Need for indigenous seeds

India for several years have been synonymous  to agriculture which is evident from the fact that 60% of its population is still engaged in agriculture and Agri related activities , earlier farmers used to rely on traditional style of farming. Kathia,Jalalia, Mundi Pissi, Red Pissi, White Pissi, Bansi, Bangasia,and Soharia were the available local (Desi) wheat seeds while kardhana ,Jheena, Bagh moonch, Kali moonch,Batro,Kshatri,Lalai, Bhadel etc were the local paddy seeds. Similarly there were different types of Sorghum,Chana,Lentils,Green Lentils and Corn seeds were available in the market.

 With the advent of Green revolution, India adapted new advanced method to become self sufficient in food production after Bengal famine. High Yielding Varieties (HYV) of seeds and increase use of fertilizer and irrigation were introduced in several districts of India.For many years these hybrid seeds produced great yield but now the situation has changed, despite nurturing the land with quantity of fertilizers, the production rate is suffering huge downfall.

Earlier farmers used to sow local seeds from which he used to save some grains from the crop for next sowing season or borrowed some from his neighboring farmers. Women used to store and preserve the seeds. In comparison to indigenous seeds which were free now farmers have to pay for the cross-breed seeds and have become dependent on the companies and the govt agencies.