'Beej Utsav' (Seed Festival)
The four-day 'Beej Utsav' was held in the tribal belt at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, focusing on the role of indigenous seeds for agricultural sustainability.
Key Activities and Participation
- Tribal farmers pledged to rebuild community-led seed systems.
- Over 9,400 tribal community members participated, learning techniques to preserve indigenous seeds for different crop seasons.
- Participants were educated on seed heritage significance, biodiversity, and climate consciousness.
Festival Features
- Organized in over 60 village panchayats across three states.
- Included activities like ‘Beej Samvad’ (seed dialogue), biodiversity fairs, seed ball making, and plantation drives.
- Honors like ‘Beej Mitra’ (seed friend) and ‘Beej Mata’ (seed mother) awarded to exemplary seed-preserving farmers.
Organizers and Support
- Community-led institutions like Krishi Evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, Gram Swaraj Samooh, Saksham Samooh, and Bal Swaraj Samooh organized the festival.
- Supported by Vaagdhara, a Banswara-based voluntary group working on tribal livelihood issues.
Significance of Seeds
Vaagdhara secretary, Jayesh Joshi, highlighted that seeds are symbols of identity, life, nutrition, culture, and climate resilience in tribal traditions. He emphasized that about 70% of small farmers depend on market-driven hybrid seeds, and ‘Beej Utsav’ serves as a reminder to reclaim seed sovereignty.
Exhibited Indigenous Seeds
- Rare and forgotten varieties of grains, pulses, vegetables, and fruits, such as wild mango, Aakol, Timru, Doodh Mogar (native maize), and the paddy varieties of Kali Kamod and Dhimri.
- Indigenous vegetables like karingda (wild melon), small bitter gourd, and naari bhaji (water spinach) were highlighted for domestic consumption.
Challenges and Solutions
Seeds in the market often come with chemical inputs, health risks, and high costs, making farming unsustainable. Tribal farmers need to return to roots with community-led, culturally grounded actions to address climate change and food insecurity.
