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Seeds of strength
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As WTO hurls obnoxious patent laws, local farmers do what they can to hold on to indigenous produce. Here's getting to the root of the matter
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The basic aim is to ensure continuous propagation of local seeds
IT IS a "bank" in the unconventional sense of the term. For, this bank headquartered at Mithabagilu in Belthangady taluk, deals not with any financial instrument or wealth, but with the more important task of preserving local wealth for the future, away from the marauding eyes of many multinational companies.
The Namana Community Seed Bank promoted by Guruvayanakere based Nagarika Seva Trust, Parisarasaktha Krishikara Vedike — Karnataka, and Green Foundation, Bangalore, is just two years young. However, the impact it has had on the farmers of the village is fabulous. It has become a veritable treasure trove of local varieties of paddy and vegetables.
Interesting name
There is an interesting logic behind the name of the bank. According to B.K. Parameshwar, Director of NST, the name had to be adopted to suit local conditions. "Namana" in Kannada means "salutations". And "Namma" means "ours", which connotes a sense of belonging.
The items at this bank include rajakayame, kayame, alyande, kavalakannu, sugikayame, and gandasale, all local varieties of paddy seeds, to name a few. The bank maintains meticulous records and sample seeds for reference and use.
Conceptualised by B.K. Devarao, a progressive farmer, the activities of the bank are managed by Vinod, a local youngster. Unlike commercial banks, which recover the principal with interest, Namana Seed Bank functions on truly cooperative lines, taking back double of what it has lent (in kind) to the farmer. This, says Devarao, is necessary to ensure that the seeds of local variety remain in circulation for longer time. Interestingly, each farmer gets only a fistful of seeds.
The selection of the seed assortment is carefully done. Hybrid seeds are a strict no-no in this bank, Parameshwar says. However, high yielding seeds grown organically are accepted. This thorough adherence to guidelines has enabled the bank to store 54 varieties of local paddy seeds that are traded amongst the farmers for self-use.
Storage facility
Likewise, the bank has also created a store for local vegetables including gourd and winged beans, which Rao laments that it has vanished from the local vegetable gardens. A patron committee ensures that the "customer" uses the seeds properly and returns the seeds on harvest.
While the basic aim is to ensure continuous propagation of local seeds, Parameshwar says it is an answer to multinational companies who might secure patents for indigenous products and market them.
Farmers are made aware of dangers posed by the conditions of World Trade Organisation pertaining to the farm sector. Efforts are made to identify and secure local seeds directly from farmers during field trips.
Elderly farmers also help to ensure that quality seeds are procured.
The promoters reason that there is no need for expensive laboratories to produce improved seed varieties if such banks are set up. Since local farmers are the best judges of the nature and quality of seeds, nothing could be more resourceful than to tap that.
For details, call Parameshwar on 082-56232013.
JAIDEEP SHENOY
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