The National Paddy Festival (Nel Thiruvizha) for 2021 was held at Tiruvarur recently. Appreciating the ongoing research on nutritional and medicinal values and climate and disease-resistant capabilities of indigenous paddy varieties, he called upon educational institutions to take up such research on a regular basis. Mr. Duraisingam also appealed to Krishi Vigyan Kendras to allot a portion of agriculture fields on their premises for traditional paddy varieties that could serve as a knowledge hub on traditional paddy varieties. A resolution urging the State government to provide meals made with unpolished traditional rice varieties through ICDS programme and distribute them through the PDS was also passed at the Seed Festival held as part of the National Paddy Festival. Tiruvarur Rotary Club president Thiyagapaari inaugurated a food festival of recipes made using traditional paddy varieties to create awareness among consumers.

Source: The Hindu August 17, 2021 11:37 UTC