Community Seed Bank inaugurated, workshop on 'Ecological Restoration and Climate Resilience' conducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Kakching, April 08 2024: A community Seed Bank was inaugurated on April 6 last at Umathel, Kakching Khunou Under "The Maru Project" marking the initial stride towards fostering a resourceful and resilient community.

The Project is a collaborative endeavour of Happy In Khol and Midas Touch, marking the initial stride towards fostering a resourceful and resilient community, said a press note by Happy In Khol president Along with the inauguration of the Community Seed Bank (CSB), a two-day workshop was conducted on April 6 and 7, 2024, on the establishment of CSB based on the theme 'Ecological Restoration and Climate Resilience'.

During the workshop, resource persons stressed on the significance of the 'act of planting and cultivation of local seeds in the process of saving one's indigenous seeds from disappearing' .

The workshop was supported by Henry Martyn Institute (HMI) Hyderabad, International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relation and Reconciliation.

The first day of the workshop was led by Sagolsem Sumangol Singh Retd SMS Plant Breeding and Genetics; Potshangbam Devakanta; Yumnam Ranjit and Sapam Lukhoi who are pioneers and have been seed guardians for many years.

The workshop was followed by activities such as film screenings on related issues along with (Khulang esei) a traditional folk song, based on planting paddy was presented by the women folk of Umathel.

Over the two days, the technical sessions of the workshop deliberated on seed and its importance, challenges and way forward to efficient ways of community seed banking, approaches for more efficient ways of promoting the indigenous seeds.

The workshop ended with exchange of seeds amongst the participants and the distribution of seeds from the Community Seed Bank.

Around 30 participants from different walks of life, farmers, students, professional consultants, academic associations and environmental NGOs attended the workshop.

It may be noted that the workshop is centered on 'Seed saving and Sharing of Collective Knowledge' so as to address the imperative of conserving plant genetic diversity, the necessity for local food security and enhancing community resilience through grassroot initiatives.

The workshops aimed to underscore the significance of seed preservation and the practice of seed storage.

The establishment of the seed bank stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication to collaborating with farmers and individuals who embody profound cultural, ecological and traditional wisdom.

It is worth noting that Midas Touch is an environmental conservation organization established in 2009 and works in partnership with the community towards sustainability challenges by empowering people to live a respectable, sustainable life using nature's assets while protecting them.

While Happy In Khol is a social enterprise, working on small-scale, holistic and energy efficient projects that are intensively contributing to regeneration of the earth.

The enterprise focuses on waste management, innovation and value addition of aromatic herbs and agro products, said the press note.

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