The Basmati and Kariyakamat, the aromatic varieties of rice grown especially in the Tarai region, have reached the verge of extinction in Sarlahi, a district in Madhesh Province.

The farmers there have shifted to growing hybrid varieties because of their high productivity in recent years.

Despite having a better taste than the hybrid varieties, various diseases and climatic conditions have caused a reduction in the production of the Basmati and Kariyakamat, say farmers.

“We have stopped growing it as the hybrid varieties are less affected by diseases and yield five times more,” said Ram Babu Ray, a farmer from Kabilasi Municipality Ward 1.

Puran Mahato, a farmer from Farhadawa in Haripur Municipality Ward 3, seconded Ray. Mahato left growing Kariyakamat five years ago.

“I have been growing Sona Mansuli and Makwanpure these days,” said Mahato. “While I used to harvest 40 to 50 kg of Kariyakamat paddy per katha, the hybrid varieties yield 200 to 280 kg in the same area.”

While Sona Mansuli rice does not taste as good as the indigenous varieties, the Makwanpur paddy is mostly used for producing beaten rice.

“We sell Makwanpure paddy to the beaten rice mills and buy the fine rice from Indian markets at a cheaper rate,” he said. “It has helped us make some savings.”

According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Malangwa, the cultivation of indigenous varieties such as Basmati and Kariyakamt has been rare after the introduction of advanced varieties of seeds.

Of the 46,000 hectares of land where paddy is cultivated in the district, only 23,000 hectares have access to the irrigation facilities.