Njavara, a medicinal rice : an exploration of the changing production and consumption system
Master thesis
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Date
2012-11-09Metadata
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- Master's theses (IPM) [204]
Abstract
Njavara is an ancient rice variety that has been cultivated in Kerala for its
medicinal properties for over 2500 years. Over the last few decades, the Njavara
rice chain has changed as new actors have entered the system, and there has
been a change in consumption patterns. An understanding of these changes is
essential in order to properly assess the value of this rice in economic, cultural,
and biological terms. The various actors in the Njavara chain were interviewed
and asked about the current system, how it has changed, and why it has
changed from the traditional Njavara system. Rich picturing and analysis of the
interviews using coding was used to answer the questions related to the
changing Njavara chain. The results of this work show that Njavara production
and consumption has changed in order to adapt to changing socio-political
conditions. Njavara is now more easily available and widely used, though there
are concerns regarding the authenticity of the rice on the market. But there is a
declining trend of Njavara cultivation, which entails the loss of biological and
cultural diversity associated with this unique rice. Preserving Njavara is valuable
for the medicinal, economic, and economic value it provides for the people
associated with this rice. An understanding of how this rice system has changed
provides valuable lessons on for conservation that can also be applied to other
crops elsewhere.