Community Seed Festival in Nayagarh Promotes Organic Farming and Biodiversity Conservation

Nayagarh: A significant event for local farmers, the Community Seed Festival took place at Mantukhaman village under Beruhanbari Gram Panchayat in Nuagaon Block, Nayagarh. Organized by Sambhav in collaboration with a women farmers’ group, the festival brought together a wide array of community members, environmentalists, and agriculture advocates to reinforce the importance of sustainable farming practices and natural food production.

The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Sundarnarayan Patra, President of the Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar. Dr. Patra, alongside other dignitaries such as Anil Kumar Swain, Fishery Scientist from KVK, Nayagarh, Nihar Ranjan Prusty, BAO of Nuagaon Block, and Balwant Mistry from the UK, emphasized the critical need for practices that protect both the environment and public health.

Dr. Sabarmatee, Secretary of Sambhav and Padmashree Awardee, opened the event with a welcome address, stressing the dangers posed by chemical-driven agriculture and its impact on health and the environment. In light of the increasing climate crisis, the panel discussions focused on how natural farming can provide viable alternatives to industrial agriculture and ensure long-term sustainability.

The festival’s core theme, “Bhala Khaiba, Bhala Khuaiba,” emphasized the benefits of organic farming and the conservation of indigenous seeds. This initiative, led by the women farmers’ group Sneha Mandalis, highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation as a way to protect food security and promote self-sufficiency. Farmers participated in the exhibition of various indigenous seeds and engaged in seed exchanges, strengthening the movement towards sustainable agriculture.

Through this community-driven effort, the festival not only promoted the conservation of local agricultural resources but also fostered a sense of unity among farmers to continue safeguarding indigenous farming practices for future generations. With support from Sambhav and the Bharat Agroecology Fund, the event was a key step in promoting organic farming practices while combating the challenges posed by climate change.