On an acre of plot at Siddanahundi in T. Narsipur taluk of Mysuru district, Srinivasmurthy S.R. is busy preparing the land and nursery for paddy seed production. The demand for Jeerige Sanna variety and a few other desi, or indigenous varieties, has soared. Srinivasmurthy has to boost production to meet the growing demand for paddy seeds.
In the neighbouring district of Mandya, Syed Ghani Khan has cultivated 1,350 varieties of paddy on his plot in Kirugavalu in Malavalli taluk to cater to demand from local farmers for indigenous paddy varieties. Apart from meeting the requirements of farmers, Ghani Khan also has to ensure supplies to a seed producing company. He has reserved five acres exclusively for paddy seed cultivation.
