Seed festival showcases tribal biodiversity in Araku

Visakhapatnam: The two day 17th annual traditional seed festival, organised by the Sanjeevini organization, got under way on Tuesday in an atmosphere of great enthusiasm at Killoguda village in the Araku valley of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Aimed at promoting natural farming and the conservation of indigenous seeds, the event witnessed the participation of Adivasi (tribal) farmers and representatives from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.

Farmers from regions including the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Koraput in Odisha, as well as Araku and Rampachodavaram, 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 festivities were enlivened by the 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 took a keen interest in learning about the details of the seeds on display.

Sukri from Gondivalasa village, Manikanta from Tamil Nadu, and Pratik Mori from Maharashtra emerged as winners in the traditional seed exhibition competition and were felicitated by the organizers.

A display featuring 80 different varieties of tuber seeds, presented by the villagers of Gondivalasa in Dumbriguda Mandal, stood out as a special attraction of the festival. Visitors showed keen interest in these tuber varieties and inquired extensively about them.

Speaking at a meeting held on the occasion, presided over by Pachari Devullu, general secretary of the Sanjeevini organisation, representatives 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 the Sanjeevini organisation for its achievements over the past 17 years in conserving indigenous seeds.

They emphasised the need for the government to specifically recognise and encourage the organic farming clusters in the Araku region.

Environmental activists Sohan Atangadi and Jayashree Atangadi, Sanjeevini Director P.VA, Killoguda sarpanch Seetharam, Adivasi Mitra President K. Manmadha Rao, WASAN representative Prakash, M.N.R. Varma, G. Srinivas, and others participated in the event.