Community Seed Festival in Ganjam Promotes Indigenous Seed Conservation and Sustainable Farming

Ganjam: The Community Seed Festival, organized by women farmers’ group Snehamandali in Baradasahi village, Buguda Block, brought together 400 farmers and agricultural experts from 30 villages across Ganjam and Nayagarh districts. The festival celebrated indigenous seed conservation, emphasized the importance of organic farming, and encouraged sustainable agricultural practices rooted in traditional knowledge.

The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Padma Shri awardee Dr. Sabarmatee, Co-Founder of Sambhav, a leading organization in seed conservation and ecological farming. Dutikrushna Patra, Block Development Officer (BDO), Buguda Block, attended as the Chief Guest, highlighting the significance of native seeds in strengthening natural farming systems.

Several experts and activists participated in discussions, including Dr. Anita Patra (Senior Scientist), Puspanjali Satpathy (Forest Land Rights Activist), Dr. S.K. Jata (Senior Scientist, CTCRI, Govt of India), Rakhi Ghosh (Senior Journalist), Dr. Md. Imran Ali (State Facilitator, NCNF-Odisha), Ramkrushna from Sambhav, and Dr. Surya Narayan Sahoo (Ayurvedic Doctor). They stressed the importance of preserving traditional seed varieties, promoting soil health, and encouraging women farmers’ leadership in sustainable agriculture.

The festival was part of the “Bhala Khaiba, Bhala Khuaiba” initiative, which translates to “We will eat safe and good food, and we will feed safe and good food.” This initiative seeks to increase the production of organic food, improve soil fertility, and enhance biodiversity.

A major highlight of the festival was the seed exchange program, where farmers traded indigenous seeds and pledged to protect and cultivate traditional seed varieties. The event was also designed as a zero-waste initiative, with biodegradable materials replacing plastic to minimize environmental impact.

Throughout the day, the festival featured tribal music, folk performances, and storytelling sessions that connected agricultural traditions with cultural heritage. “This festival is not just about seeds but about securing food sovereignty and empowering communities,” said Dr. Sabarmatee, emphasizing the need for local farmers to reclaim seed independence and natural farming methods.

The event was coordinated by Dr. Suresh Bisoyi, Namita Apa, and Manoj Pati from Sambhav, along with community volunteers like Lipu Pradhan, Prasanna Pradhan, Barsha, and Reeta.