Seed Savers
Sahaja Samrudha has established India’s first farmer owned organic seed company ‘Desi Seed Producers Company Ltd’. SAHAJA SEEDS is a farmer –owned brand that produces high quality, organically grown, traditional, open pollinated, public domain vegetable and food crop seeds.
Our mission is to make the farmer independent, grow using sustainable agricultural practices, starting with the seed, where it all begins. We don’t use genetic modification, irradiation, sewage sludge or synthetic agrochemicals that are allowed in non-organic system that has wreaked havoc on people, planet and our economy. Our seed is open-pollinated which means that saved seed will breed true type and our farmers have direct access and control of their seed supply.
Our seed producers are located across different agro-climatic regions collectively produce regionally adaptable varieties conserved by farmers for its flavor, taste, color, adaptability and health benefits, that are unparalleled for over generations.
'We seek to bring back the tradition of seed saving amongst us by collecting, propagating, and exchanging indigenous and rare varieties. We seek sustainable living and a more self-reliant lifestyle"
Organically Grown
Our farms are Certified Organic, adhering to NPOP- Indian Organic standards for the production of organic seed. Our mission is to grow using sustainable agricultural practices, starting with the seed, where it all begins. We nurture our crops by building rich, healthy soil that encourages all beneficial organisms. We don’t use genetic modification, irradiation, sewage sludge or synthetic agrochemicals that are allowed in non-organic system that has wreaked havoc on people, planet and our economy.
Open Pollinated
Our seed is open pollinated (OP), which means that saved seed will breed true to type and our farmers have direct access and control of their seed supply. In contrast, F-1 hybrids and GMO varieties are impossible for farmers to reproduce, leaving them dependent on seed companies for new seed. OP varieties are reproduced through natural pollination via wind or insects.
Organically Grown
Our farms are Certified Organic, adhering to NPOP- Indian Organic standards for the production of organic seed. Our mission is to grow using sustainable agricultural practices, starting with the seed, where it all begins. We nurture our crops by building rich, healthy soil that encourages all beneficial organisms. We don’t use genetic modification, irradiation, sewage sludge or synthetic agrochemicals that are allowed in non-organic system that has wreaked havoc on people, planet and our economy.
Establishing seed savers network
The concept of traditional seed conservation and conservation of good seeds is very important for agriculture and food security, recognizing the need Sahaja Samrudha initiated the concept of seed conservation and now there have been formation of regional network of seed savers at every state and also there is a National Seed Savers Network. Seed savers networks are established in odhisha, Karnataka, Kerala , Maharastra ,West Bengal,Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. The seed conservation is catching up with many other states and organisations.
National and regional Seed festivals are organized at Ahemdabad, Mysore, Coimbatore, Malangi, Hanumanhalli and Maysandra. The international Seed Festival was a parallel event during the 19 Organic World Congress (OWC) organized by SS in association with BBSM,OFAI and IFOAM. It was a mega event that brought in 65 seed saver groups from 15 state of India, practicing on-farm conservation. Over 4000 different vaireities of seeds were on display.
Some of our Seed Savers across Karnataka
Nagappa
Makari, Hirekeruru Taluk, Haveri
Power of millets – He has grown 31 varieties of millets; that too on only two acres of land!
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Syed Ghani Khan
Kirugavalu, Mandya
The real seed man – He is conserving 567 varieties of rice, 36 varieties of millets, 143 varieties of rare mango trees and having a seed museum at his home.
Awards to Ghani – Krushi Pandit-2010, Biodiversity
Reviving the lost legacy
Reviving the Lost Legacy of Rice Biodiversity
Mukappa Pujar
Chinnikatte, Haveri
Guli ragi expert – Senior farmer consultant who has expertised guli ragi cultivation method that gives 4 times higher yield.
Eshwarappa Banakar
Hireyadachi, Hirekeruru, Haveri
Puttraju
Byloor, Kollegal taluk, Chamrajnagar District
Anjaneya
Kumblur, Harihara taluk, Davanagere District
Hanchayalappa
Koppala District
Brinjal Lover– Hanchayalappa is conserving 22 varieties of brinjal in his farm. He is a pioneer farmer who has a good knowledge in seed production of vegetables. His personal collection exceeds over hundred different varieties of vegetables and herb seeds.
