Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties Submitted to State Biodiversity Board

Study Report Submitted by Community Agro-biodiversity Centre M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation 1 Author contributions

Suma.T.R: PI of the project (conceived the project, fund raised, developed methodology and analy- sis framework, supervised data collection and analysis prosesses and wrote the final report).

Dr. Merlin Lopez: Coordinated the data collection, data management and generation of primary report.

Babu PC: Assisted for coordination of data collection and involved in report writing

Lakshmi Rajan: Assisted for coordination of data collection and data management

Dileep. K: Design and layout FORWARD

Climate change is experiencing as a reality in life of people all over the globe. Located in Wayanad, the agrarian district of Kerala, Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation is actively interacting with the farming communities for last 20 years. The depletion in rainfall and drought experienced in last decade, the fluctuations in rainfall patterns and intensity and the heavy rain and flood situations of last two years put the community in real distress. Farming, farm income and the life of farmers in Wayanad are under great uncertainty. Moreover the food production and supply systems which determine the rural food security and health are also under threat. We understand the importance of new knowledge and management systems to build resilience of farming communities all over the Globe. We consider it as our responsibility to document the farmer and varietal responses to the extreme climatic condition of last two years. And hope it will help to devise more in-depth studies and action in this region.

Dr. V. Shakeela Director Community Agrobiodiversity Centre M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This was an intensive and essential study done in a limited time period. It is possible only because of active collaboration from different institutions and individuals. We are greatfull to biodiversity board of Kerala for the financial and technical support for this project. The Panchayathi Raj Institutions took leadership in implementing the project was instrumental for the completion of this project. We are deeply indebted to all leaders of PRIs in Wayanad and BMC members of respective Panchayath to be part of this study. We are Thankful to volunteers who collected data especially the women leaders of Kudumbasree and students from different education institutions from Wayanad. We express our gratitude to the principals and NSS coordinators of St. Marries Collage Sulthan Bathery and Government College Mananthavadi for cooperating with us. We are grateful to all farmer participants who cooperated with us in this study otherwise it would not been completed. We are expressing our special thanks to Mr. V. V. Sivan, the then Director in charge of CAbC for the guidance and support. We thank Mr. Salim P.M, Ms. Dhanya. C. S, Mr. Jayesh. P. Joseph and other staff members of MSSRF who contributed to this study in different stages. And we hope the PRIS and BMCs of the district will unitise the data generated out of this research.

Suma. T.R CONTENTS

01 Abstract

02 Introduction 03 Objectives

04 Materials and Methods

4.1 Study site

4.2 Methodology 05 Results 5.1 Baseline Data

5.2 Status and distribution of agrobiodiversity in 5.3 Agro biodiversity loss due to heavy rain incidents in 2018 5.4 Resilient varieties 5.5 Resilient practices 06 Recommendation

5 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

LIST OF TABLES

No Table description Page No. 5.1 The number of crop varieties listed for the study and the number 26 of varieties mapped 5.2 The Crop Varieties Listed for the Study and Mapped 27 5.2.1 Status of Distribution of Rice Varieties in Wayanad 28 5.2.2 Status of Pepper Varieties in Wayanad 37 5.2.3 Status of Banana Vareities Cultivating in Wayanad 41 5.2.4.1 Status of Dioscorea 46 5.2.4.2 Status of Yam 49 5.2.4.3 Status of Arrow Root 51 5.2.4.4 Status of Tapioca Varieties under Cultivation in Wayanad 53 5.2.4.5 Status of Ginger Varities Cultivated in Wayanad 56 5.2.4.6 The Status of Turmeric Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 60 5.2.4.7 Status of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 64 5.2.4.8 Status of Other Tuber crops Cultivated in Wayanad 67 5.2.5.1 Status of Cucumber Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 68 5.2.5.2 Status of Okra Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 70 5.2.5.3 Status of Chilli Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 72 5.2.5.4 Status of Leafy Greens Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 74 5.2.5.5 Status of Ash Guard Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 77 5.2.5.6 Status of Brinjal Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 79 5.2.5.7 Status of Papaya Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 82 5.2.5.8 Status of Chow-Chow Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 84 5.2.5.9 Status of Ivy gourd Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 86 5.2.5.10 Status of Ridge Guard Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 86 5.2.5.11 Status of Bottle Guard Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 87 5.2.5.12 Status of Bitter Guard Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 88 5.2.5.13 Status of Pumpkin Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 90 5.2.5.14 Status of Pulsus and Legume Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 92 5.2.6 Status of Coconut Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 101 5.2.7 Status of Coffee Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 103 5.2.8 Status of Areca Nut Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 105 5.2.9 Status of Spice Crops Cultivated in Wayanad 107 5.2.10 Status of mango Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 109 5.2.11 Status of Other Fruit Crops Cultivated in Wayanad 110 5.2.12 Status of Citrus Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 119 5.5.13 Status of Trees cultivated in farm lands of Wayanad 122

6 LIST OF FIGURES

No Description Page No. 1.1 District –Wise Mean Seasonal Rainfall in Kerala 14 Fig. No. 1.2: Annual District Average Rainfall 1.2 Annual District Average Rainfall 14 4.1,2,3 The Screen Shots of the Mobile Application Used for the Datacollection 23 5.1 Status of Distribution of Traditional Rice Varieties in Wayanad 29 5.2 Status of Distribution of Improved Rice Varieties 30 5.3 Status of Distribution of Pepper Varieties in Wayanad 38 5.4 Status of Banana Vareities Cultivating in Wayanad 42 5.5 Status and Distribution Pattern of Dioscoria Varieties 47 5.6 Status and distribution pattern of Yam Varieties 49 5.7 Status and Distribution Pattern of Arrowroot varieties 51 5.8 The Pattern of Distribution of Tapioca Varieties in Wayanad 54 5.9 The Pattern of Distribution of Ginger Varieties 57 5.10 The pattern of Distribution of Turmeric Varieties cultivated in Wayanad 61 5.11 The Pattern of distribution of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 65 5.13 The Pattern of distribution of Other tubers Cultivated in Wayanad 67 5.14 The Pattern of distribution of Cucumber Varieties 68 5.15 Status of Okra Varieties Cultivated 70 5.16 The Pattern of distribution of Chilli Varieties 72 5.17 The Pattern of distribution of Leafy Greens Varieties 74 5.18 The Pattern of distribution of Ash Guard Varieties 77 5.19 The Pattern of distribution of Brinjal Varieties 79 5.20 The Pattern of distribution of Papaya Varieties 82 5.21 The Pattern of distribution of Chow- Chow Varieties 84 5.22 The Pattern of distribution of Ivy Guard Varieties 86 5.23 The Pattern of distribution of Ridge Guard Varieties 87 5.24 The Pattern of distribution of Bitter Guard Varieties 88 5.25 The Pattern of Distribution of Pumpkin Varieties 90 5.26 The Pattern of Distribution of Pulsus and Legume Varieties 94 5.27 The Pattern of Distribution of Coconut Varietiesin Wayanad 101 5.28 The Pattern of Distribution of Coffee Varieties in Wayanad 103 5.29 The Pattern of Distribution of Areca Nut Varieties in Wayanad 105 5.30 The Pattern of Distribution of Spice crops in Wayanad 107 The Pattern of Distribution of Mango Varieties in

7 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.31 The Pattern of Distribution of Other Fruit Crops in Wayanad 5.32 The Pattern of Distribution of Citrus in Wayanad 119 5.33 The Pattern of Distribution of Trees in Wayanad 123 5.34 Survival Rate of Rice Varieties 129 5.35 Loss Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 1& 2 129 5.36 Loss Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 3&4 130 5.37 Loss Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 5&6 130 5.38 Survival Rate of Banana Varities 131 5.39 Survival Rate of Pepper Varieties 132 5.40 Loss Status of Pepper at Rainfall None 1 &2 132 5.41 Loss Status of Pepper at Rainfall None 3&4 133 5.42 Loss Status of Pepper at Rainfall None 5&6 133 5.43 Survival rate of coffee 134 5.44 Status of coffee at rainfall zone 1&2 135 5.45 Status of coffee at rainfall zone 3&4 135 5.46 Status of coffee at rainfall zone 5&6 135 5.47 Survival Rate of Aracanut 136 5.48 Survival Rate of Dioscoria 137 5.49 Survival Rate of Colocasia 138 5.50 Survival rate of yam varieties 138 5.51 Survival rate of ginger varieties 139 5.52 Survival rate of Tapioca Varieties 139 5.53 Survival rate of arrow root 140 5.54 Survival rate of Turmeric 140 5.55 Survival Rate of Citrus varieties 141 5.56 Survival rate of spices 141

8 LIST OF MAPS

SL No Table description Page No. 1 Flood map 10 2 Isohytal Map of Wayanad District 15 3 The Study Site 19 4 Distribution of Rice in Wayanad 31 5 Distribution of Pepper In Wayanad 38 6 Distribution of Banana in Wayanad 42 7 Distribution of Dioscoria in Wayanad 47 8 Distribution of yam in Wayanad 50 9 Distribution of Arrowroot in Wayanad 52 10 Distribution of Tapioca in Wayanad 54 11 Distribution Ginger in Wayanad 57 12 Distribution Turmric in Wayanad 61 13 Distribution of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad 65 14 Distribution of Minor Tubers in Wayanad District 68 15 Distribution and Status of Cucumber in Wayanad 69 16 Distribution of Okra in Wayanad District 71 17 Distribution of Chilli in Wayanad 73 18 Distribution of Leafy Greens Varieties 75 19 Distribution of Ash Guard Varieties in Wayanad 78 20 Distribution of Brinjal in Wayanad 80 21 Distribution of Papaya in Wayanad 83 22 Distribution of Chaw Chaw in Wayanad 85 23 Distribution of Ivy Guard in Wayanad 86 24 Distribution in Ridge Guard in Wayanad 87 25 Distribution in Bitter Guard in Wayanad 89 26 Distribution in Pumkin in Wayanad 91 27 Distribution of pulsus and Legumes in Wayanad 94 28 Distribution of Coconut in Wayanad 102 29 Distribution of Coffee in Wayanad 104 30 Distribution of Areca Nut in Wayanad 106 31 Distribution of important Spice crops in Wayanad 108 32 Distribution of Mango in Wayanad 110 33 Distribution of Fruit Crops in Wayanad 118 34 Distribution of Trees cultivated in farmlands of Wayanad 126 33 Distribution of pulsus and Legumes in Wayanad

9 Flood Map of Wayanad 2018 August. Source: Rebuild Malabar, IIA Calicut and Town and Country Planning Department, Wayanad, 2018 1. ABSTRACT

Wayanad is an agrarian district in the Western Ghats with rich agro-biodiversity. The diversity includes cultivated crop varieties, wild relatives of crops and the associated diversity in the rich agro ecosystems of this landscape. The fertile soil beckoned the farmers from the plains of Kerala and neighboring states in south to this region since pre British period. Last 20 years the landscape is facing threats of local and global climate change. The change is evident in the form draught, increased atmospheric temperature, failures in monsoon, changes in the rainfall pattern and intensity. The impact is expressed as plant diseases, decrease in productivity, soil fertility loss, and crop failures. Along with the market fluctuations and adverse agricultural policies and crop failures added to the farmer indebtedness in Wayanad.

The heavy rains in Western Ghats during the month of July and August 2018 lead to flood and calamities such as large scale landslides in Wayanad. It has wiped away more than 3000 hectares of agricultural fields and crops in the district. The experience of flood and heavy rain has also revealed the farmer’s knowledge and strategies to cope up with the extreme conditions. The farmer knowledge of agro-biodiversity and ecosystem based farming practices safeguarded their crops in many villages. These learnings are important for the mainstream planning and building local resilience practices.

This short term project documented and analyzed the loss of agricultural diversity due to the natural calamity. The study identified the crop varieties and agricultural practices that have shown high degree of resilience to flood and heavy rainfall. The study was conducted using the geospatial tools engaging public in data collection under the leadership of Panchayath BMCs. The second part of this research was a deeper exploration on the degree of resilience shown by different crop varieties and agricultural practices during the flood through sample surveys and case studies.

The study recorded 46 crops and 432 varieties from Wayanad. Among them paddy, pepper, coffee, fruit trees and diascorea have shown higher degree of survival. While Banana, areca nut, ginger, yam varieties showed high degree of vulnerability to flood and heavy rains. Among the crops, pepper and banana grown in the lower elevation found to be vulnerable while more survival tendency noticed in the same crops grown in higher elevations (above 850 msl).

The study observed that many local specific crop varieties survived even after seven to eight days of submergence. The paddy varieties such as Valichoori, Thonnuram Thondi, Thondi, Palthondi, KudakuVeliyan and Veliyan showed higher rates of survival. There was a trend noticed among farmers that the farmers from the higher elevation wetlands sown 11 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Kalladiyaryan after the floods. The newly introduced traditional paddy varieties from other parts of the country like Kakisaali and Black Paddy have also survived the flood. The pepper varieties like Aibiriyan, Thirimuriyan, Wayanadan bolt and Kurukkachi are the survived varieties.

The case studies have shown that in addition to the varieties grown, farm management including soil and water management is also important in withstanding adverse climate. The percentage of loss in crop and crop yield in the farmlands of zero budget farmers is only 12% while it is 46% in other farmers.

This research clearly brought out the evidence of farmer level adaptations in the form of variety selection and practices to adapt or resist the extreme climate events. At the same time 87% of the farmers who adopted the formal system of agriculture suffered from crop loss in the extreme climate events. The results of this empirical research showcased the need for local level conservation of diverse crop varieties to withstand the climatic fluctuations. The formal systems and structures which decide on agricultural development should be adaptive to include the local innovations and knowledge from farm level.

