Source: DTE
The Bihan Mela, or seed festival, has been initiated by the non-profit Nirman in the Nayagarh district of Odisha to help tribal Kondh farmers return to their traditional ways of farming, including mixed-cropping.
Working: The festival involves the exchange of indigenous seeds and serves as a platform for farmers to collect, store and share their native varieties of crops. The non-profit also set up a seed bank in Raisar village to facilitate access to indigenous seeds.
Aim: The Bihan Mela and seed bank aim to address the issue of crop failures caused by erratic rainfall and pest attacks, and to restore food and nutritional security to the region’s farmers.
Usage: The example can be used in Agriculture questions, questions related to Farmers’ Rights in the PPV&FR Act, 2001
