In the rain fed paddy fields of the Western Ghats in the areas of Karnataka people grow about 16 local varieties of rice along with popular varieties of other plants. Compost made from foliage and leaf litter collected from foliage hillocks (Soppina Bettas) has been the major fertilizer for paddy. The common pool resource of the Soppina Bettas provides manure, botanical pesticides, fuel wood, fodder, medicine and timber to the communities. Traditional farmers of the Malnad area still largely depend on botanicals collected from the homegardens and Soppina Bettas with their considerable floral diversity. A recent study has revealed at least six plant species being used in the area as herbal sources of pesticides. The area is also characterised by areca gardens intercropped with coffee, banana, citrus fruit, vanilla, pepper, etc.

The existence of this unique self-sustaining system is threatened due to over exploitation, conversion of land and lack of awareness.