The study shows the resilient varieties and practices are varying according to elevation and ecosystems within the small region of Wayanad. So again the local specific micro planning and conservation efforts are important for building resilient farming system in the country. The role of BMCs as local system and PBRs as knowledge repository is gaining importance in the age of climate change.

12 2. INTRODUCTION

Climate change is an intricate event Uncertainty in precipitation causes draughts that accounts for broad impacts on the and floodsthat in turn directly affect the environment, life and livelihoods. IPCC has cropping cycles of all crops (Aggarwal, 2008; projected a temperature increase ranging Raymond Guiteras, 2009). from 1.8 degree celcious to 4.04.degree celcious by the end of this century. It is Several important socio economic and also likely that future tropical cyclones will environmental determinants of food become more intense with large peak wind production and supply can be altered by the speeds and heavier precipitation. Himalayan climate change. A decadal increase of 30 – glaciers and snow cover are projected to 50 % in food grains requirement is predicted for contract. It is very likely that hot extremes, India. In this context of increasing need of food heat waves and heavy precipitation events grains, food security and poverty alleviation will continue to become more frequent. will be major challenge faced by countries Increase in the amount of precipitation are like India in the era of climate change. India, very likely in high latitudes, while decreases the second largest agricultural producer are expected in most sub- tropical land of the world and a country with more than regions continuing observed pattern in 50% of its population indulged in agriculture, recent trends (Aggarwal, 2008). Sea level rice depending directly on the monsoon for by the end of this century is likely to be 0.18 food and livelihood. The impacts of extreme -0.59 m. In India IPCC has projected 0.5 -1.2 weather events, the manifestation of climate degree celsius rise in temperature by 2020 change such as extreme draught, heavy and 0.88-3.16 degree celsius by 2050. It is downpour and floods, changing rainfall projected that by the end of the 21st century patterns, groundwater crisis, the cyclones rainfall over India will increase by 15-40 % and etc. are large on Indian agriculture, food the mean annual atmospheric temperature security, public health and the economy. by 36 degree celcious. Such changes in climate will affect the agriculture through Kerala being the smallest and the most their direct and indirect effects on crops, soils vulnerable to climate change in India faced livestock and pests. Increase in temperature events of recurring extreme heavy rains, can reduce crop duration, increase crop floods and landslides in last two years due to respiration rates, affects the survival and the cyclones formed in Arabian Sea during distribution of pest population’s nutrient monsoon. The climate scientists predict mineralization in soils, decrease fertilizer use chances for repeating such incidents in this efficiencies, and increase evaporation. tiny coastal sate and along the Western 13 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Ghats. As the most forward state in social region in Western Ghats and in Kerala. development in India,Kerala is also in a position to prepare itself to develop as a The spatial and temporal distribution and model for climate resilient state. Wayanad changing pattern of precipitation due to is a unique biodiversity region in Western climate change isnot uniform over any Ghats of Kerala and one of the most climate geographical regions. The variations in vulnerable districts of the state. The intensity the distribution are determinant by many and frequency of rain fall in smaller locations geographical factors and wind directions. have increased considerably in Wayanad The impact of climate changes is also varied during last two decades (Danesh Kumar according to the distribution of precipitation. and Pavan, 2011). The heavy rain incidents In that sense Wayanad is likely to have more during the monsoon in last two years were heavy rain incidents in future. The average devastating. Wayanad being an agrarian rainfall of Kerala is above 3000 mm, the region have great importance as building distribution is not uniform throughout the year resilience is also reducing dependency for other humid tropical countries (countries food. having the same climatic conditions as that of Kerala).About 85% of the annual rainfall of 2.1 Wayanad and the Flood of 2018 Kerala receives during two monsoon periods and 15% during non-monsoon periods. The extreme climate events witnessed in the The district wise variation is shown below. year 2018 and later in 2019 have wiped out Wayanad experiences salubrious climate around 3000 hectors of agricultural land in with mean rainfall of 2322mm. Lakkidi, Wayanad along with human lives, cattle, and Meppady are the high rainfall houses and crops. Wayanad is a high rainfall experiencing areas within Wayanad.

Fig. No. 1.1: District –Wise Mean Seasonal Rainfall in Fig. No. 1.2: Annual District Average Rainfall Kerala (Source: IIA and Town planning, 2018)

14 Wayanad district shows high spatial variability incidents and drought in the district is also in rainfall. The mountainous regions of the varied accordingly.The mountainous regions west and south-west regions receive 3000- are prone to heavy rains and landslides, the 5000 mm rainfall, where as the eastern drier central part is mostly prone to flood and region receive only 1500 mm rainfall annually. water logging while the dry regions towards Fig.1.12 shows the isohytel map of Wayanad. the plains of Karnataka is prone to drought Based on the rainfall pattern Wayanad could and water shortage. be classified into various rainfall zones as depicted in the map.As the occurrence and distribution of rainfall in the district shows high spatial variation the impact of heavy rain

Map. No. 2: Isohytal map of Wayanad District

15 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

The farmers within this region developed damages from drought and flood like various farming practices including soil situations has been substantiated by several and water management practices and empirical studies (Pandey and Bhandari, 200., crop varieties suitable for each region. The Rathore, 2004. Goyari, 2005. Mandal, 2010). drastically changing patterns of precipitation Moreover, a diversified cropping pattern or and temperature are affecting all crops in the output mix is widely aproved as an important region. As Joseph, one of the elder farmers strategy to cope with risk and uncertainty from Pancahayth says, ‘Farming is associated with agriculture While examining becoming a Gambling’ in the era of climate cropping pattern choice as a response to change. climatic conditions in Africa(Kurukulasuriya and Mendelsohn, 2008) have found that 2.2 Agro-biodiversity and farmers often choose the combinations of climate change crops to survive harsh climatic conditions that provide them with more flexibility across Native biodiversity especially agro- climates than growing a single crop. Gupta biodiversity is identified as vital resource for and Tewari (1985), in a study on Allahabad compacting climate change. The locally of India have found that the farmers who adapted crop varieties which evolved perceive greater ‘risk resort’to diversification along the fluctuations in the local climate of crops more as a means of ‘risk aversion’. are the future scope for food and nutrition Blade and Slinkard (2002) identify risk security. Conservation of agro-biodiversity is reduction as one of the factors promoting important in building resilient food production diversification of crops. According to them, systems. The mass production techniques diversification allows a producer to balance of industrialized agriculture sweep away low price in one or two crops with reasonable the native crop diversities in all parts of the prices in other commodities. In another study globe. Promotion of corporate agriculture by on Kerala, Mahesh (1999) has observed many countries led to large scale monopoly that in order to spread risk associated with of companies over food and seeds. Micro fluctuations in prices of agricultural products level production systems developed around the farmers diversify their cropping pattern the local biodiversity as well as the weather so as to minimize price risk arising primarily conditions were almost collapsed in many from crop failures. So diversified farm lands countries. and locally evolved crop varieties are part of building economic and climate resilience to The fate of millions of farmers in the developing farming communities. countries including India depends to a great extent on the weather conditions because Kerala is no exception for the states that of their excessive dependence on rainfall. have experienced heavy loss of traditionally That a choice of judicious cropping pattern conserved agro-biodiversity in India. and temporal adjustments therein may be Kerala is also experiencing increasing a useful strategy to minimize the possible dependency over other states for food 16 grains due to heavy developmental pressure varieties of traditional rice from Wayanad. on land and thus induced fragmentation. But majority of the native traditional rice Wayanad is characterized by noticeable varieties were in a stae og extingtion at the natural biodiversity, and agro-biodiversity, same time many traditional rice varieties particularly in food crops like rice, yams, from other parts of India like Krishna kamoud, aroids, legumes and banana. The traditional black paddy etc. are bringing to Wayanad food producers of the region including by farmers for cultivation too. Many varieties 12 Adivasi communities, four traditional of rice had shown high degree of resilience agriculturalists and migrant farm families in the flood and draught incidents. There is still conserve more than 27 varieties of rice, recordof rice varieties survived after 8days 12 varieties of pepper, 13 types of banana, of submerging under water in the year 2018 and numerous vegetables and tubers. But and 19. These are also valuable information the region’s agricultural system experiences from the flood fields to be added to the loss of its biodiversity in a faster pace. An value of agrobiodiversity. We could also analysis of the older reports and the PBRS in see interesting trends of farmer adaptations Panchayaths show that, the region would to the changing climatic conditions. This have lost at least 50-60 percent of its original short research project tried to understand diversity of rice, but fortunately there is the varietal resilience of important crop sizeable traditional rice diversity available varieties grown in Wayanad and the here (Suma, 2017). farmer adaptations through systematically documenting the experience of 2018 flood. This research record 97 varieties including 11 high yield varieties of rice under cultivation in the year 2018. Epart from that, 157 varieties of tubers, 35 varieties of pepper, 23 varieties of banana and more varieties of vegetables and trees. Previously MSSRF has reported 105

17 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties 3. OBJECTIVES

This short term project was designed to implemented through Panchayath BMCs document the status and distribution of agro- with the support of local support team to biodiversity in the district of Wayanad before collect data. The ultimate outcome of the and after the great flood of 2018. The project project is the systematic database of crops assessed the loss of agro-biodiversity and and varietal distribution of Wayanad with damages caused to agro ecosystems in the their capacity to withstand the flood and recent flood, documented the rate of survival heavy rains. The data can be used to develop shown by the prominent crop varieties of the an agro-biodiversity conservation plan for region and the resilient agricultural practices, each Panchayath and also give inputs to in such a way to help the future planning future agricultural Plan. The objectives of the and building climate resilience. The project project are given below.

Assess Developing To understand the agro- To identify the local level status and biodiversity climate resilient conservation distribution of loss and agro- crop varieties of strategies by crop diversity ecosystem Wayanad strengthening in Wayanad damage due the BMCs to flood 2018

The agricultural diversity including crop available cultivable land has changed the diversity and varietal diversity are dynamic cropping patterns of the district. But there is resources at farm level. Farmers time to time no systematic record of these changes and bring in new crops and varieties to their the possibilities or threats associated to the farmlands according to their preferences. existing agro-biodiversity base in the context Climate adaptation and better performances of climate change. This research intended in the local agro-ecosystems are the primary to document the present crop and varietal factors leading farmers to select a variety. diversity and their capacity of resilience The experience of draught in the district through farmer experiences. for last two decades and the pressure on 18 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS The project is informed through multiple 4.1. THE STUDY SITE methods and materials. GIS based mapping Wayanad district is one of the global of crop diversity distribution, personal biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats interviews and case studies are the main tools with abundance of water and soil fertility. used for this study. The sampling for mapping This ecologically fragile unique landscape was done through gridded approach. The is facing unprecedented biotic and project is implementedthrough Panchayath development pressure since last 40 years. BMCsby the local support team formed at More than 80% of the population of the each Panchayath. region is directly depending on the bio- resources around for their life and livelihood. The intensive cash crop based agriculture

