KAIPAD - Unique Rice Tract of Kerala, India

Abstract

The Kaipad saline tract of India is distributed over the sea coast of Kasaragod, Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala, fringed by mangroves. The Kaipad region is an estuarine ecosystem where the land is influenced by tidal action, resulting in brackish water conditions that support specific flora and fauna. This region supports a variety of biodiversity, including mangrove species, salt-tolerant grasses, rice and aquatic fauna adapted to brackish water habitats. It plays a significant role in the coastal ecology of Kerala. Mangroves are particularly important in this region as it maintains biodiversity and ecological balance. The Kaipad tract is known for its naturally organic production systems, with rice-fish farming being the predominant agricultural practice. However, the primary agricultural challenge in the Kaipad tract is saline and flood soil, which necessitates specialized rice cultivation practices. Traditionally, low yielding and lodging type saline-tolerant indigenous rice varieties having good cooking qualities were cultivated by the farmers. Recently, Kerala Agricultural University has developed five saline-tolerant, high yielding and lodging tolerant rice varieties by adopting the combined strategy of conventional breeding linked with novel strategies of organic plant breeding and farmer participatory plant breeding. ‘KAIPAD RICE’ has secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, and a stakeholders’ society and farmer-producer organization have been established to support the conservation and development of this tract, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing local livelihoods. Products from the tract are available in domestic and export markets. In 2019, the Kerala Government formed an agency named KADS for the conservation and development of this precious ecosystem. This review aimed to discuss the special biodiversity and specific agricultural practices of this area.