Traditional Rice
The rice cultivation has a long and parallel relationship with the country’s history and culture and Sri Lankan has practised an agriculture-based lifestyle for the past 3 millennia. According to the evidence collected through written history and archaeology, rice cultivation of the island goes back to the period of 900-600 BC.
Pokkali (පොක්කාලි)
Pokkali ist eine beliebte rote Reissorte, die traditionell in Sri Lanka angebaut wird. Der Halm der Pflanze ist etwa 130 cm hoch und trägt ungefähr 10 Halme pro Pflanze. Diese Pflanze kann innerhalb von 3,5 Monaten nach der Aussaat geerntet werden. Sie ist tolerant gegenüber salzhaltigem Boden. Pokkali wird als Ausgangspflanze zur Verbesserung von Reissorten verwendet. Der potenzielle Ertrag liegt bei 60 bis 80 Scheffel pro Acre. Derzeit wird er entlang des südwestlichen Küstengürtels angebaut und ist ein Grundnahrungsmittel in den Distrikten Hambantota und Puttalam , wo der Salzgehalt des Bodens hoch ist. Wissenschaftliche Studien haben Hinweise auf medizinische Eigenschaften ergeben, die bei der Behandlung von oxidativem Stress nützlich sind. Die Ergebnisse deuten auch auf eine Fähigkeit hin, bestimmte schädliche Bakterien zu hemmen. Pokkali ist außerdem reich an Proteinen. Um diese wertvollen Nährwerte und medizinischen Eigenschaften zu erhalten, ist der Verzehr mit der Kleie wichtig.
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Sudu HeenetiA small white heirloom rice variety, Sudu Heeneti is highly nutritious, rich in antioxidants, and ideal for traditional Sri Lankan medicinal diets. It has a soft texture and mild, earthy flavor.
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DahanalaDahanala is a rare, nutrient-dense traditional rice with a reddish hue. It is favored for its high fiber content and mild, sweet taste, making it perfect for porridge and healthy meals.
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Dik WeeDik Wee is a medium-grain red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The plant develops to a maximum height of 150 cm. This crop can be harvested within 4 to 4½ months from seeding.
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Kalu HeenetiThis variety of rice is named Kalu Heeneti because of the color of its lemma and palea which turn blackish at maturity. It is traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka and produces a red medium sized grain. The plant develops to a maximum height of 120 cm.
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Ma WeeMa Wee is a red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The grain varies in size and shape from short and round varieties to long medium sized varieties. It is one of the tallest rice plants cultivated and develops to a maximum height of 350 cm.
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PokkaliPokkali is a popular red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The culm of plant is about 130 cm in height and bears about 10 tillers per plant. This crop can be harvested within 3½ months from seeding.
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PachchaperumalPachchaperumal is a very popular medium-grain red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The plant develops to a maximum height of 120 cm. This crop can be harvested within 3½ months from seeding. At the stage of ripening the plant stem becomes light bluish in color.
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MadathawaluMadathawalu is a very popular short-grain red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The plant develops to a maximum height of 130 cm. This crop can be harvested within 4 months from seeding.
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GonabaruGonabaru is a popular medium-grain rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The plant develops to a maximum height of 140 cm. This crop can be harvested within 5 months from seeding.
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Goda HeenetiGodaheeneti is a popular medium-grain red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka, which belongs to the heeneti type. The plant develops to a maximum height of 160 cm. This crop can be harvested within 3½ months from seeding.
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Rath SuwandalRathsuwandal is a popular medium-grain red rice variety traditionally cultivated in Sri Lanka. The plant develops to a maximum height of 120 cm. This crop can be harvested within 3½ months from seeding.