Criteria for prioritizing conservation of Paddy landraces in Odisha, India: A participatory approach

The research focused on the prioritization and conservation of traditional rice landraces in two distinct regions of Odisha, India, namely the Eastern and Western regions. A total of 150 custodian farmers, actively involved in conserving landraces, were engaged in a participatory analysis of the most preferred criteria for conserving and cultivating landraces. The study revealed that the most preferred criterion for prioritizing landraces in Western Odisha is their adaptive capacity, as farmers prioritize varieties that thrive in local conditions and resist pests like the Brown Plant Hopper. Additionally, landraces with culinary significance, such as Bahal and Bajna, are actively conserved due to their role in traditional dishes like “Pakkhal-bhat.” In Eastern Odisha, indigenous paddy landraces in this region, such as Kalajeera and Umuriachundi, are cultivated by many households on a large scale due to their culinary appeal and commercial demand. Red rice variety Para dhan was valued for its agronomic benefits, including weed suppression and disease resistance, as well as its use in making rice flakes. Meanwhile, Sapuri, another landrace, holds a special socio-cultural status and is favoured for its role in weddings and festivals. Overall, the research highlights the preferences and criteria of farmers for conserving landraces were adaptive capacity, culinary significance, and commercial demand.