Ahmedabad, July 1:
About 500-odd organic farmers in Gujarat are trying to
develop individual seed banks in a bid to resist the onslaught of
genetically modified seeds.
“The farmers are now
developing seed bank as a measure against the invasion of genetically
modified (GM) seeds,” the Organic Farming Association of India
President, Sarvdaman Patel, said.
The biggest
advantage of developing seed banks is reduced cost. A bank of organic
seeds will not only ensure reduced cost, but also assure good yield and
above all good health to people, said Patel, who owns an organic farm in
central Gujarat’s Anand district.
“10 grams tomato
seed, for example, costs Rs 400 in the market. But every few months, a
new company emerges in the market with a new, costly hybrid seed, which
may guarantee better yield but not in the longer run,” he said.
As
and when the farmers succeed in developing the seed bank, they will be
taught to store and preserve it in bottles, shelf or any dark place.
“Once
they develop seed banks, we have assured them of educating them how to
store and utilise these seeds through workshops and seminars across the
country,” he said.
However, developing seed banks will take time as it involves several selection trials to identify a good quality seed.
“Sometimes
it takes two to three years in selection trials, and once the selection
trials are over, only then can a quality seed be developed,” Patel
said.
Source: http://to.ly/maID
