Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the oldest and most important crops globally and a key agricultural product in India. The country is the world’s second-largest rice producer, after China, with a production of 1,357.55 lakh metric tons (LMT) in 2022-23. Rice is the most important cereal globally, providing essential vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and dietary fiber. It accounts for 21% of global per capita energy and 15% of protein. Often referred to as a lifesaving Aushadh or medicine, rice is cultivated in diverse regions across India.
Rice cultivation is tied to the monsoon cycle: sowing begins in June with the southwest monsoon, followed by planting during July to August, and harvesting typically occurs between October and November. Production increased significantly from 53.6 million tons in the financial year 1980 to 120 million tons in 2020-21. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Third Advance Estimates for the 2023-24 crop year indicate that Telangana produces 166.31 LMT, while Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, and Odisha contribute 157.22, 151.18, 143.90, and 101.30 LMT, respectively. Together, these states account for approximately 72% of India’s total rice production.
Xit-kodi or rice-fish curry is the staple food crop of Goa. Rice is the main ingredient used in preparation of shirvoyo/shevyo, koiloyo, mandos, sanna (idli), patolleo, fov, modak, etc. Rice is grown during both the kharif (Sod) and rabi (Vaigon) seasons, with 16% grown in morod (uplands), 32% in kher lands (sandy-loam midlands), and 32% in khazan lands (saline lands). At the time of Goa’s Liberation, approximately 70% of the population was engaged in agriculture full-time, with paddy being the primary crop, followed by cashew and coconut. Currently, rice is cultivated across 42,973 hectares, producing 155,818 metric tons annually, with an average yield of about 3,399 kg per hectare.
Major rice-producing talukas include Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim, Tiswadi, Salcete, Mormugoa, Sanguem, and Quepem, while Dharbandora, Sattari, Canacona, and Ponda contribute less. Traditional rice varieties known for their medicinal properties include Damgo, Babri, Dodig, Khochri, Patni/Dhavi Patni, Korgut, Asgo, Kendal, Xitto, Nermar, Mudgo, Sotti, Shirdi, Belo, Munno, Tamdi, Olsugo, Annapurna, Didaki, Adichaki, IR68, IR8, and Triguna. Over the past 30 to 40 years, many farmers have transitioned to high-yielding seed varieties such as Jyoti, Jaya, and Karjat. Jaya varieties require 130 to 135 days to mature, while Jyoti takes 105 to 110 days. In cases of delayed rains, short-duration seeds are often used for paddy cultivation.
Local varieties like Damgo have significant advantages; for instance, Damgo can withstand submersion during heavy rains without spoiling, while Jyoti seeds are more vulnerable to such conditions. The preservation of these traditional varieties is essential not only for their resilience but also for maintaining the cultural heritage and agricultural biodiversity of Goa.
The 2024 monsoon season in India has proven to be unpredictable, marked by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. The erratic rainfall patterns have severely damaged crops, leaving farmers grappling with the consequences while policymakers striving to compensate them.
Goa typically receives 90% of its annual rainfall between June and September, but in 2024, 94% of the total rainfall occurred in June and July alone. In June, rainfall reached 967.2 mm, exceeding the long-term average of 900.4 mm by 7%. Heavy rains submerged and severely damaged newly planted paddy seedlings, jeopardizing the crop’s growth. July rainfall broke a 124-year record with 1986.5 mm, including extreme daily rainfall of 235mm on July 8 and 153.3mm on July 15. This downpour, occurred during the critical transplanting phase, flooded fields and resulted in prolonged waterlogging, leading to rotting of the crop. Inadequate drainage and its poor maintenance in places like Taleigão, Guirim, Seraulim, Mungul, Nuvem, and low-lying areas in Sanquelim, Bicholim and other places, exacerbated the issue.
August recorded 976.4 mm of rainfall, marking one of the highest in decades for Goa. The state experienced a prolonged dry spell from August 11 to 18, followed by a period of intense rain from August 23 to 25, with the heaviest precipitation occurring on August 25 at 122 mm. This scenario posed significant threats to crops, especially during the flowering and grain formation stages, as excessive moisture disrupted pollination. Furthermore, heavy rains in September, when the paddy is maturing, caused plants to recline, resulting in grain decay and germination due to prolonged contact with the ground.
In 2024, Goa experienced rainfall levels that were 47% above average, leading to the destruction of 80% of the paddy crop and a financial loss of approximately Rs 3.7 crores. Farmers who faced significant setbacks during the planting season are now increasingly concerned that unseasonal rains in post-monsoon months could further damage the remnants of their crops. The climate change not only threatens their immediate livelihoods but also raises alarm about the long-term sustainability of rice production in Goa.
The writer is a Scientist and a freelancer
