As part of the voluntary organisation Initiatives for Development (IDF)'s 'Sujeevana' project in Tumkur district, efforts are being made to provide good quality seeds to farmers. To meet its objective, the organisation has started a seed bank in the region.
This bank has a collection of over 60 varieties of native paddy strains, and over 30 varieties of ragi. There is a demand for strains such as 'Chinnaponni', 'Doddibatha', 'Andanur Sanna', 'Raichur Sanna', 'Salem Sanna', 'Mutthina Sanna', 'Gowri Sanna', 'Ratnachudi', 'Rajamudi', 'Sidda Sanna' and 'Jade Sanna'. Among ragi varieties, there is a demand for 'Kempu', 'Majjige', 'Bonda', 'Nagamale', 'Picchakaddi', 'Hainu' and 'Malali' strains. Apart from these grains, there are seeds of other vegetables such as ridge gourd, brinjal, etc.
Campaign to collect seeds
The organisation started a 'Beeja Bhikshe' campaign about two years back in the villages to collect strains that are drought and pest-resistant. Also, the organisation has chosen select farmers to take up seed production, so as to conserve these strains. Thanks to these moves, good-quality seeds are available at low cost in villages.
The organisation has started seed banks in major villages. There are as many as 38 seed banks in Kunigal taluk and 15 seed banks in Gubbi taluk.The organisation has also ensured that it provides a platform for farmers to exchange notes on issues of farming and seed production.
SRI method of farming
The group has also encouraged farmers to take up paddy cultivation under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). This method saves water, time, seeds and other resources. A bumper crop of paddy has been grown across 350 acres of land in Kunigal and 50 acres in Gubbi taluk, thanks to the SRI method.
Saving resources
Under the SRI method, a mere two kg of seeds are used as against 25 kg under the normal method. This method also makes weeding easy. The organisation has provided a weeder machine for farmers, saving time and money.
Thanks to the intervention of the organisation, farmers are all working together, helping each other with resources, according to farmer Shankarlinge Gowda of Vinayaka Sujeevana Okkuta of Kunigal taluk. Also for the first time, the SRI method has been used for sugarcane cultivation as well.
The organisation has encouraged farmers to take up organic farming and has helped farmers take up dairy farming as well, apart from helping them with other facilities such as insurance, loans, etc, according to the Managing Director of the organisation,
This bank has a collection of over 60 varieties of native paddy strains, and over 30 varieties of ragi. There is a demand for strains such as 'Chinnaponni', 'Doddibatha', 'Andanur Sanna', 'Raichur Sanna', 'Salem Sanna', 'Mutthina Sanna', 'Gowri Sanna', 'Ratnachudi', 'Rajamudi', 'Sidda Sanna' and 'Jade Sanna'. Among ragi varieties, there is a demand for 'Kempu', 'Majjige', 'Bonda', 'Nagamale', 'Picchakaddi', 'Hainu' and 'Malali' strains. Apart from these grains, there are seeds of other vegetables such as ridge gourd, brinjal, etc.
Campaign to collect seeds
The organisation started a 'Beeja Bhikshe' campaign about two years back in the villages to collect strains that are drought and pest-resistant. Also, the organisation has chosen select farmers to take up seed production, so as to conserve these strains. Thanks to these moves, good-quality seeds are available at low cost in villages.
The organisation has started seed banks in major villages. There are as many as 38 seed banks in Kunigal taluk and 15 seed banks in Gubbi taluk.The organisation has also ensured that it provides a platform for farmers to exchange notes on issues of farming and seed production.
SRI method of farming
The group has also encouraged farmers to take up paddy cultivation under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). This method saves water, time, seeds and other resources. A bumper crop of paddy has been grown across 350 acres of land in Kunigal and 50 acres in Gubbi taluk, thanks to the SRI method.
Saving resources
Under the SRI method, a mere two kg of seeds are used as against 25 kg under the normal method. This method also makes weeding easy. The organisation has provided a weeder machine for farmers, saving time and money.
Thanks to the intervention of the organisation, farmers are all working together, helping each other with resources, according to farmer Shankarlinge Gowda of Vinayaka Sujeevana Okkuta of Kunigal taluk. Also for the first time, the SRI method has been used for sugarcane cultivation as well.
The organisation has encouraged farmers to take up organic farming and has helped farmers take up dairy farming as well, apart from helping them with other facilities such as insurance, loans, etc, according to the Managing Director of the organisation,