Seed festival highlighting agricultural heritage and crop diversity under way in Mysuru
Organised by Sahaja Samrudha and Rebuild India, the event is being held at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, and over 100 varieties of indigenous seeds of various crops are on display. Value-added products are also being sold at the event, which was inaugurated by farmer Padmamma of Kanagalu village in Periyapatana taluk, who is also a seed conservator.
She underlined the role played by women in preserving and nurturing the diversity of native seeds handed down through generations. ''The leadership of the Community Seed Bank scheme, implemented by the government, should be entrusted to women's groups,' she added.
'I have preserved over 100 native seeds over the past 10 years. I grow and multiply them every year, and share them with interested people,' said Padmamma, who expressed concern that seed diversity, once lost, could not be retrieved.
B.N. Dhananjaya, Deputy Director of Agriculture, said that Farmer Producer Companies should actively market diverse farm products and earn profits. B.N. Gnanesh, head of the JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Suttur, said local varieties adapt well to climate change, and that it was important to conserve, nurture, and promote such varieties. 'Indigenous crops like Nanjangud Rasabale, Rajamudi, and Ratnachoodi must regain prominence,' he added.
G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha, said farmers have preserved genetic diversity for hundreds of years, and it was imperative to pass it on to posterity. He also called for government support for seed conservators.
More than 20 seed savers and conservators from across Karnataka have displayed a range of seeds of fruits, vegetables, and pulses.
Diverse food items made from horse gram, jowar rotti from North Karnataka, beverages made from underutilised fruits, and ragi malt with value addition, are among the main draw for visitors.
Besides, artistic items made by Mysuru's Krishi Kala using sorekai (bottle gourd) such as lamps, flower vases, and seed rakhis attracted the crowd.
On Sunday, there will be a drawing contest for children in the age group of 5 to 12 years to create awareness about seed conservation. Interested children can draw at home and bring their artworks to the venue by 12 p.m., the organisers said.
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The two-day seed festival 'Desi Beejotsava', featuring a variety of seeds of a slew of crops, underscored the importance of ensuring seed sovereignty for farmers. The event, which concluded on Sunday, was organised by Sahaja Samrudha and Rebuild India in Mysuru, where seed savers from different parts of Karnataka exhibited seeds of various crops that were becoming rare due to the introduction of hybrid varieties amid changing consumer demands. Writer Kalegowda Nagawara, who spoke at the valedictory, said that desi seeds reflect the food culture and agricultural traditions of each region. 'They ensure food security. Preserving and cultivating such seeds is the need of the hour,' he added. The organisers drew attention to a farmer named Anjaneya, hailing from Kumbaluru village in Harihara taluk, Davanagere district, who participated in the event, and pointed out that he had conserved over 200 native paddy varieties and established a rice seed bank. The varieties he developed — Sindhoora Madhusale, Andanooru Sanna, Kumbala Saale, Giri Saale, and Madhu Saale — have been registered as Farmer Varieties by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FR), New Delhi, and these varieties were officially released at the 'Desi Beejotsava'. The Sahaja Samrudha said that these varieties are in high demand among consumers, and that Anjaneya was offering the seeds to those interested in cultivating them. Those interested in obtaining the seeds can call at 7090009944. As part of the Seed Mela, an art competition was also conducted for children in a bid to create awareness about the importance of indigenous seed culture. Under the 5 to 7 years age category, Manvitha won the first prize, Yuktashaiva secured the second prize, and Ritav M.P. received the third prize. Under the 8 to 12 years age category, Teerth Soni won the first prize, Punardatta secured the second prize, and Arya received the third prize. Srinivasa Murthy, a rice conservator, said that seeds are nature's artwork that spark curiosity and creativity. 'Organising such a competition to educate children on seed heritage has also succeeded in spreading the importance of indigenous seeds among parents,' he added.
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Desi Beejotsava: Women urged to lead community seed banks
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The Hindu
05-07-2025
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Seed festival highlighting agricultural heritage and crop diversity under way in Mysuru
The two-day seed festival 'Desi Beejothsava' got under way in the city on Saturday with the objective of propagating seed and agricultural diversity and underlining the imperatives of their conservation. Organised by Sahaja Samrudha and Rebuild India, the event is being held at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, and over 100 varieties of indigenous seeds of various crops are on display. Value-added products are also being sold at the event, which was inaugurated by farmer Padmamma of Kanagalu village in Periyapatana taluk, who is also a seed conservator. She underlined the role played by women in preserving and nurturing the diversity of native seeds handed down through generations. ''The leadership of the Community Seed Bank scheme, implemented by the government, should be entrusted to women's groups,' she added. 'I have preserved over 100 native seeds over the past 10 years. I grow and multiply them every year, and share them with interested people,' said Padmamma, who expressed concern that seed diversity, once lost, could not be retrieved. B.N. Dhananjaya, Deputy Director of Agriculture, said that Farmer Producer Companies should actively market diverse farm products and earn profits. B.N. Gnanesh, head of the JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Suttur, said local varieties adapt well to climate change, and that it was important to conserve, nurture, and promote such varieties. 'Indigenous crops like Nanjangud Rasabale, Rajamudi, and Ratnachoodi must regain prominence,' he added. G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha, said farmers have preserved genetic diversity for hundreds of years, and it was imperative to pass it on to posterity. He also called for government support for seed conservators. More than 20 seed savers and conservators from across Karnataka have displayed a range of seeds of fruits, vegetables, and pulses. Diverse food items made from horse gram, jowar rotti from North Karnataka, beverages made from underutilised fruits, and ragi malt with value addition, are among the main draw for visitors. Besides, artistic items made by Mysuru's Krishi Kala using sorekai (bottle gourd) such as lamps, flower vases, and seed rakhis attracted the crowd. On Sunday, there will be a drawing contest for children in the age group of 5 to 12 years to create awareness about seed conservation. Interested children can draw at home and bring their artworks to the venue by 12 p.m., the organisers said.