Map. No. 3: The Study Site

19 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties and unscientific development exploited water levels of the plateau and controls the natural resources of Wayanad to a the nutrient cycle of the plateau as great extent, which makes the district most the flood plains of numerous rivulets. vulnerable to the global climate change. The conversion of wetland swamps to paddy fields werestarted by 12 century The landscape of Wayanad comprises of BC along with the rice production and four distinct natural ecosystems with specific migration to the region and produced functions. many varieties of paddy as part of the flourished agrarian culture. The 1. The Mountain shola-grasslands and agrarian communities of the region also shola-rocky complexes ranging from cultivated many vegetable varieties 1500 to 2100 meters above MSL. These in the wetland and contributed to the mountains in the south and west are food basket of the people. After 1990s the cloud barriers helping to precipitate food production has reduced and and receive maximum rainfall in the the wetlands of Wayanad are largely region. Vythiri, situated in the high converted to cash crop farming and elevation mountains of Wayanad, was non-farm purposes causing depletion the second highest rainfall region in in the crop varietal and associated Asia till last 20 years after Chirapunchi. diversity in the wetland paddy system 2. The hillocks ranging from 700 – 1500 that evolved over centuries. meters MSL with a transition of 4. There are six different rivers originating evergreen to moist deciduous bio- from the high elevation mountains topes and associated diversity. This of Wayanad plateau. The numerous ever green forest cover decided the streams and rivulets originating from the spread of monsoon clouds to the mountains and hillocks are the main plateau, penetration of water in to the source of water to the eastward flowing soil and thus the ground water levels. river Kabani the principal tributary of It is also instrumental for the fertility of which feeds . This the soil and the peculiar micro climatic drainage system and the biodiversity conditions of Wayanad. This is the region around control the water cycle and where the tribal farmers of Wayanad ensure connectivity between the started shifting cultivation of grains ecosystems and thus productivity of the centuries back and then transformed to landscape as a whole. systematic cash crop farms after British rule. 3 The year round water logging network of Wayanad plateau of 2132 Sq.KM has three wetlands among the hillocks are home rainfall zones varying from 1,200 mm (in to abundance of wet land biodiversity. eastern part) to 5,000 mm (west and south- These wet lands drains water to whole west region). Nearly 2,200 species of flowering of south India and maintains ground plants, 310 species of birds and 45 species of 20 frogs have been recorded from Wayanad. The changed land use patterns and 38 % of the land area is under forest cover, intensive agriculture affected the soil health, 22% is of different plantations including biodiversity and micro climatic conditions. The coffee and tea. The remaining land area is pressure of unscientific farming, large scale under different agricultural practices among deforestation, land use changes, leveling of that 12 % is converted for non agricultural wetlands for constructions, extensive use of development activities by 2010 (GOK 2010). chemical fertilizers and pesticides, etc for last 40 years has contributed to this change. In The diverse cultural groups including this process the diversity of crops and varieties 11 Adivasi communities and traditional in each farmland has come down as one or farming communities who have migrated two principle crops gained importance over to the region in different points of time the others. developed heterogeneous relationships Wayanad, as a unique ecological unit, with this landscape over the centuries. These demands an ecosystem based scientific interactions range from collecting biological natural resource management and resources from forest for sustenance, sustainable development approach.The Selecting seeds of food crops and spices different ecological units have different such as pepper, turmeric and cardamom, production functions, contributing to the Cultivating them and improving through total landscape productivity. Health and generations of selection, and bringing connectivity of Micro-ecosystems decides numerous varieties of grains, vegetables and the total production function of any larger spices from various neighboring areas. The landscape. This is clearly evident in the farmers bring seeds and planting materials traditional knowledge systems of the farmers while they have migrated to this fertile land who have been practicing agriculture in and made it richer. this region for centuries (Suma, 2014). The Current population of the district is 8,71,000 of connectivity of different ecosystems and which 18% are Adivasis. 90% of the population drainage systems of the plateau is altered depends on agriculture for sustenance (GOI, more than its resilience in last 40 years. Land 2011). The fertile soil of Wayanad is suitable fragmentation due to population growth for many varieties of crops. Wayanad has and unscientific cropping pattern broke the the record of 75 cultivated varieties of rice, continuity of different functional units in this 85 varieties of vegetables and more than 25 landscape, resulting in heavy shortage in varieties of tubers, taros and many spices. rainfall, acute water shortage, increased The region has been a hub for migrants human animal conflicts, and fall in agricultural from neighboring states and plains of Kerala productivity, low water holding capacity of for centuries. The resent farmer migrations soil and depleting ground water sources. from 1940s have brought about immense Wayanad received 59% less rainfall during changes in the land use priorities of the the early years of 2000 and was facing district. This in turn changed the production severe draught situation. A critical change is and land relations among the communities. observed in the rainfall pattern of Wayanad 21 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties during the last three decades. The numbers of to plan life and livelihood of people in the rainy days in June are decreasing as monsoon region. This research located in Wayanad onset is delayed (Dhaneshkumar and Pavan, district and studied the impact of the heavy 2011). The incidents of high intensive rainfall rain incidents on different crop varieties and in shorter durations are increasing at an farmer adaptation strategies to copup with alarming rate of 26% leading to flood and the situation. landslides. Scientific reports show continuous depletion in ground water tables. The district 4.2. METHODOLOGY plan document of the year 2018, highlights an increase of 0.9 degrees in the average Mapping: The mapping of crop diversity minimum atmospheric temperature and an and varieties was conducted using a mobile increase of 1.06 degrees in the maximum application developed in a Geo-spatial temperature between 1984 and 2019. An Platform. The open source app was used to increase in atmospheric temperature by collect the information and upload into the one degree Celsius may cause a loss of online server that has been set up to handle 10% in productivity of rice (Suma 2019). This the large number of data samples,from all is a warning for decrease in productivity of the Panchayaths. The mapping exercises traditional crops like pepper, cardamom, were conducted in each 26 Local Self coffee, and the principal food crop rice Governments to understand the distribution in near future. Considering these are the of current crop diversity and to assess the crop principal crops of this agrarian economy, state and variety loss in flood and damage to agro government recently declared Wayanad as ecosystems.The sampling was done through a one among the four most climate vulnerable gridded approach considering wards of each districts in the state (GOK, 2014). Panchayath as a unit and selected 20 farm The Year 2018 and 19 witnessed unusual families from each grid as individual sample. heavy rains in the month of August as part The sampling considered the population of the Monsoon. The unusual depressions density or rate of land fragmentation and formed in the region of Arabian Sea ensured equal representation of households/ due to high variation in the atmospheric land parcel from each ward. An inventory temperature are identified as the cause of of 35 crops and 461 varieties wereprepared these depressions and related heavy rains. by referring previous studies and through This led to heavy rains, floods and huge participatory interactions with the farmers. landslides in the mountains slops of Western The inventory is loaded in the mobile Ghats. Wayanad and Idukki were the most application in has been used to effected districts of Kerala in these incidents. identify the presence of each crop variety in As per the scientific reports related to climate the selected grid and the response of each change, depressions along the equator and variety to the flood situation. related heavy rain incidents may became a regular phenomenon in coming years. So, The major crops such as rice, pepper, coffee, the learning’s from these incidents are vital areca nut, coconut and vegetables are 22 Fig. No.4.2: The Screen Shots of the Mobile Application Fig. No. 4.1: The Screen Shots of the Mobile Used for the Datacollection. Application Used for the Datacollection.

Fig. No.4.3: The Screen Shots of the Mobile Application Used for the Datacollection.

23 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties shown varied responses in different locations and data recorded by many agencies that inside the plateau. The rate of rainfall and the pattern of rainfall intensity and spread floodwere not uniform all along the plateau along the region was in line with the rainfall and its impact on each altitude was also zonation during 2018 and 19 (DDMA, 2018; different. So the data has further analyzed Vishnudas and Suma, 2019). As a dynamic separately in different rainfall zones to landscape with six rainfall zones and altitudes understand the impact on each major crops raging from 900 to 1200 MSL the crop and other than Banana cultivated in wetland was variety performance with in the micro recorded as lost all along the region. In order climatic pockets are varying and demand to quantify the survival rate of the crops, the micro level analysis. parameters such as Yield compared to Last year per unit land area (YCL), Pest attack Case studies: Apart from this larger (P), Diseases occurrence (D), Weeds (w) and mapping exercise the research is also percentage of Survived plants in the unit informed by 15 farmer case studies from area (SR) are considered. An in-depth data different agro ecological regions to record collection from representative samples has the resilient agricultural practices including been conducted after the main mapping for land and crop management.The farm visits this purpose. transect walks along with the farmers and in-depth interviews where the tools used to Wayanad is categorized in to 6 rainfall zones collect data for the case studies. with average annual rainfall from 1400 to The trans-disciplinary approach: 3000 mm. The effect of flood on rice, pepper, The approach adapted to this research is coffee, areca nut, coconut and vegetables trans-disciplinary, including the stakeholder were analyzed in three different rainfall zones communities in every stage of planning since there is no considerable differences in and execution. A district level BMC meeting adjacent rainfall zones (Refer also Map No. was conducted at CAbC-MSSRF for the 2).It is evident from the studies conducted initial planning of the project. The BMC

Picture 4.1: Photo of initial meeting of BMCS to plan the mapping at Panchayath level.

24 members from each Panchayath spoke of NSS units of Govt. Arts and Science College, about the possibilities of carrying out the , Pazhassiraja College, Mapping at their Panchayth. After the initial Pulppally, St. Marys College, Bathery and session they gathered for a group discussion Govt. Engineering College, Thalappuzha. and submersed the flood effect at their At other Panchayaths and in Panchayath. The planning for implemetion Municipality the survey was executed by of the project at each Panchayath was enumerators selected by the respective successfully made through this meeting. BMCs. The data collection processes at each LSGI are monitored and led by the BMCs. One meeting at each Panchayath and municipality were conducted for the micro level planning of the mapping. The survey at Mananthavady, Bathery municipalities and Edavaka, , Thavinjal, Pulppally Panchayaths were conducted with the help

Picture. No. 4.3: Meeting with BMC Representatives Picture. No. 4.2: Meeting with Kudumbasree members and Enumerators at Thirunelly Panchayath. at Thodernad Panchayath.

25 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties 5. RESULTS This research yielded a variety of data including the status and distribution of 461 varieties under 35 crops. This information can be used as an agro-biodiversity atlas of the region.The capacity of each crop group and variety to withstand the flood situation in various ecological units is the key result of this project. The degree of loss that happened to each crop groups during the heavy rain and flood situation of July and August 2018 and later in the year. 5.1. BASELINE DATA The baseline data generated for this research is the inventory of crops and varieties in the region known and that has been checked with the mapping exercise.

Number of Number of varieties varieties listed mapped No. Name Crop group 1. Rice Cereals 106 58 2. Banana Banana 18 18 3. Coconut Coconut 4 4 4. Areca nut Areca nut 3 3 5. Coffee Coffee 3 3 6. Pepper Spices 20 19 7. Spices Spices 6 6 8. Colocasia Tubers and roots 6 6 9. Dioscorea Tubers and roots 29 25 10. Arrowroot Tubers and roots 3 3 11. Tapioka Tubers and roots 6 4 12. Yarm Tubers and roots 4 5 13. Other tubers Tubers and roots 3 5 14. Turmeric Tubers and roots 18 13 15. Ginger Tubers and roots 12 3 16. Citrus Trees 13 13 17. Mango Trees 47 31 18. Common Trees Trees 41 40 19. Fruit Trees Trees 15 15 20. Common Leafy Leafy greens 6 7 greens 21. Amaranths Leafy greens 6 6 22. Chaow Chaow Vegetables 3 3 23. Bottle Gourd Vegetables 3 3 24. Ivy Gourd Vegetables 3 3

26 25. Ash Gourd Vegetables 5 5 26. Pumpkin Vegetables 6 6 27. Bitter Gourd Vegetables 4 4 28. Chilly Vegetables 5 5 29. Snake Gourd Vegetables 3 3 30. Pappaya Vegetables 3 4 31. Sponge Gourd Vegetables 2 2 32. Bringal Vegetables 8 8 33. Cucumber Vegetables 5 5 34. Ladies finger/ Okra Vegetables 4 4 35. Legumes Legumes 50 36 Total

Table No. 5.1: The number of crop varieties listed for the study and the number of varieties mapped

The table below summarizes the number of crop varieties listed and recorded. Many varieties listed are not there in cultivation right now at the same time many new varieties, both farmer varieties and improved varieties, are being introduced to the farmlands in recent years. Rare are those varieties found in less than five famer plots.

Listed Recorded New to list Rare Crops 37 48 14 5 Varieties 461 432 37 164

Table No. 5.2: The Crop Varieties Listed for the Study and Mapped

5.2. STATUS AND the tablebelow excluding the varieties with DISTRIBUTION OF CROP less tha five records are as follows. VARIETIES IN WAYANAD Kochutti, Edavaka, Mundakan, Cheriya 5.2.1. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF kaima, Mullanchanna, Thaichoonal, RICE Palveliyan, Manjuvari, Poothala,Marathondi, Chembathi, Chomaala chuvannamodan, There were total of 97 varieties of rice Kochuvith, Thavalakannan, Padukuliyan, reported at Wayanad. Out of which 86 Kodiyan, Mullanpuncha, Kakkathondi, varieties were traditional and 11 varieties Mannuveliyan, Karum kaima, Valiya kaima, were improved. Rice varieties from all over Kootadan, Palakadan matta, Okka veliyan, India are being cultivated at Wayanad. Mannu veliyan, Chembakam, Marathondi, 62 varities are cultivating by less than five Chenalthondi, Velumbaya, Karibhayan, farmers. The reported varieties are listed in 27 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Vellimuth, Kanakam, Kuttiveliyan, Kanali, Burma Black, Assam black, Kagisaly, Ponmani, Kuruva, Urunikaima, Onachanna, Okka Vasumathy, Jyothy, Shreyas, Jaganath, puncha, Rakthasali, Kumkumasali, Vysakh, Kalyani, Rose Matta. Out of the listed Chembavu, Vedhandam, Kunnum rice varieties Valichoori the traditional variety kulamban, Peruvaka, Palkaima, Kunjicheera, and Athira improved variety are the widely Kunjuji, Punnadan thondi, Karuthan, cultivated varieties. Thonnampuncha, Njavara chuvanathond, Kurumatta, Krishna kamothi, Kothandan, Red jasmine, White jasmine, Kalajeera, Ramli,

No. Status No. Improved Status Traditional Varieties Varieties 1 Valichoori Most cultivated 1 Athira Most cultivated 2 Gandhakasala Largely cultivated 2 Uma Most cultivated 3 Adukkan Largely cultivated 3 Jaya Largely cultivated 4 Thondi Largely cultivated 4 Kanchana Commonly cultivated 5 Veliyan Largely cultivated 5 Bharathy Rare 6 Aryan Largely cultivated 6 Sabari Rare 7 Jeerakasala Commonly cultivated 7 Pavizham Rare 8 Ayiram meni Commonly cultivated 8 Palathira Rare 9 Anakomban Commonly cultivated 9 Aswathy Rare 10 Chennelu Commonly cultivated 10 IR 20 Rare 11 Chettuveliyan Commonly cultivated 11 Kanakam Rare 12 Athiyan Rare 13 Chomala Rare 14 Mullan Kaima Rare 15 Thonnuram thondi Rare 16 Koduveliyan Rare 17 Palthondi Rare 18 Kaima Rare 19 Kaladiaryan Rare 20 Chenthadi Rare 21 Kudak veliyan Very Rare 22 Aryankali Very Rare 23 Puncha Very Rare 24 Njavara Very Rare 25 Chembavu Very Rare

Table No.5.3: Status of Distribution of Rice Varieties in Wayanad

28 The figerbelow shows the pattern of distribution western, wet, parts of Wayanad areopting of traditional rice varieties in the district. It Adukkan, and thus spreading its extent. shows that the variety Valichoori, which is a Thondi and Veliyan the two most preferred recently selected farmer variety have only varieties by most of the traditional farmers are less than 15 years of history of cultivation is reducing its extent. And the interviews show expanding to almost equal land area with a trend of adoption of traditional varieties the improved variety Uma. Gandhakasala by more farmers.These all are the evidences the specialty rice is also cultivated by more for farmer adaptations to changing climatic number of farmers even though the extent of conditions.

