The Appropriate Technology Transfer Network (BAT NET) organised a State-level seeds exhibition here recently to showcase traditional agriculture methods and restore and conserve traditional seeds.
Farmers from 20 organisations of 15 districts participated in the exhibition. They vehemently opposed the BRAI Bill and urged the State Government to identify and restore traditional seeds available with farmers. Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo along with two women farmers inaugurated the exhibition. Focus Odisha convenor Sudarshan Chhotray and former member of National Farmers Commission Jagadish Pradhan were guests of honours.
BAT NET president Binayak Swain stressed the need to boycott hybrid and GM (genetically-modified) seeds and employ traditional method of agriculture as traditional paddy seeds can give high yields without fertilisers. Some of these varieties are nutritious, drought, flood and pest-resistant, he said. Speakers said penetration of multinational seed companies in Indian market and mindless use of pesticides and fertilisers have proved a burden for Indian farmers. Hybrid seeds are being promoted to facilitate GM in agriculture. That’s ostensibly the reason why the Government of India is bringing the BRAI Bill.
Agriculture being a State subject, the consent of the State Governments and farmers should be taken into consideration on these issues, they said. Once in Odisha, as many as 30,000 varieties of paddy were grown. During the Green Revolution, most of the farmers switched over to high-yielding varieties. In the process, thousands of valuable seeds with unique values were lost, they pointed out.