Shillong, Mar 29: As part of its project titled “Empowering Indigenous Communities through Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) for resilient, integrated and innovative natural resource management”, NESFAS, in partnership with Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) and Social Service Centre (SSC), organised a Community Seed Bank Exchange Visit at Mulum, West Jaintia Hills.
The project is supported by MBMA and funded by the World Bank.
The event brought together 10 communities from East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills to share their knowledge regarding indigenous food systems, traditional crops and also to exchange seeds as an initiative to preserve, conserve and propagate in their respective communities. It saw the participation of farmers, seed keepers, who are ALC members of the project.
The main objectives of this programme were to build a strong network between the different community seed banks from Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and Garo Hills. At the same time, to also facilitate exchange of knowledge on indigenous crops, seed savings and seed propagation. This event was also focused on seeds between the communities with the goal to protect, elevate and safeguard all the indigenous seeds in the community.
During the event, members from each community shared their experiences in the preservation of seeds and the importance and vitality of the same. In his welcome address, the Chairperson of NESFAS, H.H Mohrrmen, stressed on the importance and true meaning of culture in our lives. He spoke about everything that entails the word “culture” and how it is ever evolving yet in a dire need, now more than ever, to be preserved and taken care of. He said that seeds are the stepping stones to life as we know it. He further went on saying that after the success of the rice festival a couple of years back, it was imperative to organize such an event where the importance of seeds is discussed.
A school teacher cum ALC farmer from Laitsohpliah, Nestar Kharmawphlang, along with the attendees, discussed the way seed exchange has shaped cultures over the years and developed the heritage of the ancient people. Through this seed exchange programme, the attendees saw a whole new variety of seeds, in contrast to the seeds they had seen only within their areas. They were also educated on new systems of farming as a result of which gave rise to newfound optimism and enthusiasm within them.
A custodian farmer from Khapmaw, Ambious Umsong, brought about some very pertinent points in her speech where she stressed on the fact that most olden methods of farming and seed conservation are going extinct. She expressed that it is through events like these that farmers will be inspired to plant more local food plants for sale and also be able to simultaneously protect these seeds from further extinction and damage.
Bibiana Ranee’s view was that the main aim of the seed exchange is to march forward and cultivate traditional food. In her speech, she thanked NESFAS and urged the farmers to become one tight-knit and strong community.
Later on in the programme, there was an exchange of seeds amongst community members as well as a display by the ten communities. Pius Ranee discussed the importance of preservation and protection of the local knowledge so as to prosper and uphold traditional richness and culture. He also shared his views on wanting all farmers to prosper and be more skilful in order to bring this policy forward ahead and that the government will look more into strengthening traditional farming.
Towards the ending of the programme, Arwanki Mawlong, Knowledge Manager of the CLLMP Project under MBMA, addressed that the main idea was to promote the ecosystem and to have sustainability of resources. He concluded by saying, “people can make use of the resources from the environment and through the process, simultaneously reinforce traditional ideas for the future generations.”
