Seed festival showcases tribal biodiversity in Araku

Visakhapatnam: The 17th Annual Traditional Seed Festival, organised by the Sanjeevini organisation, was held on Tuesday amid great enthusiasm at Killoguda village in the Araku region of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. Aimed at promoting natural farming and the conservation of indigenous seeds, the event saw the participation of Adivasi farmers and representatives from several NGOs across South India. Farmers from the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Koraput in Odisha, and Araku and Rampachodavaram regions of ASR district showcased their traditional seeds at various stalls. Earlier in the day, villagers took out a procession through Killoguda, proudly carrying the seeds they had preserved. The celebrations were enlivened by rhythmic beats of traditional drums and vibrant Dhimsa dance performances. T Baburao Naidu, executive director of the Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (Farmers' Empowerment Organisation), visited the stalls and showed keen interest in learning about the seeds on display. Sukri from Gondivalasa village, Manikanta from Tamil Nadu, and Pratik Mori from Maharashtra emerged as winners of the traditional seed exhibition competition and were felicitated by the organisers.A display of 80 different varieties of tuber seeds, presented by villagers from Gondivalasa in Dumbriguda mandal, emerged as a special attraction. Visitors showed keen interest in the varieties and sought detailed information from the growers. Addressing a meeting presided over by Pachari Devullu, General Secretary of the Sanjeevini organisation, speakers Ravi Varma (Dhanvantari Sahasrayu Peetham), Vijayaram (SAVE Foundation), scientist Pathro (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University), scientist Srinivas (IIMR), and convener Jacob Nellithanam (Beej Swaraj Manch) commended Sanjeevini for its 17-year-long efforts in conserving indigenous seeds. They stressed the need for the government to formally recognise and encourage organic farming clusters in the Araku region.