Fig. No.5.1: Status of Distribution of Traditional Rice Varieties in Wayanad

cultivation is less. Adukkan is a variety which Athira and Uma are the most cultivated is suitable for more sandy and dry soil. It was improved variety by farmers in Wayanad. This cultivated largely towards the dry region of selection is also influenced by the availability Bathery Thaluk, but the present study shows of seeds and the department distribution. For a trend that more farmers from the north last few years the agricultural department is

29 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties distributing Athira and Uma through the formal seed system. Athira is also found as suitable for direct sowing, thus reduces the labour days for replanting. This also helps the farmers to adjust their crop season towards the end of August after the heavy rain and flood during July and August. The figer given below shows the pattern of distribution of improved rice varieties in Wayanad.

Fig. 5.2: Status of Distribution of Improved Rice Varieties

The Maps below shows the distribution of rice as acrop and important varities in Wayanad district.

30 The Status Distribution of Rice in Wayanad

Paddy tr Adukkan vty dis map Paddy tr Aryan vty dis map

Paddy tr Chenthadi vty dis map Paddy tr Chettuveliyan vty dis map

Paddy tr Chomala vty dis map 31 Paddy tr Gandhakasala vty dis map Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Paddy tr Jeerakasala vty dis map Paddy tr Kaima vty dis map

Paddy tr Kalladiaryan vty dis map Paddy tr Karumkaima vty dis map

Paddy tr Kochooty vty dis map Paddy tr Kochuvithu vty dis map

Paddy tr Kodiyan vty dis map. Paddy\Paddy tr Koduveliyan vty dis map

32 Paddy tr Kudakuveliyan vty dis map Paddy tr Mannuveliyan vty dis map

Paddy tr Mullanchanna vty dis map Paddy tr Mullankaima vty dis map

Paddy tr Mullanpunja vty dis map Paddy tr Mundakan vty dis map

Paddy tr Navara vty dis map Paddy tr Onamottan vty dis map

33 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Paddy tr Padukaliyan vty dis map Paddy tr Palathira vty dis map

Paddy tr Palthondy vty dis map Paddy tr Palveliyan vty dis map

Paddy tr Thavalakkannan vty dis map Paddy tr Valichoori vty dis map

Paddy tr Valiyakaima vty dis map.jpg Paddy tr Veliyan vty dis map

34 Paddy tr anakonban vty dis map Paddy tr poothala vty dis map

Paddy tr thaichungan vty dis map Paddy tr thondy vty dis map

Paddy tr thonnuram thondi vty dis map Pady tr Ayirammeny Vty dis map

Paddy imp Sabhari vty dis map Paddy imp Athira vty dis map

35 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Paddy imp Jaya vty dis map Paddy imp Kanjana vty dis map

Pady tr chennellu vty dis map Paddy tr Jeerakasala vty dis map

PAddy imp Sabhari vty dis map Paddy imp Uma vty dis map

Paddy imp Uma vty dis map

36 5.2.2. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PEPPER

Thirty five varieties of pepper were reported Chomala namban. Panniyur is the most from Wayanad (Reff…). Out of which 33 were cultivated pepper variety while Karimunda is traditional and 2 were improved varieties. the most cultivated traditional variety. Unlike The currently cultivated pepper varieties and the case of rice more than 70 per cent of the their status in Wayanad are listed below in pepper farmers opted for Panniyoor while table No. .. The varieties which are reported some farmers kept some vines of traditional from less than five farmlands are as follows, varieties in their farm along with Panniyoor. Kulangadan, Kallumukku Vally, Theva, Karimunda is the only traditional variety Nadeshan, NadanKolly, Neelamunda, which farmers cultivate as the main variety. Highrange, Ottamaniyan, Moolamthiri, All other traditional varieties are the old wines Moolamcheriyar, Muttiyaramundi, remains along with the preferred varieties in Moolamtheeni, Elamundi,Vellanamban, the farm land. Chumala, Cherumaniyan, Chettan,

Sl. Pepper varieties Frequency No 1 Karimunda Largely cultivated 2 Wayanadan bolt Common 3 Karimkotta Common 4 Kalluvally Common 5 Jeerakamundi Common 6 Cheru valli Common 7 Arkkala mundi Common but less in Number 8 Uthiran Common but less in Number 9 Valankotta Common but less in Number 10 Vellanamban Common but less in Number 11 Ayimbiriyan Rare 12 Thirimuriyan Rare 13 Thulamundi Rare 14 Kuthiravalan Vary rare 15 Thandiyodan Vary rare 16 Cheriyakaniyakadan Vary rare Improved Varieties 1 Panniyur The most cultivated 2 Malabar XL Rare

Table. No.5.4: Status of Pepper varieties in Wayanad

37 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Fig. No.5.3: Status of Distribution of Pepper Varieties in Wayanad

The map below shows the distribution of pepper in Wayanad.

The Status Distribution of Pepper In Wayanad

38 Pepper tr Arkalamundi Pepper tr Ayimbiriyan vty dis map

Pepper tr Cheriya kaniyakkadan vty dis map Pepper tr Cheruvalli vty dis map

Pepper tr Jeerakamundi vty dis map Pepper tr Kalluvally vty dis map

Pepper tr Karimunda vty dis map Pepper tr Kuthiravalan vty dis map

Pepper tr Thandiyodan vty dis map Pepper tr Thulamundi vty dis map

39 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Pepper tr Uthiran vty dis map Pepper tr Valankotta vty dis map

Pepper tr Vellanamban vty dis map Pepper tr Wayanadan bolt vy dis map

pepper tr Karinkotta vty dis map pepper tr Thirimuriyan vty dis map

Pepper imp Panniyoor vty dis map

40 5.2.3. STATUS OF BANANA VARIETIES

There are total of 23 varieties of banana cultivated variety. The number of farm lands cultivated at Wayanad. Out of which 19 were where Njalipoovan is reported is almost falf traditional and 4 were improved. Nadan of the Nandan nendran but the extent of Nendran is the mostly cultivated variety for farming and number of plants is minimal as it commercial purposes. The commercial is not commercially cultivated variety. The list cultivation of Nadan Nendran is mostly in of banana varieties and their status is below the wet lands. Njalipoovan is the widely in the table

No. Banana Varieties Status 1 Nadan Nenthra Most Cultivated 2 Njalipoovan Widely cultivated 3 Robusta Common 4 Mysore Poovan Common 5 Poovan Common 6 Palayamkodan Common 7 Kadhali Common 8 Mezhukuthiri Common 9 Vannan Common 10 Chenkadhali Common 11 Poojakadhali Rare 12 Paduvazha Rare 13 Vettan Rare 14 Kunnan Rare 15 Ponnan Rare 16 Pachakadhali Very Rare 17 Charakadhali Very Rare 18 Thakala Very Rare 19 Charapoovan Very Rare 20 Kali Very Rare 21 Swarnamughi Very Rare 22 Grobish Very Rare 23 Moris Very Rare

Table No. 5.5: Status of Banana Vareities Cultivating in Wayanad

41 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Banana is a widely cultivated food crop in banana is the one crop which has affected the region as part of the homestead farming. by the commercialization of farming and the The resent research identifies that the diversity gained importance of cash crop farming in of the crop in the farmland is residing. While the dry land. The diagram No. .., below shows it gained the status of a commercial crop the status of distribution of Banana varieties and the extent of its cultivation is increased in Wayanad. the diversity is reduced considerably. Native

Fig 5: Status of Banana Vareities Cultivating in Wayanad The map below shows the distribution of Banana in Wayanad district. The varietal distribution maps are given as continuation.

The Status Distribution of Banana in Wayanad

42 Banana tr charakadali vty dis map Banana tr chemkadali vty dis map

Banana tr kadali vty dis map Banana tr kannan vty dis map

Banana tr kuthiravalan vty dis map Banana tr Mezhukuthiri vty dis map

Banana tr moris vty dis map Banana tr mysore vty dis map 43 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Banana tr naadan nendra vty dis map Banana tr Njali poovan vty dis map

Banana tr other vty dis map Banana tr paalayamkodan vty dis map

Banana tr pacha kadali vty dis map Banana tr ponnan vty dis map

Banana tr poojakadali vty dis map Banana tr poovan vty dis map

44 Banana tr robusta vty dis map Banana tr vannan vty dis map

Banana tr vettan vty dis map

45 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.4. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF Vellamattu kachil, Bharani kachil, Kavala TUBERS kuthi, Chora kachil, Kalan thoonan kachil, Kalan irachi kachil, Vazhavadakkan, Sree 5.2.4.1 DIOSCOREA keerthi, Sree roopa, Sree silpa, Sree kala, Sree There were total of 54 varieties of dioscorea subhra, Sree priya, Sree dhanya, Sree latha, are reported as cultivated at Wayanad. African. List of dioscoria varieties which were Out of which 45 were traditional and 9 were reported in higher frequency listed below. All improved. Most commonly seen Varieties of the improved varieties introduced by the were Vella kachil, Neela kachil, Inchi Kachil tuber crop research institutes are reported as and Neendi. Less reported varieties are rarely cultivating. Cherukizhangu, Irachi Kachil, Quintal Kachil, Kayyala Poliyan, Kuppoonthi Kizhangu, Kolli There is an increasing trend of commercial Kachil, Kuzhi Kavath, Karadi Kayyan, Kandi cultivation of dioscorea by farmers. They Kachil, Biriyani Kachil, Violet Kachil, African, have selected varieties such as Injikachil and Mattu kachil, Pooda kizhangu, Madagasker, Vellakachil for market oriented cultivation. Adathappu, Vella adathappu, Orissa The number of farmers opting for dioscorea adathappu, Nooran, Velli nooran, Alappi cultivation is only 19 per cent of the total noora, Perum kizhangu, Vazhavadakkan, sample collected. The diagram below shows Ari kizhangu, Kanjiravalli kizhangu, Mullan the status of dioscorea varieties cultivated in kizhangu, Kuruttu kachil, Mannooran, the district.

No. Dioscorea Varieties Frequency 1 Vellakachil Most cultivated 2 Neelakachil Most cultivated 3 Inchikachil Vella Most cultivated 4 Neendi Common 5 Nadan Kachil Common 6 Inchikachil Chuvappu Common 7 Thoonan Kachil Rare 8 Urulan Kachil Rare 9 Kaduvakayyan Rare 10 Gandhasala Kachil Very Rare 11 Parijakodan Very Rare 12 Naara Very Rare

Table No. 5.6: Status of Dioscorea

46 Fig. No 5.5: Status and Distribution Pattern of Dioscoria Varieties

The Status Distribution of Diaescorea tuber crop

Dioscoria Vella kaachil vty dis map Dioscoria tr Neela kaachil vty dis map

47 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Dioscoria Inji kaachil white vty dis map Dioscoria tr Neendi vty dis map

Dioscoria tr Inji kaachil red vty dis map Dioscoria tr Thoonan kaachil vty dis map

Dioscoria tr Urulan kaachil vty dis map Dioscoria tr Kaduvakayyan vty dis map

Dioscoria tr Gandhakasala kaachil vty dis map

48 There is an increasing trend of commercial cultivation of dioscorea by farmers. They have selected varieties such as Injikachil and Vellakachil for market oriented cultivation. The number of farmers opting for dioscorea cultivation is only 19 per cent of the total sample collected. The diagram below shows the status of dioscorea varieties cultivated in the district.

5.2.4.2. YAM

Elephant foot yam is a food crop turned to commercial crop in recent past. The crop is cultivated mostly by small farmers and women groups. It is not an optional crop for many larger commercial farmers. Four varieties of yam were reported from Wayanad in various studies. Yam is an important crop as it ensures local food security and income to the marginal farmers.Wayanadan is the most popular variety among farmers, While Gagendra the improved variety also opted by farmers as it is big in size and yield more. The table bellow gives status of yarn varieties cultivated in Wayanad.

No. Yam Varieties Frequency 1 Wayanadan Most cultivated 2 Gajendhra (Im- Common proved) 3 Neychena Rare 4 Kappachena Rare

The Diagram given below gives the status of distribution of yam varieties in Wayanad.

Fig. 5.6: Status and distribution pattern of Yam Varieties

49 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

The bellow map shows the status and distributionyam in Wayanad and shows that it spread all over the district.

The Status Distribution of yam in Wayanad.

Elafent footyam imp Gajendra Dis Map

50 5.2.4.3. ARROWROOT variety reported as cultivated in farm lands, while all the other three varieties are present Arrowroot is a native crop whose commercial as part of the unmanaged diversity of the potential is not yet tapped. The crop still farm lands. So these rare varieties are only remains as a less managed homestead crop. present in the less managed farms of small Five arrow root varieties are reported from farmers. The table below shows the status of Wayanad and only one among them is in arrowroot varieties in Wayanad. active cultivation. Vellakoova is the only one

Sl. No Arrow root Varieties Frequency 1 Vella koova Commonly 2 Madhura koova Rare 3 Nadan koova Rare 4 Manjakoova Rare 5 Nelakoova Rare

Table 22: Status of Arrow Root varities cultivating in Wayanad.

The diagram bellow shows the distribution of arrowroot varieties in Wayanad.

