Appreciation for conserving the traditional traits of seeds by tribal farmers: “Old Seed Festival 2014”: Sanjeevini Rural Development Society – Andhra Pradesh

The Hindu, VISAKHAPATNAM, April 28, 2014

Malivalasa village on Andhra-Odisha border stood first in conserving 203 varieties of old seed followed by Demuduvalasa with 197 varieties.

The farmers were given agricultural implements worth Rs.70,000 on Sunday at the 10th Old Seed Festival organised at Malivalasa in Soova panchayat in Dumbriguda mandal of the district.

Several tribal farmers participated with enthusiasm by exhibiting rare and traditional seed at the festival organised by Sanjeevini Rural Development Society in the village, about 150 km from here.

The festival showcased the tribal people’s tradition of not using chemical fertilizers and pesticides and their practices to preserve the old seed. A large number of women took part in the festival.

Several varieties of seed from millets, paddy, pulses, and vegetables were displayed. A few experts on traditional farming from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh attended.

Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) representative Jacob Nellithanam spoke on importance of proper implementation of Biodiversity Act to conserve our native varieties.

Secretary of Sanjeevini Rural Development Society P. Devullu said millets and other vegetables grown in the area had great demand in the rythu bazaars of Visakhapatnam.

Project co-ordinator of State Biodiversity Board G. Sailu appreciated the tribal people for conserving the traditional traits.

Project consultant from National Biodiversity Authority Andrews, volunteers from Samata, environment science professor K. Kameswar Rao, research scholars — Raji Pachari and M. Madhu Usha — participated.

Organised by Sanjeevini Rural Development Society, it showcases several varieties, including millets, paddy, pulses, and vegetables

Source: Old seed fest evokes good response – The Hindu
Address : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/old-seed-fest-evokes-good-response/article5955469.ece
Date Visited: 4 March 2021

Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture or ASHA is an alliance of about 400 diverse organizations drawn from more than twenty states across India that came together through the Kisan Swaraj Yatra (Oct-Dec 2010), a nation-wide mobilization around Food-Farmers-Freedom. | Learn more >>

Source: Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture | Lokashakti Network
Address : http://www.lokashakti.org/pages/viewgroup/1101-Alliance+for+Sustainable+Holistic+Agriculture
Date Visited: Sun Jan 25 2015 12:47:40 GMT+0100 (CET)

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