Paddy cultivation in Wayanad: History, present and environmental issues

Abstract

There are divergent openions among the  scholars regarding the evolution of the  name Wayanad.Some of the scholars  opined that the name Wayanad has its origine from bayalunadu or land of paddies. However it is reasonable to think  th at the name Wayanad is  derived from  bayalunadu as many of   her place names carry the names of paddy fields. Paddy cultivation was  lively for long time in Wayanad. Cultivators of paddy had shown unique features in the   cultivation ,conservation and preservation while comparing to other areas in Kerala.Wayanad possessed unique  paddy which have high quality of resistance capacity. Wayanad decided it,s  land relations,trade and commerce,and social set up based on paddy cultivation.Special customs  and rituals were also had been here    in relation to paddy cultivation.In this feudalistic economy   instances of exploitation were also common. Expanded paddy fields   in Wayanad also played a significant role in  ecological  aspect too. After the spread of cash crop cultivation  paddy fields dwindled considerably in Wayanad. This article enquire the socio economic and environmental  aspect of paddy cultivation in Wayanad.