India must protect its disappearing traditional seeds

Source: The post India must protect its disappearing traditional seeds has been created, based on the article “Saving traditional varieties of seeds” published in “The Hindu” on 14 April 2025. India must protect its disappearing traditional seeds.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Agriculture

Context: India is witnessing the steady disappearance of its traditional seed varieties. These are being replaced by hybrid crops like wheat and rice. This shift is caused by farming practices, policies, and market preferences. It is happening at a time when biodiversity and climate resilience are more important than ever. The article explores the causes and solutions to this urgent problem.

For detailed information on Pillars for development of Indian Agriculture read this article here

Reasons for Disappearing Traditional Seeds

1. Market Demand and Consumer Preferences: Most consumers prefer high-yield crops such as wheat and rice. These dominate supermarket shelves and government food schemes. Traditional grains like millets, pulses, and indigenous rice are ignored. As demand falls, farmers stop growing them.
2. Weak Seed Conservation System: Hybrid seeds are mass-produced and sold. Traditional seeds depend on community sharing and local conservation. India lacks well-funded and accessible seed banks to protect them.
3. Policy Focus on High-Yield Varieties: For decades, government policies have promoted high-yield crops to boost food security. This led to reduced biodiversity and lower nutritional value. Though initiatives like the Odisha Millet Mission are trying to help, most subsidies and procurement systems still favour a narrow range of crops.
4. R&D Neglect of Biodiversity: Research and development mostly focus on increasing yields of a few crops. There is little effort to improve or conserve climate-resilient traditional varieties. This limits the ability to respond to climate risks.

Conservation and Revival Efforts

1. Role of Civil Society Organisations: Groups like MSSRF’s Tribal Agrobiodiversity Centre have been preserving indigenous crops for over 30 years. A recent national consultation in Odisha created a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive seed systems.
2. Participatory Plant Breeding: Farmers should be partners in breeding programmes. Working with scientists, they can enhance traditional seeds while keeping their resilience and cultural value.
3. Strengthening Community Seed Banks: India must build a wide network of local seed banks. These should be well-funded and easily accessible to help farmers conserve valuable varieties.

Policy and Market Interventions Needed

1. Financial and Institutional Support: The government must support processing, marketing, and cultivation of traditional crops. Expanding Minimum Support Prices and including these crops in schools, hospitals, and ration shops will encourage their growth.
2. Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Changing food habits is key. Campaigns must promote the health and environmental benefits of traditional foods. Rising demand will drive production.

Conclusion

India can build a food system that is productive, sustainable, and resilient. This requires joint national efforts, farmer support, seed conservation, and public awareness. Traditional seeds are vital for India’s future.

Question for practice:

Discuss why traditional seed varieties are disappearing in India and what steps can be taken to conserve them.