Shreya Debnath

LA4021

In response to the adverse effects arising from the Warli community’s shift from traditional rice to hybrid species, we outline a three-phase soil regeneration project which seeks to address the decreasing yield of the cash crop. The practice has its roots within the culture and practices of the people where the Kansari Mata is worshiped, and as a result, the people are encouraged to grow crops along with the traditional one that have a better yield and take less water, hence use of hybrids. Such shift have been known to highly cause soil erosion, reduce the water levels suitable for farming activities and disrupt the normal flow of water systems. The project will employ cover cropping, use of indigenous crops, and planting deep rooted species, sedimentary mulching and forestation. These measures will restore soil health, increase yields of Masoori rice varieties, and uphold the traditions of the people.