Article Title: Beej Utsav held across 3 states stresses role of indigenous seeds in agricultural sustainability
24-06-2025
Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Analysis
Context
• A four-day ‘Beej Utsav (seed festival)’ held in the tribal belt at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat this month highlighted the role of indigenous seeds in agricultural sustainability. Farmers from tribal groups pledged to rebuild community-led seed systems.
• Over 9,400 members of tribal communities, including women and children, participated in events during the festival and learned the techniques of preserving indigenous seeds for use in different crop seasons. They were made aware of the significance of seed heritage, biodiversity, and climate consciousness.
• The festival was organised simultaneously in over 60 panchayats spread across the three States, with activities including ‘Beej Samvad (seed dialogue)’, biodiversity fairs, ‘seed ball’ making, and plantation drives.
• Community honours, including ‘Beej Mitra (seed friend)’, and ‘Beej Mata (seed mother)’, were awarded to exemplary seed-preserving farmers.
• Seeds should not just be considered the foundation of farming, but treated as symbols of identity, life, nutrition, culture, and climate resilience in tribal traditions, Vaagdhara secretary Jayesh Joshi said in Jaipur on Monday.
• “When nearly 70% of small farmers depend on market-driven hybrid seeds, Beej Utsav is a powerful reminder to reclaim our seed sovereignty,” he said.
• Seeds in the market often come with chemical inputs, health risks, and high costs, Mr. Joshi said.
• Tribal farmers need to return to their roots and join community-led and culturally grounded action, which will offer solutions to climate change and food insecurity, he said
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