Community Seed Festival 2024 at Daspalla, Odisha, organised by partners of the Common Ground Initiative NIRMAN, brought together over 1,000 community members, farmers, and thought leaders to champion traditional seed conservation, agroecological practices, and the region’s agricultural heritage.
Highlights at the Festival:
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18 Exhibition Stalls showcasing traditional seed varieties, a cultural photo exhibition, and an Integrated Farming System (IFS) model.
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Platforms for knowledge and seed exchange, allowed for collaboration among farmers and experts and enthusiasts in agroecology.
Showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives in shaping a resilient agricultural future, the Daspalla community shared their resolve to protect traditional seeds and support farming practices for generations to come further inspiring collective action and knowledge-sharing.
Highlighting the importance of preserving indigenous seeds and bridging the gap between agricultural research and community practices, the festival included dignitaries such as Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India and experts Dr. Pratap Bhattacharyya, ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, and Dr Prasannajit Mishra from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology.
Read more about the festival here: Community Seed Festival Celebrated at Dasapalla echoed rich biodiversity and community stewardship
Highlights of this year’s festival are captured in this video
