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Beej Utsav: Tribal Seed Festival and Seed Sovereignty

24 June 20251 min read
AGRICULTURE & RURALBeej Utsav: TribalSeed Festival andSeed Sovereignty24 June 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

A tribal seed festival highlighted why native seeds matter for sustainable farming, culture and biodiversity.

Key facts

  • Activities: Beej Samvad (seed dialogues), biodiversity fairs, seed ball making, plantation drives.
  • Honours: Beej Mitra (Seed Friend) and Beej Mata (Seed Mother).
  • Co-organisers: Krishi Evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, Gram Swaraj Samooh, Saksham Samooh, Bal Swaraj Samooh.
  • Supporter: Vaagdhara, working on tribal livelihoods and agroecology.

Message

  • Vaagdhara Secretary Jayesh Joshi called seeds symbols of identity, nutrition, culture and climate resilience.
  • Nearly 70% of small farmers depend on market-driven hybrid seeds; he urged community-led seed systems against rising costs and chemical dependence.
  • Theme: ‘Return to the roots’.

Exam angle

  • Titles: Beej Mitra, Beej Mata.

Test yourself

1. Which title was given at Beej Utsav to farmers who preserve traditional seed varieties, apart from 'Beej Mata'?

Seed keepers were honoured as Beej Mitra (Seed Friend) and Beej Mata (Seed Mother).

2. Which Banswara-based voluntary organisation supported the Beej Utsav seed festival?

Vaagdhara, working on tribal livelihoods and agroecology, supported the festival.

3. Beej Utsav was held in the tribal tri-junction of which three states?

The festival took place at the Rajasthan, MP and Gujarat tri-junction.