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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Celebrating traditional foods and agriculture practices – Krishi Mela, Salgama, Sundar Pahari
Surja Paharia On 16th December 2024 a Krishi Mela was organized in the Paharia village of Salgama in Bada Paktari Panchayat, Sundar Pahari Block, Godda District, Jharkhand. The Mela celebrated the rich diversity of cultivated, uncultivated and wild foods and traditional agricultural practices of the Paharia people bringing together around 220 people (150 women and […]
Field visits to Kheria Sabar villages of Purulia District, West Bengal
Rohan Mukerjee Alongside Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samiti (PBKSKS) Keystone Foundation has been working with the Kheria Sabar community in Purulia district of West Bengal since 2020. Our work in the region commenced through the Using Diversity (UD) project and subsequently Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in different blocks of the district have been supported […]
Agriculture and Traditional Food Mela – Aksi, Mahuadanr Block, Latehar District, Jharkhand
Manu Deo, Cordula Kujur, Jagabandhu Sanda and Rohan Mukerjee On the 29th of December the residents of the hamlets Aksi and Chetma in Mahuadanr Block, Latehar District, Jharkhand came together to celebrate their rich agricultural heritage and food traditions. Community Resource Persons Sandeep Lakra from Aksi and Sanjita Lakra from Chetma were responsible for organizing […]
Using Diversity and Habitat Rights Annual Networking Workshop
26th to 30th August, 2023, Mysuru, Karnataka A joint Using Diversity (UD) Network and Habitat Rights workshop was organised in Mysuru from 26th to 30th August 2023 with the first 2 days involving a Millet Mela jointly organised by UD partner Sahaja Samrudha and the Using Diversity Network. The event involved over 70 participants from […]
A Spring trek through Saranda Forest
Rohan Mukerjee On an early spring morning in March, I accompanied young Amit Jamuda for a trek through the Darka Daa forest area surrounding Mamar village. Mamar is in the Saranda Forest region in Manoharpur Block of West Singhbhum Block, Jhakrhand. My guide Amit is Keystone’s Community Resource Person Inda Jamuda’s nephew. Amit is pursuing […]