16/06/2015

Real yield improvements in rice and wheat agriculture, development of  resilient  crop varieties, extensive conservation of such varieties on-farm and in local seed banks – these are some of the outcomes of the Seeds for life – project in northern India supported by the Benefit-sharing Fund of the International Treaty. 30 rice varieties and 26 wheat varieties that are high-yielding and have good resistance to pests and diseases have been identified and have been stored in 7 community seed banks established under the project.

Thousands of rice- and wheat- growing farmers have benefited from this project, which was led by Humana People to People India (http://www.humana-india.org/) in collaboration with Bioversity International (http://www.bioversityinternational.org/).

Agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic plains has historically provided a major basis for human settlements and civilizations in northern India. Today Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, and more than 70 percent of its 200 million people still depend upon agriculture.

Many farmers in this region are caught in a vicious circle of having to produce more food for an increasing population, while also facing challenging environmental conditions - including climate change. Heavy dependence on a few commercial rice varieties and over-use of chemical fertilizers can further increase vulnerability of these communities and threaten livelihoods as well as food security.

"Seeds for life" worked with farming communities in 50 villages in Uttar Pradesh to address these challenges and increase capacities of farmers to improve their own situation. New crops as well as more varieties of rice and wheat were introduced and tested. New methods of cultivation were introduced, including more efficient watering methods and criteria for planting, leading to better growing conditions and increased yields. On-farm conservation practices were developed and community seed banks established.

All activities took place within the frameworks of Farmers’ Clubs and women’s Self Help Groups. Field trials and training sessions were organized through Farmers’ Field Schools, farmers’ fairs etc. Half of the farmers adopted improved cultivation practices (see http://www.sri-india.net/html/aboutsri.html). In addition to increased yields and resilience for rice and wheat, some farmers also started to grow new crops (Amaranth, Moringa and Quinoa) , resulting in a more diverse production as well as improved nutrition.  

More than 4500 farmers as well as scientists and civil servants participated directly in these activities, the number of indirect beneficiaries is likely to be much higher (roughly 70.000). In the long term, given the vulnerability of the Indo-Gangetic plain to climate change and other threats to food security, this project could be an important contribution towards more resilient food production in one of the world’s most important areas for rice and wheat.