrimp filtration which is more profitable than paddy cultivation was continued. Real estate mafias

21. Conversion of wetlands for other agricultural purpose like coconut plantations Reclamation for infrastructure development Construction of barriers for preventing saline intrusion like Thanneermukkom regulator in Alappuzha and Kattampally regulator in Kannur district Collapse of bunds of paddy polders ( padasekaram ) and increasing tidal level/surges Pollution Fallowing of lands due to displaced farm labourers Invasion of alien species like Water Hyacinth, Hydrilla etc

22. Emphasis on monoculture of shrimp farming with increased inputs has also aggravated the risk of diseases and altered the balance of these ecosystems which were long hailed as sustainable agri-aqua integrated farming models ( Nair and Salin , 2010 ) Loopholes in the wetland protection laws(Ranjith et.al,2018). A ttack from Purple Moorhen, locusts etc. The establishment of International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT)/ Vallarpadam Terminal-structures like pillars etc. hinders the natural flow of water to the Pokkali fields (Ranjith et.al,2018).

23. Future possibilities With increasing impacts of climate change and other change factors, yields and profits of mono-aquaculture systems in ecologically sensitive areas has been declining. As a result of these negative impacts, many aquaculture farmers in certain region have shifted back to integrated farming methods as an adaptive strategy (NAFP,2016). It is expected that more wetlands adjacent to coastal wetland may get inundated by sea level rise in near future . Hence management of coastal wetland for coastal protection as well as for its continued use for livelihood support need immediate attention.

24. REFERENCE Anson, C. J. and Pavithran , K. B. (2013) ‘Pokkali rice production under geographical indication protection: The attitude of farmers’, Journal of Intellectual Property Rights , 19(1), pp. 49–53 . Antony , J. (2017) ‘“ Oru Nellum Oru Meenum ” Existential Struggle of Empowering for Empowerment’, 13(1), pp. 43–51. Balachandran , P.V., Gracy Mathew.and K.V. Peter. (2002): Wetland Agricultureproblems and prospects, in Jayakumar , M (edited) Wetland conservation and Management in Kerala: A Compendium on the Focal Theme of 14th Kerala science congress, STEC, Govt.of Kerala, Trivandrum . Kumar, G., Chhetry , N., & Belbahri , L. (2009). Indigenous pest and disease management practices in traditional farming systems in north east India. A review. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science , 1 (3), 28–038. Retrieved from Nair, C. M. and Salin , K. R. (2010) ‘Simultaneous Rice – Fish Culture System in Modified Pokkali Rice Fields – A Possible Alternative to Improve Sustainability’, (May 2014), pp. 1–7 . Detailed Project Report for National Adaptation Fund Promotion of Integrated Farming System of Kaipad and Pokkali in Coastal Wet Lands of’ (2016), pp. 1–184. Nayar , S and N.M Nayar (1997): Wetlands, In the Natural Resource of Kerala, WWF for Nature India 363-374 http :// www.academicjournals.org/jpbcs

25. Rajendran , C.G. and Sreekumaran , V. (2008) Status paper on pokkali cultivation, Rice Research Station, Vyttila . Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur: 18 p . Ranjith , P., Karunakaran , K. R. and Sekhar , C. (2018) ‘Economic and environmental aspects of Pokkali Rice- Prawn production system in central Kerala’, 6(4), pp. 8–13 Sasidharan , N. K (2004): Enhancing the productivity of the rice, fish/prawn farming system in pokkali lands. Ph.D thesis. Dept. of Agronomy. College of Horticulture, Vellayanikkara , Trichur , Kerala . Thurston, H. D. (2019). Sustainable Practices for Plant Disease Management in Traditional Farming Systems. In Sustainable Practices for Plant Disease Management in Traditional Farming Systems . https:// doi.org/10.1201/9780429308062 Tomy , P.J; George T.U. and Suseela Jose. (1984): Pokkali Cultivation in Kerala. Technical bulletin -10, Kerala Agricultural University. Trichur Kerala 1-20