Solan February 20
A one-day workshop on Natural Farming-Based Seed Production for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture was organized at the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry on Thursday. The workshop brought together nearly 200 farmers representing Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) from Chamba, Mandi, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Shimla and Solan districts, along with representatives of NGOs engaged in seed conservation initiatives, ICAR NBPGR Shimla and scientists from the university.
Addressing the participants, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel emphasized that seeds are the very foundation of agriculture and the key to ensuring long-term sustainability. Highlighting the importance of seed sovereignty in natural farming, he said that the ownership and control of natural farming seeds must remain with farmers. “Local seeds are gradually disappearing from our homes and communities. We must revive the culture of saving, sharing and conserving them,” he remarked.
Prof. Chandel observed that Himachal Pradesh is fortunate to still have farmers who possess traditional knowledge about indigenous seeds. He called for harnessing this wisdom and systematically conserving native seed varieties for future generations. Describing seed production as a promising livelihood opportunity, he urged FPCs to transform collective knowledge into collective action and develop farmer-led seed enterprises that ensure both sustainability and profitability.
Dr. J.C. Rana, Country Representative of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, highlighted self-dependence in seed production as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. Applauding Himachal Pradesh’s natural farming movement, he said that achieving self-reliance in seed systems would require strong collaboration between public institutions, private stakeholders and farming communities. He stressed that maintaining quality standards and discipline would be essential to compete in wider markets. Dr. Rana also called for improved packaging and value addition of locally produced food products and encouraged the university to support such initiatives.
Dr. Rana elaborated on the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative (HAI), which aims to strengthen food systems resilience in the Himalayan region. He shared the HAI Roadmaps are expected to help inform the thinking and action of high-level decision makers and key influential actors while enabling local stakeholders to engage in food policy processes and achieve more impact in strengthening agroecology policy environments. He further informed about its seven strategic pillars, emphasizing farmer-centric, climate-resilient and ecologically grounded transitions. According to him, the roadmap will guide high-level policymakers and key stakeholders while enabling local communities to engage meaningfully in food policy processes and enhance the impact of agroecological practices.
Padma Shri awardee progressive farmer Nek Ram Sharma underscored the importance of conserving seeds suited to local agro-climatic conditions. He noted that many agricultural challenges arise from ignoring environmental compatibility and emphasized the need to promote region-specific indigenous varieties that are naturally resilient.
Dr. Inder Dev, Director of Extension Education, said that the initiative builds upon earlier natural farming efforts undertaken under the Agroecological Crop Protection Towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project implemented at the university. Speaking about the initiative funded by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Workshop Coordinator Dr. Sudhir Verma informed that the primary objective is to scale up natural farming-based seed production through FPCs across Himachal Pradesh. The project focuses on conserving native seed diversity, reducing dependence on external inputs and developing farmer-led seed production and distribution systems.
The implementation strategy promotes decentralized governance through FPCs. Community-managed seed banks are being established within selected FPCs and supported with low-cost, climate-resilient storage infrastructure. Traditional seed preservation practices such as storing seeds in mud pots, kothars and bins will be revived and upgraded with improved ventilation and systematic labelling to maintain viability throughout the year. The project also includes documentation of indigenous and endangered varieties, training programmes on natural seed treatments such as Beejamrit, and revival of traditional seed-saving knowledge through participatory approaches. Demonstration plots and diversity blocks will showcase local landraces, while seed exchange programmes will promote farmer-to-farmer learning and community participation.
During the workshop, several expert sessions were conducted to share insights on agroecology and community-led seed systems. Dr. J.C. Rana spoke on the HAI and its roadmap for strengthening farmer-centric, climate-resilient food systems. Ashish Gupta from Gram Disha Trust discussed community-managed seed systems, while Anoop Kumar from Pahad Trust shared field experiences on farmer-centric natural farming models. Dr. Subhash Verma highlighted the principles of natural farming and their implications for seed biology and vigour. The FPCs also displayed a rich collection of indigenous seed varieties being conserved and promoted, and progressive farmers engaged in seed conservation were honoured on the occasion.
Economically, the initiative aims to ensure the local availability of climate-resilient seeds at affordable prices, reduce dependence on expensive hybrids and enhance farm profitability through resilient indigenous crops. Environmentally, it will revive agro-biodiversity, reduce chemical usage and lower the carbon footprint, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience. Socially, the project is expected to generate livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth and women, while empowering traditional knowledge holders within communities.
