Kheti Virasat cultivating desi seeds to counter pesticides

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 18

A non-profit organisation working for environmental issues and eco-sustainable rural development has started a seed-mapping exercise of desi seeds.

Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) is documenting various varieties of desi seeds all across Punjab, with focus on establishing family/community seed banks.

“Since nature is able to sustain itself and balance various factors of existence by itself, it is quite clear that the seeds which have developed over years by natural selection, either by nature or farmer, are the best way to sustain our lives. The importance of native traditional seeds is now being understood by the farmers. A significant number of farmers growing pesticide-free food have started saving traditional seeds from last couple of years,” said Umendra Dutt, executive director of KVM.

KVM already has a collection of traditional seeds. But it requires a proper documentation. According to experts from KVM, farmers who have opted for pesticide-free produce have 15-20 or even more types of desi seeds of grains, vegetables and cereals. This is an encouraging development signifying community control over biodiversity.

According to the KVM executive director, the Kheti Virasat Mission has formed a working group to take care of the seed work, including documentation, establishing family/community seed banks, distribution of seeds and conducting seed conservation trainings and workshops. The group would also look after seed distribution and marketing. The seed mapping will be followed by establishment of seed banks across Punjab so that desi seeds are easily available. To make the procedure of sowing desi seeds an enriching experience and to foster sharing of information, KVM plans to organise seed festivals and exchange programmes. In these events, farmers can exchange their seeds and share their experiences with one another.

Eco concern

• NGO Kheti Virasat Mission aims to promote eco-sustainable agri practices 
• It has started the mapping of desi seeds, which will ‘adapt to changes in nature’
• Desi seeds have become a hit with farmers growing pesticide-free food