Community Seed Bank exchange visit at Mulum

On the 29th of March, 2022, NESFAS organised a Community Seed Bank Exchange Visit in partnership with Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE) and Social Service Centre (SSC) which was graciously hosted by Mulum community, West Jaintia Hills. The event brought together 10 communities from the East Khasi Hills, Jaintia 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. It saw the participation of farmers, seed keepers, who are ALC members of the project.

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 exchange 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. In his welcome address, Bah H.H. Mohrmen, Chairperson, NESFAS, stressed the importance and true meaning of culture in our lives, he 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. He shared, “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 further added.

A school teacher cum ALC farmer from Laitsohpliah, Bah Nestar Kharmawphlang discussed with the attendees the way seed exchange has shaped cultures over the years and developed the heritage of the ancient people. Through this seed exchange programme, the attendees saw a whole new variety of seeds, in contrast to the seeds they see only within their areas; they were also educated on new systems of farming as a result which gave rise to newfound optimism and enthusiasm within them.

Kong Ambious Umsong, a custodian farmer from Khapmaw, brought about some very pertinent points in her speech where she stressed on the fact that most olden methods of farming and seed conservation are going extinct. She expressed, “Through events like this, 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.”

Kong Bibiana Ranee’s view was that the main aim of the seed exchange is to march forward and cultivate traditional food. In her speech, she thanked NESFAS and urged the farmers to become one tight-knit and strong community.

Post this; there was an exchange of seeds amongst community members as well as a display by the ten communities. Bah Pius Ranee discussed the importance of preservation and protection of the local knowledge so as to prosper and uphold traditional richness and culture. He shared, “I want all farmers to prosper furthermore and to be skilful in order to bring this policy forward ahead and that the government will look more into strengthening traditional farming”.

In the closing, Bah Arwanki Mawlong, Assistant Manager of the CLLMP Project under MBMA, addressed 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 concluded.