Araku Seed Festival Biodiversity was at the center of the 17th annual Old Seed Festival held in Killoguda village in Araku Valley. The event highlighted the importance of protecting indigenous seeds and promoting natural farming. Organised by Sanjeevini, the festival brought together Adivasi farmers, researchers, and environmentalists.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Farmers Showcase Indigenous Seed Diversity

Farmers from Araku, Rampachodavaram, the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, and Koraput in Odisha displayed a wide range of traditional seeds. These included millets, pulses, and tubers that are well adapted to tribal farming systems.

The festival began with a colorful village procession where participants carried preserved seeds. Traditional drum performances and the famous Dhimsa dance added cultural value to the celebration.

Special Focus on Tuber Seed Conservation

One of the key highlights was the display of 80 varieties of tuber seeds by farmers from Gondivalasa village. These traditional crops attracted attention from visitors and experts.

Farmers explained how they preserve seeds and grow crops using natural methods. Indigenous tubers are important because they need fewer chemicals and can survive changing weather conditions.

Recognition for Farmers and Natural Farming Efforts

T. Baburao Naidu visited the stalls and interacted with farmers. In the seed competition, Sukri, Manikanta, and Pratik Mori were honored for their valuable contributions.

Experts and organisations appreciated Sanjeevini’s 17 years of work in protecting native seeds and supporting sustainable farming in tribal regions.

Araku Seed Festival Biodiversity Support Demand

Participants called for stronger support from institutions to promote organic farming in the Araku region. They stressed that tribal agriculture helps maintain ecological balance and improves livelihoods.

Experts highlighted that conserving indigenous seeds can boost food security, protect biodiversity, and reduce dependence on chemical farming. The festival also showed the importance of preserving traditional knowledge in modern agriculture.