Fig. No.5.7: Status and Distribution Pattern of Arrowroot Varieties

51 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

The Map bellow shows the distribution of arrowroot in Wayanad. The crop is cultivated in all parts of the district even though the density of the crop is very less. The data shows that this importance crop with nutritional and medicinal importance it need urgent conservation intervention.

The Status Distribution of Arrowroot in Wayanad

Arrowroot Tr Vellakoova Dis Map Arrowroot Tr Madhurakoova Dis Map

52 5.2.4.4. TAPIOCA

Tapioca is the crop migrated to Wayanad from different parts of Kerala brought as part of the farmer migrations for food varieties of tapioca here for cultivation. production. Tapioca farming started in large The present study informs that tapioca is scale while the forests of Wayanad has been still widely cultivated by small and marginal cleared for timber and then to establish teak farmers for food and for local markets. Large plantations. Many farmers, big and small, scale cultivation of tapioca is not prevailed migrated to Wayanad for tapioca cultivation in the district any more. Thirteen varieties in the leased out forests by the department. of tapioca were reported as cultivated in Later it became part of the food basket of Wayanad. Wayanadan Vella is the variety the farming community and a source of which is under wider cultivation currently. The Income. Tapioca has lost its position as a table no. …, given below illustrates the status prime commercial crop in Wayanad with of different tapioca varieties in the district the expansion of pepper and other export currently. oriented cash crops cultivation. The farmers

No. Tapioca Varieties Frequency 1 Wayanadan Vella Most cultivated 2 Wayanadan Kattan Common 3 Ambhakadan Common 4 Nenthra Poola Common 5 Nadan kappa Common 6 Chaya Poola Common 7 M4 Common 8 Koombukarappan Rare 9 Mixture Rare 10 Aram masam Rare 11 Sundhari kappa Rare 12 Quintal kappa Rare 13 Aanakomban Rare

Table No. 5.8: Status of Tapioca varieties under Cultivation in Wayanad

53 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

The given below shows the status of the tapioca varieties cultivated in Wayanad.

Fig. No5.8: The Pattern and distribution of Tapioca Varieties in Wayanad

The map given below shows the distribution of the tapioca in Wayanad.

Status and Distribution of Tapioca in Wayanad.

54 Tapioca Tr Wayanadan Vella Dis Map Tapioca Tr Wayanadan kattan Dis Map

Tapioca Tr Chaya poola Dis Map Tapioca Tr Nendrapoola Dis Map

Tapioca Tr Nadan Koombukarapan Dis Map

55 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.4.5 GINGER farming in some pockets of Wayanad where land is available. Ginger farming and farmers Ginger is the ancient crop of the region and are migrated from Wayanad to Karnataka has ancient tradition of collection cultivation and even up to north India. There were 15 and export of the same. Ginger was a main varieties of ginger reported from Wayanad. economic crop in the district still the end of Maran, Nadan, Himachal and Riodewas 1990s. After that the land fragmentation and the highest reported varieties. Assam, diseases reduced the large-scale farming of Kozhikalan, Kari inji and Chuvanna inji were ginger in the region. But still small farmers in the least reported varieties. The table no…., their homesteads and in wetlands continue given below gives details of Ginger varieties cultivation of ginger. There is large-scale cultivating in Wayanad currently.

No. Ginger Varieties Frequency 1 Maran Most Cultivated 2 Nadan Largely Cultivated 3 Himachal Largely Cultivated 4 Riode Largely Cultivated 5 Chukkmaran Common 6 Mahima Common 7 Varadha Common 8 Malainchi Rare 9 Neelamaran Rare 10 Vella maran Rare 11 Mangainchi Rare 12 Assam Very rare 13 Kozhikalan Very rare 14 Kari inji Very rare 15 Chuvanna inji Very rare

Table No. 5.9: Status of Ginger Varities Cultivated in Wayanad

56 The figure given below shows the status of different ginger varieties in Wayanad.

Fig No. 5.9: The Pattern of Distribution of Ginger Varieties

The map given below shows the distribution of ginger in Wayanad district. Ginger is cultivated all along the region with more concentration in the middle part of Wayanad.

Status Distribution of Ginger in Wayanad

57 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Ginger Tr Maaran Dis Map Ginger Tr Naadan Dis Map

Ginger Tr Himachal Dis Map Ginger Tr Riyodi Dis Map

Ginger tr Chukku Maaran Dis Map Ginger Tr Mahima Dis Map

Ginger Tr Mala Inji Dis Map Ginger Tr Varada Dis Map

58 Ginger Tr Neela Maaran Dis Map Ginger Tr Vella Maaran Dis Map

59 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.4.6. TURMERIC

Turmeric is the native crop which has the is very less in number. A proper marketing legacy of trade, culture and medicinal use intervention may be able to help to improve of the region. Systematic framing of turmeric the production of turmeric in Wayanad. is very low in Wayanad even though the use There were 7 traditional varieties and 14 value and price of the spice is very high. The improved varieties of turmeric reported from crop is not susceptible to any disease or need Wayanad. Wayanadanis the most cultivated much care; still farming of turmeric is limited variety and Aramoor and other improved to household use and very meager trade. varieties were the lowest reported varieties. The number of farm lands recorded the The table given below is showing the status presence of turmeric is higher than tubers and of each turmeric variety under cultivation in ginger, but the farmers cultivating for trade Wayanad.

No. Turmeric Varieties Frequency 1 Wayanadan Most cultivated 2 Sugandham Rare 3 Varna Rare 4 Prathiba Rare 5 Kasthuri Manjal Rare 6 Kottoor Rare 7 Karimanjal Rare 8 Thekoorpetta Very Rare 9 Kanthi Very Rare 10 Aramoor Very Rare 11 Sudharshana Very Rare 12 Prabha Very Rare 13 Suguna Very Rare 14 Sona Very Rare 15 Suvarna Very Rare 16 Varadha Very Rare 17 Mysore Very Rare 18 Alappy supreme Very Rare 19 Sobha Very Rare 20 Israel Very Rare 21 Silon Very Rare

Table No. 5.10: The Status of Turmeric Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

60 The figure given below shows the pattern of distribution of turmeric varieties in Wayanad

Fig No. 10: Status of Distribution of Turmeric Varieties cultivated in Wayanad

The map shows the distribution turmeric in Wayanad.

Distribution of Turmeric in Wayanad

61 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

turmeric tr Aramoor vty dis map turmeric tr Kanthi vty dis map

turmeric tr Kodoor vty dis map turmeric tr other vty dis map

turmeric tr Prathiba vty dis map turmeric tr Sudarshana vty dis map

Turmeric tr Sugandham vty dis map turmeric tr Suguna vty dis map 62 turmeric tr Suvarna vty dis map turmeric tr Thekoorpetta vty dis map

turmeric tr Varnna vty dis map turmeric tr Wayanadan vty dis map

63 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5 .2.4.7. COLOCASIA

Colocasia is part of the main diet of farming from Wayanad. Palchembu, Nanachembu, communities in the district. It was cultivated Makkalepotti, Karimchembu are the most for household consumption and now cultivated varieties. becoming a minor marketable crop. There were 28 varieties of colocasia reported

No Colacasia Varieties Status 1 Palchembu Most cultivated 2 Nanachembu Common 3 Makalepotty Common 4 Karimchembu Common 5 Cheemachembu Common 6 Cheruchembu Very Rare 7 Vayal Chembu Very Rare 8 Neela pal chembu Very Rare 9 Kappa chembu Very Rare 10 Kannan chembu Very Rare 11 Aattu kannan Very Rare 12 Chuvanna thamarakannan Very Rare 13 Pacha thamarakannan Very Rare 14 Karutha kannan Very Rare 15 Aarattupuzha kannan Very Rare 16 Chemban chembu Very Rare 17 Neela makkale potti Very Rare 18 Sree lakshmi Very Rare 19 Karim thal Very Rare 20 Velum thal Very Rare 21 Kolli thal Very Rare 22 Neela vettu chembu Very Rare 23 Pacha vettu chembu Very Rare 24 Cheru chembu Very Rare 25 Pooda chembu Very Rare 26 Kudavazha chembu Very Rare 27 Kotta chembu Very Rare 28 Mukthakesi chembu Very Rare

Table No.5.11: Status of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

64 The figuregiven below shows the pattern of distribution of the cultivated colocasia varieties in Wayanad. It is evident that many of the native varieties are in the stage of extinction.

Fig 5.11: The Pattern of distribution of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

The below given map shoing the geographic distribution og colacasia in Wayanad.

Status and distribution of Colocasia Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

65 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Colocasia Nanachembu vty dis map Colocasia Palchembu vty dis map

Colocasia Karimchembu vty dis map

66 5.2.4.8. OTHER TUBERS

There many other tuber crops cultivating has come down to very minimal farm lands. in Wayanad for consumption purposes Others are new additions to the list of crops many of them are under treat of extinction. in Wayanad and still have not gained the Five other tubers were also reported and potential to call as a preferable crop for the they were Sweet potato, Chinese potato, region. Beetroot, Onion and carrot. Sweet potato was cultivated in Wayanad largely but it

No Other tubers Frequency 1 Sweet potato Common 2 Chinese potato Common 3 Beetroot Very Rare 4 Onion Very Rare 5 Carrot Very Rare

Table no. 5.12: Status of Other Tuber Crops Cultivated in Wayanad.

The figure given below shows the pattern of distribution of different minor tubers in Wayanad.

Fig No. 5.12: The Pattern of Distribution of Other Tuber Varieties

Map No. ..: The Geographic Distribution of Minor Tubers in Wayanad District

67 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of other tubers in Wayanad

5.2.5. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF VEGETABLES CULTIVATED IN WAYANAD 5.2.5.1. CUCUMBER

There were 6 varieties of cucumber reported. Highest reported variety was Unda vellari and lowest reported one was Mullan vellari.

No Cucumber Varieties Frequency 1 Unda vellari 245 2 Neenda vellari 182 3 Akasha vellari 99 4 Thothaka 25 5 Nadan 4 6 Mullan vellari 2

Table 28: Status of Cukumber Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

68 Fig No. 5.13: The Pattern of distribution of Cucumber Varieties

The Map below shws the Geographic distribution of cucumber Varities in the district of Wayanad.

Status and distribution of of Cucumber in Wayanad

69 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Cucumber Unda vellari vty dis map Cucumber Neendavellary vty dis map

Cucumber Akasavellari veroty dis map Cucumber Thathakka vty dis map

5.2.5.2. LADIES FINGER/ OKRA

Five varieties of ladies fingers were reported. Out of which block venda was an improved variety. Highest reported variety was Kuttivenda.

No. Okra Varieties Frequency 1 Kutti Venda Mostly cultivated 2 Mara Venda Common 3 Nela venda Common 4 Nadan Venda Rare 5 Block Venda Rare

Table 29: Status of Okra

70 Fig 15: Status and distribution Pattern of Okra Varieties

The map given bellow shows the special distribution of Okra cultivated in Wayanad.

Status and distribution of Okra in Wayanad

71 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Ladyfinger Tr Kutti Venda Dis Map Ladyfinger Tr Mara Venda Dis Map

Ladyfinger Tr Neela Venda Dis Map Ladyfinger Tr Others Dis Map

5.2.5.3. CHILLI

Nine varieties of chillies were reported from Wayanad. Komban mulaku, Kanthari, Vella Kanthari and violet mulaku are the common varieties.

No Chilli Varieties Frequency 1 Komban mulak Most cultivated 2 Kanthari Largely cultivated 3 Vella kanthari Common 4 Violet mulak Common 5 Unda mulak Rare 6 Capsicum Rare 7 Jimikki kanthari Rare 8 Ujwala Rare 9 Soochimughi Rare

72 Table 30: Status of Chilli Varieties Cultivated in Wayanad

Fig 16: Status and Distribution Pattern of Chilli Varieties

Status and distribution of Chilly in Wayanad

73 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Chilli Tr Komban Mulaku Dis Map Chilli Tr Kaanthari Dis Map

Chilli Tr Vella Kaanthari Dis Map Chilli Tr Violet Mulaku Dis Map

74 5.2.5.4. LEAFY GREENS

Nine varieties were reported as leafy greens and they are listed below. Red and green spinach, muringa, were the highest reported leafy green varieties.

No Leafy greens varieties Frequency 1 Cheera Red Most cultivated 2 Cheera Green Largely cultivated 3 Muringa Largely cultivated 4 Mullan cheera Common 5 Cabbage Common 6 Cauliflower Rare 7 Karanampotti Rare 8 Broccoli Rare

Table 31: Status of Leafy Green Varieties

Fig. No. 17: Status and Distribution of Leafy Greens Varieties

75 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Leafy green in Wayanad

Leafy green i Tr Spinach red Dis Map Leafy green Tr Spinach Green Dis Map

Leafy green Tr Drumstick Dis Map Leafy green Tr Spinach(Amaranthus spinosus) Dis Map

76 Leafy green Tr Karanam Potti Dis Map

77 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.5.5. ASH GOURD

Five varieties of ash gourd were reported and highest reported was Valiya kumbalam. The least reported variety was Unda kumbalam.

