Bah Phranstar Shabong, a traditional knowledge holder and custodian farmer from Mynriah village, East Khasi Hills, is someone who still practices a unique traditional method of sowing and harvesting based on the moon cycle. He observes the various cyclic moon phases from a Khasi calendar Almanac (an annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information).
Under the aegis of IFAD and the support of Govt. of Canada, TIP developed a digital toolbox on Sustainable and Resilient Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems for Improved Nutrition, which was launched at the online Side event of the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 21st session on May 4, 2022.
NESFAS along with Mawhiang community organised an Agrobiodiversity (ABD) Walk on April 14, 2022 with the Agroecology Learning Circle (ALC) members and school children. ABD Walk is one of our core tools that helps in intergenerational knowledge exchange, and at the same time, raises awareness about the diversity of local food plants and the richness of Mother Earth.
Currently, 75 percent of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species despite around 250,000 to 300,000 known edible plant species in the world and 150 to 200 species already being used by humans for food.
The community seed bank (CSB) in Madanrtiang, Ri-Bhoi District, was set up in 2021, led by the members of the Agroecology Learning Circle (ALC). It was facilitated by NESFAS with the support of REC under the ‘No one shall be left behind initiative’ project, to safeguard and preserve indigenous seeds, promote seed exchange among communities and encourage sustainable use of local varieties of seeds.
In light of the much progress that has been made in the sector of agriculture, traditional methods of farming are rapidly being replaced with the conventional methods of crop production. The Green Revolution (GR), powered by excessive use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides turned India into one of the world’s leading agricultural nations.