Sahaja Samrudha, emphasizing the alarming erosion of agricultural biological diversity, in cooperation with the reconstruction of the seeds of India and Sahaja organizes the desi seed festival in Mysuru 5 and 6 July in Nanjaraja Bahadur Chlechtry.
The two -day event – scheduled to take place from 10:00 to 20:00 – aims to revive awareness and support the preservation of native seed varieties, connect seed cans, farmer scientists, enthusiasts and consumers.
The seed exhibition will have more than 100 varieties of native crops, including rice, millet, tubers, pulses, green and vegetables. In addition, traditional types of oil, rare varieties of pigeons, black and green chickpeas and products with added value from neglected crops will also be exhibited. Juice will be served from insufficiently used fruit and will introduce visitors to forgotten taste.
Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samruddha, an organization that works on the promotion of agricultural diversity and documents the varieties of native crops, said traditional seeds and crops would disappear from the fields, and the slice of agricultural heritage will also disappear.
This happens because of farmers who now prefer high -profit hybrid and commercial crop varieties, he said.
Mr. Krishnaprasad said that indigenous seeds – preserved for centuries of agricultural communities – are now exposed to the risk of extinction, replaced by crops driven by market demand, climate change and consumer preferences.
He pointed out that regions such as Kollegal and Periyapatna were once bastions of millet, but since the last few decades have been grown by their tobacco; And barely several varieties exist in the HD Kote tribal belt.
Similarly, in Malavalli and the surrounding talkes, the corn dressed in agricultural land, which once raised a diverse mixture of native crops, added.
He said that Dryland Paddy breeding is almost extinct, although in the areas of Nanjangud and Gundlupet prone to drought it was quite common. In addition to tobacco and corn, cotton cultivation also accelerated the demise of some traditional crops varieties, added Mr. Krishnaprasad.
Among the traditional rice varieties, Yelllandur was known for Ratnachoodi, while the Chamarajanagar border areas cultivated Salem Sanna. Similarly, Periyapatan in Mysur and Arkalgud in Hassan were rajabhog bastions. But today they rarely cultivated, according to Sahaja Samruddha. According to conservators, the loss of genetic and crop diversity and erosion of ecological balance is a pure result.
The seed festival will revive a piece of agricultural heritage in the region and supports the sale of desi varieties such as Rajamudi, Ratnachodi, Sindhooor Madhusale, Gandha Sale, Dodda Baira, Burma Black, Chinnapon and Rice, along Jagaur radi and native vegetables.
Recognition of the role of younger generations in the protection of agricultural diversity was planned for children aged 5 to 12 years.
The competition encourages children to explore the seed culture, rituals and the danger of hybrid addiction. Drawings must be submitted on Sunday until 12:30. In addition, according to organizers, they will add competitions to identify seed for children and adults by adding an interactive element to the festival, supporting curiosity and sharing knowledge.
For more details call 70900 09944.
Published – 3 July 2025 06:53 IS IS
