Using Diversity Annual Meet 2025 – Karjat, Raigad District, Maharashtra
Ramachandran K G and Saneesh P –Community Wellbeing The Annual Meet on Using Diversity 2025 was successfully conducted at Karjat, Raigad district, Maharashtra, from 16th to 18th February 2025. Participants from 5 southern states of India, namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, attended this three-day meeting. First day The program commenced with a traditional […]
Learning & Sharing Meeting with Nagarahole Tribal Community
Date: 25th August 2025 Organized by: Keystone Foundation & Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) Venue: Nagarahole Tribal Hamlet Area, H.D. Kote, Mysuru. On August 25, 2025, the Keystone Foundation, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), organized a Learning and Sharing Meeting with the tribal communities living around the Nagarahole landscape. The objective […]
Sowing the Future – Organic Seed Production and Marketing for a Resilient Agriculture
Introduction The future of food lies in the seed — and the hands that nurture it. As climate change threatens crop resilience, the importance of organic, locally adapted seeds is more urgent than ever. On May 15, 2025, a dedicated session on organic seed production and marketing brought together experts, practitioners, and institutions to share […]
Guardians of Diversity – Seed Savers and Community Seed Banks
By Komal, U.D. Field Coordinator Introduction In a world grappling with declining agricultural biodiversity and climate uncertainty, seed saving has emerged as a quiet yet revolutionary movement. Across Karnataka, dedicated farmers and community leaders are reviving traditional seed varieties, preserving food sovereignty, and creating sustainable systems for the future. This blog brings together experiences shared […]
Youth Leadership Camp ‘Reejh Rang’ in Orsa Pat, Latehar
By Prema Tigga – Community Wellbeing Eastern India Introduction to the Camp‘Reejh Rang’, a one-day youth leadership camp, was successfully organized on 3rd June 2025 at St. Mary’s Middle School in Chiropath, Orsa Panchayat. Over 132 children and youths from villages including Potmadih, Ambakona, Chetma, Surkai, Orsa, Nawatoli, Chiropath, Jarsidih, Basdih, and Chirchiri participated, with the number rising […]
DESI SEED FESTIVAL – 14-15 JUNE – BANGALORE
By Ramachandran KG, Komalkumar–Community Wellbeing, Mahadesha B– Biodiversity Conservation A two-day Desi Seed Festival was held on 14th and 15th June 2025 at the Institution of Agricultural Technologists campus, Queens Road, Bangalore. It was organized by the Institute of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) in collaboration with Sahaja Samrudha Organic Farmers’ Collective, Crops4HD, Keystone Foundation (Using Diversity), and other organizations. […]
Eastern India Regional Workshop on Sustainable Agriculture and Management of Natural Resources
By Rohan Mukerjee,Community Wellbeing Hatnada, Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Jharkhand 24th and 25th April 2025 As the monsoon and Rainfed Agriculture season approach, Keystone Foundation’s Eastern India initiative held a two-day workshop and planning meeting in Hatnada village, Seraikela Block, Jharkhand—an ideal time to engage with the community despite the midday heat.In the forests of the area, Kurchi was abloom with […]
Celebrating the Jackfruit: A Two-Day Festival in Mysore
By Komal,U.D Field Coordinator Mysore, May 3–4, 2025 — The aroma of jackfruit filled the air at Nanjanraj Bahadur Chhatra as farmers, consumers, and enthusiasts gathered for a vibrant two-day Jackfruit Festival, jointly organized by Sahaja Samrudha and Rotary Club Mysore West. From Disregarded to Revered: Jackfruit in the Spotlight “In the past, people turned […]
Reviving Agriculture Practices and Promoting Forest Protection in Lapaibera, Jharkhand
By Rohan Mukerjee, Budheswar Mahato and Jagabandhu Sanda,Community wellbeing Located in the lush Sal forests of Chandil Block, Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Jharkhand is the Lapaibera village. Lapabeira comprises of 6 hamlets, home to Adivasi and OBC communities. Since 2023, we have been working in the main hamlet of Lapaibera, which comprises 25 households of the Santal […]
Agriculture Diversity Sample Plots in Thirunelly Grama Panchayath (Using Diversity)
By Ramachandran K.G., Programme Coordinator, Community Wellbeing Promotion and conservation of agriculture diversities is one of the primary objectives of Using Diversity project interventions. The project supports the expansion of crop diversities with local tribal farming communities across all intervention areas. 4 such sample diversity plots are being developed in Thirunelly Grama Panchayat, with 2 […]