No Ash Gourd Varieties Frequency 1 Nadan Kumbalam Mostly cultivated 2 Valiya Kumbalam Largely cultivated 3 Kunji Kumbalam Common 4 Neyykumbalam Common 5 Unda kumbalam Common

Table 32: Status of Ash Gourd Varieties cultivated in Wayanad

Fig 18: Status and distribution Pattern of Ash Gourd varieties

78 Status and distribution of ash gourd in Wayanad

Ash gourd Nadan kumbalam vty dis map Ash gourd valiyakumbalam vty dis map

Ash gourd Kumbalam cheruthu vty dis map ash gourd Neyyakumbalam vty dis map

79 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.5.6. BRINJAL

Eight varieties of brinjal were reported. Nithya vazhuthananga was the highest reported variety

No Brinjal varieties Frequency 1 Aanakomban 348 2 Violet neendath 308 3 Violet unda 200 4 Violet medium 102 5 Vellari Vazhuthanaga 102 6 Kathrika 61 7 Pacha vazhuthanaga 56

Table 33: Status of Brinjal varieties cultivating in Wayanad

Below given figure shows the status and distribution pattern of Brinjal varieties in Wayanad.

Fig 19: Status and distribution Pattern of Brinjal Varieties

80 Status and distribution of of Brinjal in Wayanad

Brinjal tr Aanakkomban vty dis map Brinjal tr Aanakkomban vty dis map

Brinjal tr violet long vty dis map Brinjal tr violet balltype vty dis map

81 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Brinjal tr violet medium vty dis map Brinjal tr vellari vazhuthana vty dis map

Brinjal tr Karthika vty dis map Brinjal tr Pacha vazuthana vty dis map

82 5.2.5.7. PAPAYA

Papaya is a commonly used and cultivated vegetable and fruit for consumption. Three varieties of papaya are reported from Wayanad. Out of which red lady is an improved variety.

No Papaya varieties Frequency 1 Yellow papaya Most Cultivated 2 Nadan Largely cultivated 3 Red lady Common

Table 34: Status of papaya

The below figer shows the stataus and distribution patten of Papaya varieties in Wayanad.

Fig 20: Status and Distribution of Papaya Varieties

83 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Papaya in Wayanad

Pappaya Tr Manja Pappaya Dis Map Pappaya Tr Others Dis Map

Pappaya im Red Lady Dis Map

84 3.2.5.8. CHOW – CHOW

Two varieties of chow- chow were reported and they were green and white.

No Chow-chow varieties Frequency 1 Green chow chow Common 2 White chow chow Common

Table 35: Status of Chow- Chow Varieties

Below given figure shows the status and distribution pattern of Ash guard varieties in Wayanad.

Fig 21: Status of Chow Chow Varieties

85 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Chau Chau in Wayanad

Green chow chow White chow chow

5.2.5.9. IVY GOURD

Ivy guard is also a vegetable crop cultivated for consumption. Two varieties of Ivy gourd were reported and they were long and medium varieties.

No. Ivy Gourd varieties Frequency 1 Long Most cultivated 2 Medium Rare

Table 5.21: Status of Ivy Gourd

86 Status and distribution of Ivy gourd in Wayanad

Ivy guard Other Vty Dis map Ivy guard Tr.Neendathu Vty Dis map

5.2.5.10. RIDGE GOURD

Ridge Gourd is also a very rare vegetable crop cultivated in Wayanad. Three varieties of ridge gourd were reported from Wayanad. Out of three Pottikka was the most common variety.

Sl. No Ridge Gourd varieties Frequency 1 Pottika Common 2 Chakiri peechinga Rare 3 Mysore Rare

Table 5.22: Status of Ridge Gourd Varities 87 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Ridge gourd in Wayanad

3.2.5.11. BOTTLE GOURD

Three varieties of bottle gourd were reported and are listed below. Long bottle gourd was the commonly reported variety.

Sl. No Bottle Gourd varieties Frequency 1 Neendath Common 2 Unda Rare 3 Nadan Rare

Table No. 5.23: Status of Bottle Gourd

Status and distribution of Bottle gourd in Wayanad 88 Fig 24: Status and distribution Pattern of Bottle Gourd Varieties

3.2.5.12. BITTER GOURD

Bitter Gourd is a widely cultivated vegetable for consumption and also for commercial purposes. Five varieties of bitter gourd were reported. Most common variety was white colored bitter gourd.

No Bitter gourd varieties Frequency 1 Vella Most cultivated 2 Karimpacha Common 3 Kattupaval Common 4 Hybrid Rare 5 Nadan Rare

Table 5.24: Status of Bitter Guard

89 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Below given figure shows the status and distribution pattern of Bitter Guard varieties in Wayanad.

Fig 25: Status and Distribution Pattern of Bitter Gourd Varieties

90 Status and distribution of Bitter gourd in Wayanad

Bitter gourd tr karimpacha paaval vty dis Bitter gourd tr vella paaval vty dis map map

Bitter gourd tr kaattupaaval vty dis map 91 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

3.2.5.13. PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is a widely cultivated vegetable for consumption. Six varieties of pumpkin were reported from Wayanad. The varieties are listed from farmer’s local names and no systematic characterization has been done among any of the vegetable varieties. Three varieties, viz., Pacha Mathan, Chatti Mathan and Neelan Mathan were the most frequently reported varieties.

No Pumpkin varieties Frequency 1 Pacha Mathan Most cultivated 2 Chatti mathan Common 3 Neelan Mathan Common 4 Neelan Puli Mathan Common 5 Nadan Mathan Common 6 Vellari Mathan Common

Table 40: Status of Pumpkin

Fig 26: Status and Distribution Status of Pumpkin Varieties

92 Status and distribution of Pumpkin in Wayanad

Pumpkin Pacha mathan vty dis map Pumpkin chatti mathan vty dis map

Pumpkin Neelanmathan vty dis map Pumpkin neelan pulli Mathan vty dis map

Pumpkin chatti mathan vty dis map Pumpkin Vellarimathan vty dis map

93 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

3.2.5.14. PULSES AND LEGUMES

Pulses and legumes are considered as one group for this study. 57 varieties of pulses were reported. Out of which Valli payar wass the most common variety. The other pulses and the frequency with which they reported are listed below.

No Pulse varieties Frequency 1 Valli payar Kanamulla thondu Most cultivated 2 Vallipayar brown colour seed Largely cultivated 3 Nadan beans Largely cultivated 4 Vallivaloram Largely cultivated 5 Chathurapayar Largely cultivated 6 Vallipayar brown thondu Largely cultivated 7 Kuttipayar black seed Largely cultivated 8 Thuvarapayar Largely cultivated 9 Valli beans black seed Common 10 Valli beans cream seed Common 11 Vallipayar violet colour thondu Common 12 Kolaikuthypayar dark brown seed Common 13 Chedi beans Common 14 Lolavallipayar Common 15 Kutti beans light brown seed Common 16 Lolavithapayar dark brown seed Common 17 Vithapayar ash colour seed Common 18 Kuttipayar violet and black seed Common 19 Kuttipayar dark brown seed Common 20 Chena Payar Red seed Common 21 Kutti beans Cream seed Common 22 Kolaikuthypayar cream seed Common 23 Kuttypayar cream and violet brown seed Common 24 Kuttypayar cream and light brown seed Common 25 Thathachundan Common 26 Kuruthola payar Common 27 Kilichundan Common 28 Kilichundan Common 29 Chenapayar cream seed Common 30 Kuttivaloram Rare 31 Piriyan payar kanamulla thondu Rare 32 Piriyan payar kanamkuraja thondu Rare 33 Vallipayar Rare 34 Pullipayar Rare 94 35 Nadan Rare 36 Meter payar Rare 37 Piriyan payar Rare 38 Brown kadan kodi Rare 39 Pulli beans Rare 40 Pavizhamaniyan Rare 41 Vithapayar Rare 42 Vellamara Rare 43 Brown Amara Rare 44 Pathinettmaniyan Rare 45 Machakotta Rare 46 Geethyka Rare 47 28 Maniyan Rare 48 Karkunthal Rare 49 Vanpayar Rare 50 Soyabean Very Rare 51 Priyanpayar black seed Very Rare 52 Red kadankozhi Very Rare 53 Kanjikuzhipayar cream and ash colour Very Rare seed 54 Kanjikuzhipayar dark brown seed Very Rare 55 Poochakannan Very Rare 56 Kathypayar Very Rare 57 Kotta payar Very Rare

Table 41: Status of Pulses and Legume Varieties in Wayanad

95 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Fig 27: Status and Distribution of Pulses and legumes Varieties

Status and distribution of Legumes in Wayanad

96 Legumes im french beans vty dis map Legumes tr Naadan beans vty dis map

Legumes tr Thatthammachundan vty dis map Legumes tr Thuvarapayar vty dis map

Legumes tr Vellamara vty dis map Legumes tr brown amara vty dis map

Legumes tr brown kaadankodi vty dis map Legumes tr chathurapayar vty dis map

97 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Legumes tr chedi beans vty dis map Legumes tr chenapayar cream seed vty dis map

Legumes tr chenapayar red seed vty dis map Legumes tr kanjikuzhipayar cream ash vty dis map

Legumes tr kanjikuzhipayar dark brown vty dis map Legumes tr kattivalloram vty dis map

Legumes tr kattivaloram vty dis map Legumes tr kilichundan vty dis map

98 Legumes tr kolekutthi cream seed vty dis map Legumes tr kolekutthi darkbrown seed vty dis map

Legumes tr kurutholapayar vty dis map Legumes tr kutti beans cream seed vty dis map

Legumes tr kutti beans light brown seed vty dis map Legumes tr kuttypayar black seed vty dis map.

Legumes tr kuttypayar cream brown seed vty dis Legumes tr kuttypayar dark brown seed vty dis map map

99 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Legumes tr kuttypayar white and brown seed vty dis Legumes tr kuttypayar white and black seed vty dis map map

Legumes tr lolavallipayar vty dis map Legumes tr machakotta vty dis map

Legumes tr other vty dis map Legumes tr pathinettumaniyan vty dis map

Legumes tr pavizhamaniyan vty dis map Legumes tr piriyanpayar big vty dis map

100 Legumes tr red kadankodi vty dis map Legumes tr Periyanpayar vty dis map1

Legumes tr periyanpayar lean vty dis map Legumes tr soyabean vty dis map

Legumes tr vallibeans black seed vty dis map Legumes tr vallibeans cream seed vty dis map

Legumes tr vallipayar brown seed vty dis map Legumes tr vallipayar brown thondu vty dis map

101 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Legumes tr vallipayar huge thondu vty dis map Legumes tr vallipayar violet thondu vty dis map

Legumes tr vallivalloram vty dis map Legumes tr vithapayar ash seed vty dis map

Legumes tr vithapayar dark brown seed vty dis map

102 5.2.6. COCONUT

Coconut was not cultivated was in Wayanad pepper. Thirteen varieties of coconut were till the large scale migration of farmers from reported from Wayanad. Out of which 8 were the plains during mid 1990s. Now it has traditional and 5 were improved. Nadan and become a prominent crop of the region Kerasree were the most reported varieties. have geographical spread all most near

No Coconut varieties Frequency 1 Kerasree Most Cultivated 2 Nadan Largely cultivated 3 Kerasagara Common 4 Chandrakalpa Common 5 TxD Common 6 Kutyadi Common 7 Chenthengu Rare 8 Kullanthengu Rare 9 Pathinettampatta Rare 10 Kasargodan Very Rare 11 Komadan Very Rare 12 Deepa Very Rare 13 Mysore Very Rare

Table 42: Status of Coconut Varieties in Wayanad

Fig 28: Status and Distribution Pattern of Coconut Varieties in Wayanad

103 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Coconut in Wayanad

Coconut tr Chandrakalpa dis map Coconut tr Kerasagara dis map

Coconut tr Kerasree dis map Coconut tr Others dis map 104 5.2.7 COFFEE

Coffee is the plantation crop introduced by resilient crop which can grow and yield in British and then became one of the principal the integrated farms with trees. Arabica cash crops of Wayanad. Coffee has gained was the first introduced coffee variety in importance among small farmers with Wayanad then it has replaced by Robusta as the support of coffee board during 1980s it shown as more suitable to the altitude and and 1990s and lost its demand during the climate. Even though there are few varieties neoliberal era. Now again government is developed and introduced Robusta is the giving importance to coffee as a climate widely accepted variety still.

No Coconut varieties Frequency 1 Robusta Mostly Cultivated 2 Arabica Rare 3 CxR Very Rare 4 Cauveri Vary Rare

Table 43: Status of Coffee Varieties in Wayanad

Fig 29: Status and Distribution of Coffee Varieties

105 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Coconut in Wayanad

Coffe Others vty dis map Coffe Arabikka vty dis map

Coffe Robusta vty dis map

106 5.2.8 ARECA NUT

Areca nut is also an introduced crop to Wayanad. It has spread across the region as an intercrop between pepper and other cash crops. Areca nut is cultivated in wet land and in the dry land. The cultivation of Arecanut led to conversion of large areas of wet land and swamps in to dry lands. There are six varieties of areca nut is under cultivation currently. Kasargodan and Mangala were the mostly cultivated varieties

Sl. No Areca nut Varieties Frequency 1 Mangala Mostly cultivated 2 Kasargodan Widely cultivated 3 Sumangala Common 4 Mettupalayam Rare 5 Intermangala Very rare 6 Mohithnagar Very Rare Table 44: Status of Areca Varieties in Wayanad

Fig 30: Status of areca nut varieties

107 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Arecanut in Wayanad

Aracanut im other vty dis map Aracanut im Mangala vty dis map

Aracanut im mettupalayam vty dis map Aracanut im sumangala 108 5.2.9 SPICES

There are six crops under the group of spices are cultivating in Wayanad. Cardamom was the most common spice crop.

