Heeralal Sarote
Sawa Salhar Sanghati Beej Bhandar Samiti Silpidi is the first community seed bank committee formed by NIRMAN (UD network partner) and has been instrumental in promoting the revival of Bewar, the traditional shifting cultivation based agricultural practice of the Baiga people, and the variety of traditional crops associated with this practice. This committee was formed in 2018 and comprises of 15 women with Gawalin Bai as the President and Lahari Bai as the Secretary. In 2021 the Community Seed Bank committee facilitated the cultivation of Mandia (Finger Millet), Salhar (a variety of Pearl Millet) and Bajra (Pearl millet) in 3 model plots and the farmers returned around 6 Kilograms of seeds to the seed bank. Currently the seed bank and over 8 different seed varieties that include – Bhursa and Katki Kang (varieties of Foxtail millet), Dongar and Kali Kutki (varieties of little millet), Salhar (a variety of Pearl Millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), Kodo (Kodo millet), Lal and Chawal Madia (varieties of finger millet).
On the 19th of February 2022 a capacity building cum training program was conducted with the members of Silpidi community seed bank committee. The committee members shared their experiences and challenges with respect to managing the seed bank and inputs on different aspects of seed storage and managing seed banks were provided.
