Bengaluru: In a world that is distancing itself from ‘natural’, here is an initiative, which has been inspiring communities to go natural.
‘Sahaja Samrudha is an organic farmers’ collective that has been encouraging farmers to return to natural methods of farming over the last two decades. It is engaged in spearheading a movement for the promotion of “ecological agriculture” by carrying out a drive to revive the indigenous seeds.
In Kannada the word Sahaja means natural and Samrudha means prosperous and the initiative is standing by the true essence of its name and rightly so, Sahaja Samrudha organic farmers group is one of the prominent farmers’ organizations in the country today.
It has the distinction of being India’s first farmer-owned organic seed bank. From spreading the word about organic farming, ill-effects of the use of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides in farming activities to conserving the traditional seeds, promoting millets, returning to the natural way of living, this group is working tirelessly across the country to make a difference.
Changing Mindset
Today, the biggest challenge is to spread awareness among people and convincing them to turn to organic ways of farming. What makes the situation worse is that most farmers themselves do not understand the need to take up organic farming. The availability of hybrid seeds has been doing a lot of harm and the farmers have been purchasing the expensive hybrid seeds.
The need of the hour is to encourage the people to start preserving the local seed varieties. Which adapt to the local conditions and also require no pesticides. This group is involved in spreading awareness about these aspects. Which is a true sense results in the empowerment of the farmers. Adding to it, this group is helping the farmers to find a pan India level market for their organic products.
The Founder
This group is the brainchild of G Krishna Prasad, who is engaged in sustainable farming activities for the last 20 years. His work in conserving traditional seed varieties has deservingly brought him the title ‘Native Seed Man of Rural Karnataka’.
According to G Krishna Prasad, who is the Founder and Director of Sahaja Samrudha, the company has met and has been inspired by many local seed savers. These are people who had reproduced and handed down from generation to generation seeds. But that had the unmatched richness of flavor, nutritional benefit, and resistance to pests and diseases. In an effort to bring these exotic varieties to the consumers. But while assuring quality and purity, Desi Seed Producer Company Limited a part of the mother organization Sahaja Samrudha was born!
Over 150 varieties saved
This group was started in 2000 and in a short period, the farmers associated with the group have saved. And also produced more than 150 potential varieties that can be grown by any consumer – The ones living in urban apartments to the rural fields.
These varieties have been carefully picked to meet high standards of flavor and nutrition. The seeds are marketed under the brand name ‘Sahaja Seeds’- high-quality, organically grown, traditional, open-pollinated vegetables and cereal crops seeds.
Pan India Initiative
According to the group, the seed producers are spread across the country. These seed varieties are adaptable in nature so that they can be cultivated in any part of the country. They are saved by the farmers’ families for generations. Many seeds are saved by the communities over a period of time.
This group is now involved in conserving these seeds by producing them with the help of farmers. And spreading words among the communities to use them. It is also engaged in exchanging rare varieties.
5,000 organic farmers:
Today this group has become synonymous with organic farming products across the country. In Karnataka alone, over 5,000 farmers are working for the group. But these farmers are growing their native crops and helping society in a great way by conserving the seeds. They are reviving the traditional farming system also. The group is now engaged in supplying various organic products and seeds across the country.
Innovative Experiments
This group is known for making innovative experiments to make organic farming a way of life. Recently, when the country was celebrating the Rakhi festival, the group brought out seed rakhis. But the idea is to help the green cover in our vicinity. When the rakhi is thrown away, it will sprout into a sapling, thereby contributing to the growth of green cover.
The farmers of Karnataka recall how the group helped them to revive several native varieties of seeds and popularise the millets. The group is releasing an annual calendar to enable people to understand the importance of the organic way of life.
In Karnataka, the group is involved in a number of unique activities. For example, the Tuber Mela organized by the group is now winning the hearts of everyone. The organization is helping people to understand the importance of tubers and how they can help people to improve their health. And besides creating a sustainable market for the producers- mostly those who live in the forests. This Tuber Mela has helped people in understanding the importance of returning to their roots.
With the mission of conserving, propagating, promoting agro-bio-diversity, and building seed-saving communities, the farmers’ collective is touching lives in a unique manner.
