‘Beej Utsav’ highlights role of indigenous seeds in agricultural sustainability

A four-day-long ‘Beej Utsav’ (seed festival) held in the tribal belt at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat earlier this month highlighted the role of indigenous seeds in agricultural sustainability. Tribal farmers took a pledge to rebuild community-led seed systems.

Over 9,400 members of tribal communities, including women and children, participating in the events during the festival, learned the techniques of preserving indigenous seeds for use in different crop seasons. They were apprised of the significance of seed heritage, biodiversity, and climate consciousness.

The festival was organised simultaneously in over 60 village panchayats spread across the three States, with activities including ‘Beej Samvad’ (seed dialogue), biodiversity fairs, ‘seed ball’ making, and plantation drives. Community honours, including ‘Beej Mitra’ (seed friend), and ‘Beej Mata’ (seed mother) were awarded to exemplary seed-preserving farmers.

Community-led institutions, including Krishi Evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, Gram Swaraj Samooh, Saksham Samooh, and Bal Swaraj Samooh were instrumental in organising the festival. They were supported by Banswara-based voluntary group Vaagdhara, which works on the tribal livelihood issues.

Seeds should not just be considered the foundation of farming, but treated as symbols of identity, life, nutrition, culture, and climate resilience in tribal traditions, Vaagdhara secretary Jayesh Joshi said here on Monday. “When nearly 70% of small farmers depend on market-driven hybrid seeds, ‘Beej Utsav’ is a powerful reminder to reclaim our seed sovereignty,” Mr. Joshi said.

Indigenous seeds of grains, pulses, vegetables and fruits exhibited during the festival included some rare and forgotten varieties. Traditional fruit seeds included wild mango, Aakol and Timru, while traditional grains includedDoodh Mogar (native maize), and the paddy varieties of Kali Kamod and Dhimri.

Among indigenous vegetables, karingda (wild melon), small bitter gourd, and naari bhaji (water spinach) attracted participants, who said they were using them for domestic consumption.

Seeds in the market often came with chemical inputs, health risks, and high costs, which had rendered farming unsustainable, Mr. Joshi said. The need for tribal farmers was to return to their roots and join community-led and culturally grounded action, which would offer solutions to climate change and food insecurity, the community leader said.