Seeds, though ranging from a few millimetres to a couple of inches in size, behold the promise of food, health, nutrition and life. High yielding, resilient, nutritious seeds are wealth of a farmer which make him self- dependent. Such high quality seeds are an asset for the nation, for they ensure health for people and progress for the economy.
However, the so- called Green Revolution came with a promise of high yields, better health and more profits but what it realized was exactly opposite. Enticed by hybrid seeds, the farmers willingly gave up their traditional wealth of indigenous seeds subsequently becoming dependent on hybrid seed companies. With this shift, health of humanity was put at stake, chemical intensive farming for getting produce out of these seeds have given rise to new and inexplicable health disorders in men, women and children. Lauded for bumper crops in the beginning, over years Green Revolution has slowed down the agrarian economy with rising land degradation and growing dependence on scientific labs for better seeds.
Reviving the lost wealth of indigenous seeds is the only way to turn the situation the other way around. These indigenous seeds were carved in Nature’s own grand lab after several trials over millions of years. They are best adjusted to the local conditions and are enriched with optimal nutrient content.
To make agriculture sustainable, DJJS Hitkari Kheti is actively working on revival, conservation and promotion of Desi (Indian) Seeds. We started with wheat. After intense search across the country, we procured seeds of 14 desi varieties. Each of these 14 varieties was first tested in labs to confirm if they were purely indigenous. Further they were grown in nursery under close observation and their characteristics like pod size, number of grains, total duration of growth, nutrient profile etc. were studied and of the 14 varieties three best varieties locally named as Bansi, Chawal ka Atta & Kudrat Gajanan were selected. These three varieties are being grown year after year at Hitkari farms. The nutrient profile of these grains indicates that the nutritive value of these indigenous varieties is high enough to fulfil the fundamental nutrient requirements of an individual. With the development of our own desi seeds, DJJS Hitkari Kheti has now transformed into Seed distribution centre. To promote the conservation of desi seeds, we actively share these desi wheat varieties with local farmers. Not just wheat, we are actively engaged in reviving high quality desi seeds of rice and vegetables also.
