By Hiralal Gaund
On the 21st and 22nd of June 2019 through a Beej Yatra or seed distribution drive, seeds of a variety of traditional crops of the Baigas were distributed to105 Baiga farmer families across the villages of Baigachak, Dindori District, MP.
The Beej Yatra was brought out by members of the Baiga Mahapanchayat (Baigachak) and the Community Seed Bank Committee. Through the seed distribution drive a variety of traditional millets, pulses, beans and vegetable seeds which have been vanishing from the area were distributed to Baiga farmer families.
The seeds distributed included 4 varieties of Kang, 3 varieties of Madia, 2 varieties of Rahar, 2 varieties of Salhar, Bade Dongar Kutki, Jhunjru and Bedra. The Beej Yatra commenced at Tantar village and wound its way through Behi Dadar, Tikli Khera, Silpidi, Bijli Dadar, Salaidabra villages ending at Kandawani village.
In each village that the seed distribution drive covered the members of the Community Seed Bank committee and the Baiga Mahapanchayat initiated discussions with the villagers on the importance of traditional crops, reasons for their decline and strategies for jointly coming together to promote the revival of this rich diversity of traditional seeds.
