[Answered] The erosion of traditional seed diversity poses a significant threat to India’s agricultural sustainability and food security. Critically examine the factors contributing to this erosion and suggest comprehensive strategies for the conservation and promotion of traditional seed varieties, ensuring the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and preserving the nation’s agro-biodiversity.

Introduction

India, historically known as the “cradle of agriculture,” has nurtured diverse traditional seed varieties suited to distinct agro-climatic zones. However, the rapid erosion of this diversity now threatens not only agricultural sustainability but also food and nutritional security, especially for smallholder farmers who constitute 85% of India’s farming population.

Factors Contributing to Seed Diversity Erosion

1. Green Revolution & HYVs: The introduction of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) during the Green Revolution marginalized indigenous seeds, particularly in rice and wheat belts.
2. Corporate Seed Monopoly: Seed privatization and reliance on patented hybrids and GM seeds have displaced farmer-saved and open-pollinated seeds.
3. Lack of Institutional Support: Agricultural research and extension services overwhelmingly promote modern varieties over traditional ones.
4. Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns impact the viability of local seed strains, while adaptation research favors lab-bred resilience over indigenous evolution.
5. Loss of Traditional Knowledge: Decline in community seed-sharing practices and oral transmission of agronomic knowledge.
6. Market-driven monoculture: Commercialization promotes uniform, marketable crops over locally adapted, nutritionally diverse traditional varieties.

Implications

• Agro-biodiversity loss undermines ecological resilience.
• Increases input dependency (chemical fertilizers, water, pesticides).
• Marginalizes small farmers economically and ecologically.
• Threatens food sovereignty and local dietary diversity.

Comprehensive Strategies for Conservation and Promotion

1. Community Seed Banks: Encourage local seed banks like Navdanya to preserve and propagate traditional varieties.
2. Agro-Ecological Policies: Promote Natural Farming, Zero Budget Farming, and Millet Missions as platforms for indigenous seeds.
3. Incentivize Farmers: Provide MSP or bonus for traditional crops to make them market-competitive.
4. Research & Education: Invest in participatory research and integrate traditional seed knowledge into agricultural curricula.
5. Legal Protection: Strengthen The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFR Act, 2001) to recognize and reward traditional seed conservers.
6. Public Awareness Campaigns: Celebrate seed diversity through festivals, exhibitions, and Geographical Indications (GI) tags.

Conclusion

Reviving traditional seed diversity is not just about preserving the past but securing the future. A synergy of policy, community action, and ecological wisdom is essential to restore India’s seed sovereignty, protect rural livelihoods, and ensure resilient food systems for India@2047.