Guwahati: Farmers in Assam are ditching heirloom crops for hybrid rice. They want bigger harvests. The shift threatens local rice varieties like Ahu, Sali, Lahi, Bao, Komal, and Joha. These grains have fed families for generations.
Hybrid seeds force farmers to buy new stock every season. This breaks the cycle of saving seeds from the previous harvest. Experts worry this change ruins the old ways of farming. It pushes growers into a cycle of relying on private seed companies. One report noted: "The increasing use of hybrid seeds amid the modernisation of agriculture has raised concerns over the gradual decline of indigenous rice varieties."
Communities used to keep their own seeds. They passed down vital knowledge through these practices. Now, that independence is fading. Modernization boosts production, but it costs farmers their autonomy. Maintaining seed diversity remains a top priority to keep local agriculture alive. Protecting traditional rice ensures the region does not lose its heritage to private market forces.
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