A community seed bank exchange visit was organised by NESFAS today in partnership with Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) and Social Service Centre (SSC) at Mulum in West Jaiñtia Hills.
The event brought together 10 communities from the East Khasi Hills, Jaiñtia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills to share their knowledge regarding indigenous food systems, traditional crops and also to exchange seeds as an initiative to preserve, conserve and propagate in their respective communities.
The event is part of the NESFAS project titled “Empowering Indigenous Communities through Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) for resilient, integrated and innovative natural resource management” supported by MBMA and funded by the World Bank.
The main objectives of this programme were to build a strong network between the different community seed banks from Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi and Garo Hills and at the same time, to facilitate exchange of knowledge on indigenous crops, seed savings and seed propagation. It also focused on seeds between the communities with the goal to protect, elevate and safeguard all the indigenous seeds in the community.
During the event, members from each community shared their experiences in the preservation of seeds and the importance and vitality of the same.
NESFAS chairperson H.H. Mohrrmen stressed on the importance and true meaning of culture and spoke about everything that entails the word “culture” and how it is ever-evolving yet in dire need, now more than ever, to be preserved and taken care of.
“Seeds are important as they’re the stepping stones to life as we know it. After the success of the rice festival a couple of years back, it was imperative to organize such an event where the importance of seeds is discussed” he added.
A school teacher cum ALC farmer from Laitsohpliah, Nestar Kharmawphlang discussed the way seed exchange has shaped cultures over the years and developed the heritage of the ancient people.
Ambious Umsong, a custodian farmer from Khapmaw stressed on how olden methods of farming and seed conservation are going extinct. “Through events like these, farmers will be inspired to plant more local food plants for sale and also be able to simultaneously protect these seeds from further extinction and damage,” she said.
An exchange of seeds amongst community members as well as a display by the ten communities was held. Pius Ranee discussed the importance of preservation and protection of the local knowledge so as to prosper and uphold traditional richness and culture.
Arwanki Mawlong, Knowledge Manager of the CLLMP Project under MBMA said that the main idea was to promote our ecosystem and to have sustainability of resources.
“People can make use of the resources from the environment and through the process, simultaneously reinforce traditional ideas for the future generations.” he said.
