Why in News?
The ‘Beej Utsav’ was held across the tribal belt of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat to promote indigenous seed conservation. Over 9,400 tribal participants pledged to rebuild community-led seed systems for agricultural sustainability and climate resilience.
Description:
- Definition: Beej Utsav, meaning Seed Festival, is a grassroots initiative celebrating and preserving indigenous seed varieties in tribal-dominated regions of southern Rajasthan.
Objectives:
- Preserve indigenous seeds that are at risk of extinction.
- Promote crop diversity and climate resilience.
- Encourage traditional knowledge systems in agriculture.
Key Features:
- When Held: Last week of June annually.
- Where: Tribal belt at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Participation:
- ~90 seed festivals across the region.
- Thousands of tribal farmers from ~1,000 villages and hamlets.
Activities at Beej Utsavs:
- Learning techniques to store and preserve indigenous seeds.
- Exchange of seeds among farmers.
- Spreading awareness in villages.
- Pledges to protect and regularly use traditional seeds.
Key Locations & Tribes:
- Example: Sera Nagla village, Banswara district.
- Tribe Involved: Predominantly Bheel community.
Organizers:
- Lead: Vaagdhara – a Banswara-based voluntary group.
- Support Groups:
- Krishi Evum Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan
- Gram Swaraj Samooh
- Saksham Samooh
- Baal Swaraj
Benefits of Indigenous Seeds:
- Local Compatibility: Well-suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
- Economic Sustainability: Reduce dependence on multinational seed companies.
- Environmental Resilience: Support sustainable farming.
- Diversity: Over 50 seed varieties displayed – including millets, pulses, and vegetables.
Recognition & Motivation:
- Awards:
- Beej Mitra (Seed Friends)
- Beej Mata (Seed Mothers)
- Honours awarded to farmers who actively preserve and promote indigenous seeds.
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