The Varada river belt is endowed with agro climatic conditions suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of rice varieties. The villages of Sagara and Sirsi taluk depend on this River. This belt is under havoc due to continuous rain that crosses months and floods the farmers' fields. This doesnot mean that the farmer cannot grow anything. The unique feature of this place is it has varieties of rice that can withstand continuous rain and have the capacity to stand deep in water for a long period. Farmers over centuries have developed and preserved such varieties with care that can survive when their lifeline, River Varada flows vigorously over their fields. These flood resistant varieties have a significant place in the biodiversity of the area. The Varada basin is a host for deepwater rice varieties like neremuluga, nereguli, karibhatta, sannavaalya, karekal dadiga. Most of the germplasm that existed in this area has been lost. The most popular among these varieties is Neregulibatha, which has proved to be the best deepwater variety for years. This variety can resist flooded condition for 25 days. Few other rare varieties that are conserved by farmers are budda bhatta, dikuni, jenugoodu, nettibhatta, kariesadi and mullari. All these varieties are still being grown in this area, as high yielding varieties don't survive the climatic conditions relevant to the area.

Yet the Government and Agriculture Departments have failed to design programmes to support rice growing belt. Government agencies continue to promote high yielding varieties with financial subsidies that are unsuitable to the region and causes destruction of biodiversity. They cannot even boost of possessing even one deepwater rice variety that is suitable to the region. Not much research and development has been done in the field of deepwater varieties. The varieties that were nurtured over generations in flooded conditions and that were available to the farmers from nature.

Due to the concern for conservation of these extinct varieties 'SahajaSamrudha has developed farmer-breeding practices for purification and multiplication of the varieties. The programme has been designed in participation of the local farmers. Documenting the existing practices and culture associated with it has also been undertaken. This approach of working hand-in-hand with farmers has enhanced the development of varieties suitable for stagnant water conditions. On-farm participatory trials of characterization and evaluation have been carried out in Yelkundli, Sagara taluk and Mogalli, Sirsi taluk.