Sl. No Spices Varieties Frequency 1 Elakka/ Cardomom Common 2 Jathika Common 3 Grambu/ Cinomon common 4 Karuvapatta/ common 5 Sarvasughandhi Rare 6 Vanilla Rare

Table 45: Status of spices

Cardamom Clove Nutmeg Cinnamon Allspice Vanilla

Fig 31: Status Distribution Pattern of Spices Varieties

109 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Spices in Wayanad

spicices tr Cinnamon dis map spicices tr other dis map

spicices tr Nutmeg dis map spicices tr cardomom dis map

spicices tr clove dis map 110 5.2.10 MANGO

There are 32 varieties of mango varieties are reported from Wayanad. Komanga and Moovandan are the commonly reported varieties. Both of them are native varieties. Mundakan, Appachan, avalan, Belan and Belasian are reported only once.

Sl. No Mango Varieties Frequency 1 Komanga Most cultivated 2 Moovandan Widely cultivated 3 Ellurmanga Common 4 Nattupuliyan Common 5 Ottumanaga Common 6 Puliyan Common 7 Kilimanga Common 8 Alphonsa Common 9 Thathachundan Common 10 Kappamanga Rare 11 Kadumanga Rare 12 Thenmanga Rare 13 Neelan Rare 14 Oombikudiyan Rare 15 Chakaramanaga Rare 16 Kadumpuliyan Rare 17 Bengaluru Rare 18 Kadan Very Rare 19 Olamanga Very Rare 20 Kurukachi Very Rare 21 Pulikodan Very Rare 22 Pairri Very Rare 23 Kalapadii Very Rare 24 Velaeriyan Very Rare 25 Vaidhyar manga Very Rare 26 Urulan Very Rare 27 Choppan Very Rare

Table 46: Status of Mango Varieties in Wayanad

111 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Fig 32: Status and distribution of Mango Varieties in Wayanad

Status and distribution of Mango in Wayanad

112 Mango vellan Vty dis map Mango Alambur Vty dis map

Mango Alphonsa Vty dis map Mango Appichayan Vty dis map

Mango Avalan Vty dis map Mango Banesayan Vty dis map

Mango Bangaluru Vty dis map Mango Chenappan Vty dis map

113 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Mango Cheriyan Vty dis map Mango thathachundan Vty dis map

Mango Ellur Vty dis map Mango Kaadan Vty dis map

Mango Kadumanga Vty dis map Mango Kalappadi Vty dis map

Mango Kappacheriyan Vty dis map Mango Moovandan Vty dis map

114 Mango Mundappa Vty dis map Mango Naatupuliyan Vty dis map

Mango Nariyan Vty dis map Mango Neelam Vty dis map

Mango Olamanga Vty dis map Mango Other Vty dis map

Mango Ottumanga Vty dis map Mango Pairi Vty dis map

115 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Mango Pulikottan Vty dis map Mango Puliyan Vty dis map

Mango Thenmanga Vty dis map Mango Umbikkudiyan Vty dis map

Mango Undakkan Vty dis map Mango Urulan Vty dis map

Mango Vaydyar managa Vty dis map Mango Vellariyan Vty dis map

116 Mango chakkaramanga Vty dis map Mango kappamanga Vty dis map

Mango komanga Vty dis map Mango kilimanga Vty dis map

Mango kudampuliyan Vty dis map Mango kurukkachi Vty dis map

117 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.11 OTHER FRUIT CROPS

There are 28 fruit crops under active cultivation in Wayanad. Jack fruit is the most cultivated and wide spread fruit crops. List of the fruit crops and the status and distribution are given below. There are many new fruit crops introduced to the Farms ofWayanad in recent years. It was only banana that cultivated for market purposes before. Marathakkali, Velvet apple, Black berry and Grape are reported only one time.

Sl. No Other Fruit Varieties Frequency 1 Jack fruit Most cultivated 2 Guava Widely cultivated 3 Pappaya Very Common 4 Sapota Very Common 5 Athachaka Very Common 6 Orange Very Common 7 Rambootan Very Common 8 Mathalam Very Common 9 Mangostein Common 10 Mullatha Common 11 Lichi Common 12 Butterfruit Common 13 Chathurapuli Common 14 Athi Common 15 Pineapple Common 16 Chamba Common 17 Passion fruit Common 18 Arondacheri Rare 19 Strawberry Rare 20 Mulberry Rare 21 Moosambi Rare 22 Pancharanelli Rare 23 Njaval Rare 24 Lololikka Rare

Table 47: Status of other fruits crops in Wayanad

118 Fruits Tr Chikoo Map Fruits Tr Fig Tree Dis Map

Fruits Tr Guava Map. Fruits Tr Jack Fruit Map

Fruits Tr Koronda Cherry Dis Map Fruits Tr Litchi Dis Map

Fruits Tr Mangostin Dis Map Fruits Tr Orange Dis Map

119 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Other fruits in Wayanad

Fruits Tr Pomegranete Dis Map Fruits Tr Rambutan Dis Map

Fruits Dis Map\Fruits Tr Soursop Dis Map Fruits Tr Star Fruit Dis Map 120 5.2.12 CITRUS VARIETIES

There are 11 varieties of citrus reported from Wayanad. Cheru Narakam was the highest reported citrus variety and Kallumbi was the least reported variety.

Sl. No Citrus Varieties Frequency 1 Cheru narakam/ Lemon Mostly Cultivated 2 Bamblimoose Very Common 3 Vadukapuli Very Common 4 Madhuranarakam Very Common 5 Ganapathy Narakam Very Common 6 Mosambi Common 7 Kaippanarakam Common 8 Odichu kuthy short Common 9 Odichu kuthy long Common 10 Chippili narakam Rare 11 Kallumbi Rare

Table 48: Status of citrus varieties

Fig 34: Status and Distribution Pattern of Citrus Varieties

121 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of Citrus in Wayanad

Citrus tr bamblimoos vty dis map Citrus tr cherunaarakam vty dis map

Citrus tr chipilinaanakam vty dis map Citrus tr ganapathi naarakam vty dis map

122 Citrus tr madhuranaranga vty dis map Citrus tr musambi vty dis map

Citrus tr odichukuthi cheruthu vty dis map Citrus tr odichukuthi neelamullathu vty dis map

Citrus tr vadukapuli vty dis map Citrus tr kaipu naarakam vty dis map

Citrus tr kallambi vty dis map Citrus other vty dis map

123 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.2.13 STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION TREES CULTIVATED ON FARM IN WAYANAD Wayanad the forested land is blessed with natural diversity of trees. The farm lands of Wayanad are also diverse with native tree species along with mangos and jack trees. The fragmentation of farmlands and mono cropping reduced the number and diversity of trees in farm lands. This survey documents more than 50 species of trees from the farm lands of Wayanad. Jack tree is the most cultivated tree followed by silver ock. Sl. No Trees Frequency 1 Jack fruit 1749 2 Silver rock 933 3 Sheema konna 877 4 Vendeku 537 5 Anjili 444 6 Edana 435 7 Nelli 358 8 Njaval 323 9 Kattadi 270 10 Ayini 153 11 Elanji 103 12 Athy 79 13 Payyani 73 14 Kadaplavu 62 15 Manimaruthu 57 16 Kanjiram 43 17 Poopathiri 29 18 Vattakumbil 30 19 Karimaram 25 20 Unnam 27 21 Ithy 35 22 Muriku 20 23 Ezhilampala 17 24 Kattunarakam 15 25 Eeti 15 26 Karimpana 13 27 Dhanthapala 13 28 Chamatha 14 29 Peral 14 30 Erubhakam 12 31 Arayal 11 32 Kudapana 11

124 33 Chandanam 7 34 Elipa 5 35 Pana 5 36 Koonampala 4 37 Attuvanchi 4 38 Koovalam 4 39 Thanni 4 40 Karimnochi 3 41 Analivegam 2 42 Unnivenga 2 43 Kanikonna 2 44 Shemamuriku 2 45 Athachaka 2 46 Mazhakolli 2 47 Chadachi 2 48 2 49 Pathymugham 2 50 Elavangam 1 51 Kumizhu 1 52 Kalarayal 1 53 Ungu 1 54 Karuvapatta 1 55 Sarvasughandhi 1

Table 49: Status of Trees

The figure below illustrates the status and distribution pattern of trees cultivated in Wayanad

Fig 35: Status and Distribution pattern of Trees

125 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Status and distribution of trees in Wayanad

Trees Tr. Atthi Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Ayanii Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Chamatha Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Chandahanam Vty Dis Map

126 Trees Tr. Danthappala Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Ezhilampala Vty DiS Map

Trees Tr. Ilavangam Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Ilinji Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Ilippa Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Irumbakam Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Ithi Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Kaattunarakam Vty Dis Map 127 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Trees Tr. Kadaplavu Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Karimaram Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Karimpana Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Kattadi Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Koonambala Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Kudakapala Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Kudappana Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Manimaruthu Vty Dis Map

128 Trees Tr. Nelli Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Njaaral Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Njaaval Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Other Dis Map

Trees Tr. Payyani Other Dis Map Trees Tr. Peral Dis Map

Trees Tr. Plaavu Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Poopathiry Vty Dis Map 129 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Trees Tr. Silver oak Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Sheemakonna Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. Unnam Dis Map Trees Tr. Vattakumbil Dis Map

Trees Tr. Vattakumbil Dis Map Trees Tr. edana Vty Dis Map

Trees Tr. kadambu Vty Dis Map Trees Tr. Arayaal Vty Dis Map

130 Trees Tr. Aanjili Vty DiS Map Trees Tr. Aattuvanchi Vty DiS Map

Trees Tr. Analivegam Vty Dis Map

131 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties 5.3. AGRO BIODIVERSITY LOSS DUE TO HEAVY RAIN INCIDENTS IN 2018

This secition of the report deals with the compared to Last year (YCL), Pest attack (P), loss of agrobiodiversity in the district due to Diseases (D), Occurrence of weeds (w) and heavy rain and flood in the year 2018. Each Number of plants survived in a unit area (SR). varietie and crop groups has been assed 5.3.1Rice with the percentage of loss happened through onfarm assessment with farmer There are prominent 58 varieties of rice participation. The resilience and vulnerability under cultivation currently. They are of different varieties in each crop is identified considered for the analysis; other less through onfarm survey. The survival rate of reported varieties were categorized to each crop variety in each of the farm land ‘others’. It was identified that 24 rice varieties is recorded and analyzed. We record over were not listed in completely lost category eight thousand farms from all Panacahayth and they were, Chembathy, Chembavu, of the district. The varieties which reported Chomala Chuvannamodan, Kakkathondi, in less than five farm lands were removed Karumkaima, Kochootty, Kodiyan, Kudaku from the analysis.The data collected from Veliyan, Kuttadan, Manjuvari, Mannu all parts of the district are considered for the Veliyan, Marathondi, Mullan Kaima, Mullan initial analysis as almost all rainfall regions Chenna, Mullanpunja, Njavara, Palaathira, experienced heavy rainfall comparing to Palthondi, palveliyan, Padukuliyan, usual trend. But the pattern of distribution of Poothala, Thavalakkannan, Thonnooram rain was different in each rainfall zone that too Thondi, and Valia Kaima. They were either was in correlation with the historical patterns. survived or partially survived. Onavattan was The survival rate of varieties have analyzed the only variety which was lost completely. considering the entire district as single unit. Navara,Thaichungan,Thavalakkannan and Separate analysis has done for all important Thonnooram Thondi are shown more than 50 crop groups in three rainfall zones. In order percentage of survival rate. Thonnnooram to understand the resilience and vulnerability Thondi is the variety which is survived the of major crops, a detailed analysis has done most. Thus rice as acrop had shown high using five specific parameters such as; Yield degree of survival.

132 Fig. No.5.31: Survival Rate of Rice Varieties

The charts given bellow shows the occurrence of pest, disease, weeds, yield and survival rate of plants in three different rainfall zones.

Fig. No. 5.32:Loss Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 1& 2

133 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Fig. No.5.33:Loss Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 3&4

Fig. No.5.34: Status of Rice at Rainfall Zone 5&6

The yield of rice was varied at the three rainfall zones. Zones 1 and 2 where heavy rain was reported, majority of the farmers had a less yield in rice compared to previous years. Pest attack was severe at this region. Leaf roller and rice bug where themajor pests reported from this region. Leaf rot and root rot, blast were the diseases reported for rice from this region. For few farmers the weeds were high.

At zone 3 & 4, the medium rainfall region, was almost flooded as these low lying areas are the flood plains of all major rivers and streams. Majority of the farmers from this regionhad a normal or high yield in rice than previous years. Pest, weeds and diseases were also normal

134 like previous years and with proper remedies they could overcome it. Zone 5 and 6, com- paratively the dry region of Wayanad, experienced heavy rain compared to last years but there was less water logging and flood incidents. Majority of the farmers from this region had normal or high yield in rice compared to previous years. From this region presence of army worm, leaf roller and rice bug was reported but it was not high or low compared to last years. Diseases and weeds were also reported to be normal as previous years in this region. Survival rate of rice plants in unit land area is high, that is more than 80 per cent in all the rain- fall zones. The rate of survival has shown as increasing from high rainfall zone to low rainfall zone. More than 70 percent of farm lands in zone three are shown a high survival rate in rice.

5.3.2BANANA

There are 17 prominent varieties of banana are under cultivation now. They were considered for the analysis and the single listed varieties were categorized as ‘other’. Charakadaliand Vettan are the banana varieties shown complete survival. Pachakadaliis shown as 50 per- cent survived,50 percent partially survived and not as lost completely. The varieties such as Mezhukuthiri and Morisare shown more survival capacity than others.Nendran is the most commercially cultivated variety shown as vulnerable as 90 percent of the records shown it as completely lost or partially survived. The commercially cultivated Nedran are mainly cultivat- ing in wetlands of Wayanad. Almost all wetlands are flooded as there was excess rain in all the rainfall zones so the zonewise analysis does not done for banana.

