Rice Diversity Block
We started a Rice Diversity Block at AEC in 2010 which began with 4 indigenous paddy varieties and now conserve around 300+ traditional varieties out of which 180 are from Kerala. This is the largest live collection of paddy varieties in the state. Every year we organise a field week of rice and this provides farmers, students, politicians, officials, academicians and the general public an opportunity to see and learn about the rice diversity and its value and they chose varieties of their preference.
Now 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.
Traditional Rice Varieties
Discover the distinctive qualities of our traditional rice varieties, each with its own unique flavor, nutritional benefits, and cultural significance. These varieties are carefully preserved to maintain their purity, offering a taste of Kerala’s agricultural legacy in every grain.
Koduveliyan matta
They are mostly used for cooking rice and snacks. Traditionally Koduveliyan matta is cultivated in the mud fields.
Kothandan
Kothandan is a native rice variety cultivated in northern Wayanad. Kothandan is mainly used for cooking rice, snacks and payasam (desserts).
Kottathondi
Kottathondi is mainly used for cooking rice. Kottathondi is a rice crop cultivated in sand fields
Kannichennellu
Kannichennellu is a rice variety cultivated in northern Wayanad. It is known as rice of old people. It has a five month maturity period.
Kanali
Kanali is mainly used for rice. Kanali is a
fiery coloured rice. Maturity period of
this matta rice is 6 months. It is brown
coloured bold paddy with a purple spot
Kalladiaryan
Kalladiyaryan is the inland rice variety of Travancore. Kalladiaryan’s rice paddy is seen as hay coloured with brown stripes. It is mainly used for cooking rice
Jeerakashala
Jeerakashala is another aromatic rice. Its name comes from the fact that its rice grains are thin and long, like cumin seeds…
Gandhashala
Among the rice crops of Wayanad, the mostfamous is the Grandhasala, a fragrant variety. Gandhashala is cultivated mainly in Wayanad, MalaNadu regions…
Chettuveliyan
If you ask which of the Wayanadan seeds is the most important, the answer will be Veliyan. This highly productive indigenous rice was cultivated in most of the regions…
Chennell Thondi
It is mainly used for cooking rice. Chen-
nell thondï is a type of thondï rice which is
hay-coloured with brown stripes.it is bold
matta rice…
Adukkan
Adukkan is a rice variety cultivated in east-
ern Wayanad. This hay-coloured bold pad-
dy has matta rice. Its maturity period is four and a half months…
Thavalakannan
Thavalakkannan was mainly used for
cooking rice. It was widely popular because of its taste and softness. Apart from that, thavala kannan was used …
Raktasali
Raktasali is a type of upland rice variety
cultivated in different regions of Kerala. It
is a medicinal rice. Its rice is used to treat
various diseases….
Paramban Navara
This Upland rice variety is cultivated in areas of Kannur and Kasargod districts. This is a medicinal variety. Paramban navara can be used as an alternative…
Naron Navara
Naron Navara is cultivated in Kannur district. The main characteristic of Naron navara is that it has white hairs on the black grain un- like Black Navara…
Karutha Navara
Karuththa Navara is mostly used for
medicinal purposes in most districts
of Kerala. This matta Rice has paddy grains
with light brown and black in colour…..
Chuvanna Navara
Chuvanna Navara is mostly used for medicinal purposes in Malappuram district. The height and colour of the plant is similar to that of Karutha Navara …
Chennellu
Vella(White)-chennellu, Chuvanna(red)
chennellu are two types of paddy varieties In Kannur, the northern district of Kerala. Purple coloured Poles and nodes …
Karuppu Kavuni
Karuppu Kavuni rice is an ancient and highly nutritious black rice variety, known for its rich history, distinctive color, and numerous health benefits …
Manipur Black
Manipur Black Rice, also known as Chakhao rice, is a traditional rice variety that is indigenous to the northeastern region of India, specifically the state of Manipur….
