M Baskar (43), an organic farmer from Melakasakudi in Karaikal district, is cultivating 111 varieties of traditional paddy on 15 acres.
Baskar said, “I have travelled to places like Thanjavur, Vriddachalam Puducherry, Cuddalore and Thiruthuraippondi and bought traditional paddy seeds from farmers. I have nursed 113 of them and am now going to transplant 111 of them on my 15 acres. My objective is to increase the popularity of organically cultivated traditional paddy varieties among Karaikal farmers.”