Fig. No. 5.35. Survival Rate of Banana Varities

135 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.3.3 PEPPER

18 varieties of pepper were selected for analysis and the single entries were counted in ‘oth- ers. In the case of pepper complete plant and crop survival was not shown by any variety. The varieties of Ayimberiyan, kalluvalli, karimkotta, Karimunda, Thirumuriyan, Thulamundi, va- lankotta Wayanadan bolt and Vellanambanhas shown more than 60 percent plant survival and 20 to 40 percent crop loss. The varieties Cheriyakaniyakkadan,Thandiyodanand Jeer- akamundiwere shown as most vulnerable to heavy rains.

Fig No.5.36: Survival Rate of Pepper Varieties

Pepper is one of the principal crops of Wayanad. Majority of the farmers are cultivating Pan- niyoor as the prime variety as it is high yielding. All nurseries and government agencies are supplying Panniyoor as the planting material. The resilience of pepper as a crop may reflect the recilience ofPanniyoor as it is the dominant variety. The detailed analysis of pepper in different rainfall zones are given below.

Fig No.37: Loss Status of Pepper at Rainfall None 1 &2 136 Fig. No.38: Status of pepper at rainfall zone 3&4

Fig. No.39: Loss Status of Pepper at Rainfall Zone 5&6

137 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

Pepper was commonly affected badly in all the three zonal categories. Average produc- tion was decreased morthan 50 percent and majority of the pepper plants were lost due to diseases such as root rot and yellowing. Attack of Mealy bug was reported largely in rainfall zone 4. Pepper wines in higher altitudes shown more survival rate while pepper wines in the low land shown complete lost. The traditional varieties lost crop but the plants survived. While improved varieties such as Panniyur, loss of the full plant were high.

5.3.4 COFFEE

There are only two varities of coffee in active farming. Coffee is shown high degree of survival among other crops in Wayanad. As Robusta is the principal variety there is no possibility of comparing varietal resilience. The crop was widely recorded but coffee plants survived the floods

Fig. 5.40: Survival rate of coffee

As coffee plants are not much affected by heavy rains the survival rate is considered the crop survival rate. The results from different rainfall zones are given below.

138 Fig No.41: Status of coffee at rainfall zone 1&2 Fig No.42: Status of coffee at rainfall zone 3&4

Fig. No. 43: Status of Coffee at Rainfall zone 5&6

Production of coffee was affected by the heavy rain and flood in all the three zones.In zone three attack of pseudo stemweevil (Thandu Thurappan) is reported. In all the zones yield was very less, There was negligible pest attacks reported but disease such as berry fall caused reduction in yield. In zone three more than 40 percent of crops have survived and matured to the stage of harvest.

139 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.3.5. ARECANUT

Arecanut is a crop, which has three major varities under cultivation. There is no Wayanadan native variety for arecanut. All three varities have shown low survival rate. So the research identifies arecanut as a most vulnerable crop along with Banana in this landscape.

Fig: Status of areca nut at rainfall zone 1&2

Fig: Status of areca nut at rainfall zone 5&6

Fig: Status of areca nut at rainfall zone 3&4

140 Areca nut was the crop which completely affected by flood. 82 % of the farmers under this survey reported compleat loss of crop and plant of arecanut. Mahaali in areca nut was wude spread after the flood and it caoused complete loss of plants. In the entire zonal categories yield was very less compared to last year. There was no notisable pest attack in Arecanut. The performance of areacanut as acrop in all rainfall zones was poor.

5.3.6. DIOSCORIA

Among the 19 prominent dioscoria varieties Vella Kaachil and Kayyalapoliyan were the vari- eties which completely survived the flood. 5 varieties were survived partially and completely and they were Cherukizhangu, Kollikachil, Kuppunthi Kizhangu, Kuzhikkavithu and Paricha- kodan.

Fig. No.5.44: Survival Rate of Dioscoria

141 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.3.7 COLOCASIA

Among the 4 majorcolocasia varieties under cultivation three of them are

Fig. No. 5.45: Survival Rate of Colocasia

5.3.8 YAM

3 varieties of yam were considered for the analysis and less frequently reported varieties were listed in ‘other’. Even though, all the yam varieties were listed in three categories, Gajendra variety of yam has shown less lose rate.

Fig No. 5.46: Survival rate of yam varieties

142 5.3.9. GINGER 11 varieties of ginger were recorded as in active cultivation. All the ginger varieties are shown high rate of plant loss. The varieties such as Mahima, Chukkumaram and Nadan are shown 50 percent survival. Assam variety was the only one variety which was completely lost all over Wayanad.As a crop ginger is a vulnerable crop which cannot survive the climate fluctua- tions such as heavy rain, flood and water logging.

Fig5.47: Survival rate of ginger varieties 5.3.10. TAPIOCA 5 varieties of tapioca were considered for the analysis. No survived varieties were identified in tapioca. Tapioca is also seen as a vulnerable crop in the situation of heavy rain and flood.

Fig No.5.48: Survival rate of Tapioca Varieties

143 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

5.3.11. ARROW ROOT

Arrow root as a crop as has shown high degree of survival, even though it is not cultivated commercially.

Fig No.5.49: Survival rate of arrow root

5.3.12. TURMERIC

12 varieties of turmeric were selected for analysis and the less frequently reported varieties were listed in ‘other’. The most common variety Wayandan had mostly survived the flood and heavy rain.The varieties, Kanthi, Prathiba and Sugandham were survived completely. Another variety, Suguna also survived the flood partially. Turmeric is a high priced spice but a minor crop in Wayanad has all the potential to promote as a major crop in future.

Fig. No. 5.50: Survival rate of turmeric

144 5.3.13. CITRUS 11 varieties of citrus were selected for analysis and the less frequent varieties were listed in ‘other’. The lose rate of citrus varieties were comparatively less. The varieties Chipli Narakam and Kallumbi were totally survived. Kaippa Narakam and Odichu Kuthi Neelamullathu were also not listed in lost category. Citrus is a potential food basket item that can survive climate fluctuations.

Fig No. 5.51: Survival Rate of Citrus varieties 5.3.14. SPICES The most affected spice is cardamom but in general spice crops shown a high degree of survival than other crops.

Clove Nutmeg Allspice Cardamom Cinnamon

Fig. No.5.52: Survival Rate of Spices

The above data shows that the flood situation created great depression in the agricultural economy of the district as crop loss, variations in soil fertility and dease and pest incidents in majour crops. In totall of all crops, we could see 60 percent of the crops of the year have recorded as lost. The 43 percent of the total crop plants recorded as lost during the flood. Among the survived plants, 52 percent of the crops are yield less than lasy year due to vari- ous resons stated above. Therefore, this research brings the need of serious attention to the sector of agriculture in the context of climate change. Wayanad being an agrarian econo- my with more than 80 percent of the population is directly depending on agriculture the crisis is huge in its magnitude. The research also gives opportunities in the form of data showing crops and varities that are survived the adverse climatic situations. 145 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties 5.4. Resilient CROPS AND VARITIES

The analysis of the data yielded from this of land support survival of pepper. With research shows some ideas about the crops the present farming practices and mono that can be survive in the adverse climatic variety cultivation pepper seems to be a conditions such as heavy rain and flood. most vulnerable crops to both heavy rain According to this study, rice in the wet land and drought. More scientific studies are and coffee in the dry land are recorded as needed in the case of pepper in the area of crops with high degree of resiliences. The rice management and varietal development to variety of valichoory is increasing acseptence continue its production from this landscape. among farmers. Many traditional varieties such as Kunjithondi and Kalladiyaryan are Many minor crops such as spices, turmeric, gaining demand among farmers. The short dioscorea varieties and aroow root are tern varieties which can be sowed after the seen as highly resilient to flood and heavy flood are adopting by farmers. At the same rains. The farming priority of farmers and time more than 50 varieties are at a stage the departmental support to crop groups of extingtion. The speciality varieties such has to be revisited in the context of climate as Kaima and Jeerakasala need special change. Region specific crop priorities conservation programmes. In coffee heavy support and crop promotion strategies have rain leads to yield loss but coffee plants can to be devised to rewamp the agricultural survive the heavy rain and flood. sector of the district. The Institutions such as Regional Agricultural Research stations need Banana in the wetland and areca nut and to involve in more systematic monitoring in ginger in all the regions are seen as most crop and variety responses to the changing vulnerable crops. The traditional varieties climatic situations. Those minor crops which of pepper has shown resilient in drylands have shown resilience can be improved while all varieties of pepper are highly and popularizes as majour crops in future. vulnerable to heavy rain and water logging More research can be done on the varieties in the low elevations. The case studies say that shown resistance to improve their that the farming practices with low tillering productivity.

No. Crop The Most Climate Resilient Varieties 1 Rice Thonnooram Thondi, Mannu Veliyan, Mullan Kaima, Chenbavu, Thavalakkannan, Njavara, Palthondi, Chennel Thondi, Gandhakasala, Malli Kuruva, Ramli and Kakisali. 2 Pepper Ayimberiyan, Kalluvalli, Karimkotta, Karimunda, Thirumuriyan, Thulamundi, Valankotta, Wayanadan Bolt and Vellanamban 3 Banana Charakadali 4 Dioscoria Vella kachil, Neela kkachil, Kayyalapoliyan 5 Turmeric Wayanadan, Kanthi 146 5.5. Resilient Practices

Resilient practices are identified through farmer case studies across the district. It was evident from the experience of farmers that the farming practices including soil water management and crop and variety selection are vital in survival of crops in the time of climate change. The farmers who did less tillage in the land experienced less loss of soil nutrient and disease attack. Especially in the case of crops such as pepper, soil management is very critical. The farmers such as Krishnan from Thrikkaipetta, Shelly from Thodernadu and Augustine from are saying that their crops could survive as they maintain good green cover in their farm land. Devala and Krishnan says they could withstand the effects of flood as they keep diverse crops and varieties in the farmland and keep streams as natural with coverage of screw pines around. The details of the cases studies are attached to the report as annexure. Farmers who adopted zero budget and natural farming practices are experience less loss than the general category. In Panchayath the most flood affected region of Wayanad the general farmers lost 46 percent of yield in the farm lands while zero budget farmers in the same locality says they had a loss of 12 percent from last year.

147 Assessment of Agrobiodiversity Loss Due to Flood in Wayanad Conservation Strategies for Resilient Varieties

6. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

As the situation of climate change predicts potential crop for Wayanad provided irriga- heavy rain draught and extreme cold in tion facilities are arranged. coming years, the food production in the tropics is facing challenges. India as one of The varietal survival rates are critical infor- the most populous nations in the world has to mation for planning agriculture in future. This be well prepared to face the challenge of research has documented the flood resisting food production. Wayanad is one of the few varieties. The draught resistance capacity districts in Kerala, which produce food and of crop varieties in the region has to be sys- other cash crops still. As a climate, risk region tematically documented further. The farmer farming in Wayanad becomes extremely knowledge is very vital in this regard. Farmers tough. The experience of last two years of with the continuous observation in the field heavy rain and flood has shown evidences have better knowledge on the performance that agriculture is no more an easy task to of crops and varieties in adverse conditions. be managed only by the farmers. The con- It is evident from this research that farmers ventional agricultural development activi- adapted to vatieties such as valochoori and ties have to change based on the scientific adukkan in last few years. These kinds of ad- evidences collected from the ground. From aptations are evident in short duration crops the data yielded from this research, we can than perinial crops as there is opportunity for say rice, coffee and spices are the potential experimentation. The performances of crops crops for Wayanad in future. As vegetables and varieties are varied across the district ac- are not cultivated in the rainy season, we cording to the agro ecosystems and eleva- could not asses the survival capacity of veg- tion. Pepper is a crop which is more sensitive etable varieties. Even though as their season to elevation soil and land management. is in summer we can suggest vegetable as a

148 1. The mobile application developed fpr this study can use as a platform for monitoring agrobiodiversity across the state. The data can collected in each season and that can use for further planning of agriculture. 2. People’s biodiversity Registers should update with these data. 3 The action points can be of three fold one conservation action of vulnerable and resilient varieties, two, adapting the resilient varieties and crops to the active farming through projects and programmes and three, continuous research and generation of information regarding climate adaptation of crop plants. The conservation and agricultural development programmes have to be revised as part of this cycle of information generation, use and planning. 4. BMCs should device projects for conserving threatened varieties as farmers cannot conserve all the varieties. 5. Minimal number of farmers cultivates many varieties so custodian farmer directory has to prepare by each BMC. 6. Custodian farmers should be recognized and rewarded at local and state level. They should be a custodian farmer networks to facilitate coordinate their activities. 7. Panchayath BMC should come up with community sandbanks as live repository of all agricultural genetic resourses present in their jurisdiction. As seed can only conserved through active farming it need recurring financial allocation and management. It can be managed either by the BMC directly or through custodian farmers. 8. The transfer of the knowledge generated to agricultural department and creation of a platform for active dialogue between the farmers agricultural officers planners and research institutions are vital in planning for future. 9. Agricultural officers should actively involved in the conservation activities of BMCs at each Panchayath 10 There should me mechanism to produce seeds and planting materials of crop varieties that are cultivated large scale at local level. 11 Systematic monitoring of climate responses by each crop and variety should be part of agricultural development programmes.

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