Barsha Gain from the coast
Many traditional native seed varieties of the coastal region are disappearing due to climate change and various natural disasters. Some of these seeds are on the verge of extinction from farmers’ fields. However, some farmers are now striving to revive the past agricultural tradition by conserving seeds at their homes.
On the occasion of International Seed Day an exceptional discussion meeting on “Protecting Coastal native Seeds and Biodiversity” was held recently at Terakati field of Dhumghat, Ishwaripur Union, Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira. The event was organized by Dhumghat Shapla Women Development Organization with the facilitation support of BARCIK. The meeting was presided over by Alpana Rani Mistri, caretaker of the Dhumghat Agroecology Learning Center.
The discussion was conducted by BARCIK’s associate program officer Barsha Gain, with a welcome speech by regional coordinator Ramkrishna Joardar. Other participants included: Gobinda Mondal, caretaker of the Shriphalkati Agroecology Learning Center, and members of Shapla Women’s Development Organization, Swapnachura Youth Organization, and the local community.
Discussants in the meeting emphasized that collecting, conserving, using, exchanging, and selling native seeds are farmers’ rights. However, farmers are increasingly being deprived of these rights. The discussants mentioned that in coastal areas, market seeds often fail due to salinity, forcing repeated purchases and discouraging farming, thus eroding farmers’ freedom of choice. Therefore, farmers must become more aware and active in conserving native seed varieties to regain their autonomy in production and move a step closer to achieving food sovereignty.
They further stated that although the word ‘seed’ is small, the biodiversity of the planet depends on it. Without seeds, agriculture is unimaginable. Farmers are the backbone of agricultural production, yet they have no seeds, while companies own them without producing crops. Why should farmers buy seeds from corporations? Seeds are farmers’ rights. Let farmers’ homes become seed banks and seed stores.
At the end of the event, Alpana Rani Mistri exchanged local seeds among participants.
