Sri Sri Beejkosh (Seed Bank)
Sri Sri Beejkosh (Seed Bank) (Protect indigenous, time tested seeds)
is indigenous seed / desi seed:
Seed is nano part of a plant which is formed by five natural elements ( panch maha bhootas). The seeds are not as yet artificially manufactured. The indigenous seeds have the capacity to give good
yields and have capacity to resist, the drought, the pest and diseases.
what are the characteristics of indigenous seeds:
- Natures gift and cannot be
artificially produced.
- They are location specific and highly adaptable to local conditions.
- Naturally resistant to pest and diseases.
- Drought tolerant .
- Better taste with higher nutritive value.
- Pleasant aroma and flavor with good keeping quality.
- The growth pattern of indigenous varieties is observed to be good for mixed
farming practice.
- Easy availability and accessibility.
- Indigenous crops provide more fodder which meets the nutritional
requirement of livestock.
how to promote the use of indigenous seeds:
- Each farmer has to identify the best quality local/ desi seeds available in
his village and also in other neighboring villages.
- Collect such seeds and store by using neem leaves.
Observations to be recorded
- Name of the Crop.
- Local name of the seed.
- Size of the seed
- Colour of the seed:
- Soil requirement
- Resistance to pest:
a) Less b) Medium c) High
- Maturity :
a) Early b) Late
- Yield per acre (in quintals):
- Fodder yield per acre (in quintals)
- Any special attributes:
- Market demand :
a) High b) Medium c) Less
how to multiply and maintain the desi seeds ?
- Before sowing the seeds select good pure seed which are bold, bright
and disease free.
- Treat the seeds with “Beejamrut” and then sow in the field.
- Remove off type plants (which does not conform to the main crop and is
a mixture of some other crop) from the main crop every after one month.
- Select healthy, strong, thick stemmed, disease free plants and having
good panicle/ cob growth with good grain filling.
- Tag such plants with colored ribbons.
- Harvest such selected plants separately.
- Keep the seeds separately and dry them properly (use neem leaves for
storage) so that the seeds do not get damaged by insect and pests.
- Use these seeds for next generation and follow the above steps for
producing best quality seeds every year which is better than any hybrid
or Genetically Modified seeds .
kind of seeds to be produced
The seeds of vegetables, cereals, pulses, oilseeds can be produced which are
locally popular and established. The seeds should be cleaned, graded and sold at a
reasonable price to the farmers under the label of Sri Sri Beej Kosh.
creating awareness on desi beej production
- Identify the genuine seed growers .
- Train them on quality seed production methods of desi seeds.
- Conduct “Seed Mahotsav” in the villages.
- Plan for a “ seed Production Programme”
- Conduct training for women/men on the post harvest management of
such seeds so as to prevent infestation by pest and diseases.
- Organize field day for the farmers to showcase the performance of desi
seed.
- Sun dry the seeds and store them properly in suitable containers.
- Conduct groups discussion once in a month with seed growers and
document the observations and submit the report to SSIAST, Bangalore.
how to conduct germination test
- Take one hundred seeds.
- Keep these 100 seeds in line on a water soaked gunny/cotton cloth for
about 5-7 days.
- Keep sprinkling little quantity of water on the gunny bag to maintain
optimum moisture level for facilitating germination
- Count the number of germinated seeds after the stipulated period and
work out the percentage of germination.
- It is desirable to have more than 90% germination.
- If the germination percentage is less than 90% then clean the seeds, remove
abnormal seeds and again, put the seeds for germination as described
above.
- Use and Distribute the seeds which have more than 90% germination.
what is expected from the farmer:
After getting the seeds from Sri Sri Beej Kosh production farm, the farmer should
maintain the purity and quality of seed by following above procedure and use the
seeds for his future crop production. He need not to purchase seeds every time. He
himself should maintain his own seed bank.
Differences between Genetically Modified Seeds & Indigenous Seeds
GM SEEDS |
INDIGENOUS SEEDS |
Expensive |
Not Expensive |
Farmers looses ownership on seeds |
Self Reliant |
Unsafe for consumption |
Safe for consumption |
Artificially Made |
Evolved Naturally |
Environmentally Unsafe |
Safe from ecological consideration |
Facts about Indigenous seeds
- Farmer is a rightful owner of the seeds
- Farmer is plant breeder.
- Desi seeds are well suited to local agro climatic situations
- Desi seeds are resistant to drought, pest and disease.
- Can be produces by farmers themselves on their own farm
Action to be taken by the farmer
- Each village will have desi beej kosh.
- Adopt selection method of breeding.
- Do not purchase seeds from market.
- Do not use hybrid and GMO seeds.