Nagpur's Beejotsav 2025 promotes sustainable farming practices

Nagpur hosted the 12th edition of Beejotsav on Thursday, where themes of sustainable farming and seed preservation took center stage. Renowned agricultural expert Padma Shri Subhash Sharma opened the event with a call to learn from nature, which has supported fertile land for thousands of years without human help. Sharma listed four major issues facing humanity: climate change, poor soil health, decreasing groundwater, and the imbalance of nature. He urged a significant change in farming practices, encouraging farmers and policymakers to rethink their strategies. "Seeds are life itself," he stressed, advocating for a seamless relationship between soil, water, and nature to ensure a sustainable future. Dr. Ajaysingh Rajput, from the Regional Centre for Organic and Natural Farming, discussed his goal of collaborating closely with farmers in Nagpur. He highlighted successful seed conservation efforts in the Northeast of India and encouraged attendees to protect biodiversity actively. Consumer activism's role in agricultural change was emphasized by Sridevi Laxmikootty, co-founder of Bio Basics. She stated that governments often heed consumer demands more than farmers' requests, calling on urban consumers to support organic and traditional products to aid seed conservation. Veteran advocate Vasant Futane pointed out the dangers of misinformation within farming communities. He urged for a system that provides accurate information to farmers in accessible language. The event celebrated seed conservators nationwide, acknowledging their hard work in maintaining indigenous crop varieties. Following lunch, Sanjay Patil from BAIF highlighted the crucial need for seed conservation amid climate challenges. Beejotsav 2025 offers various activities, including an Indigenous Seed Exhibition, an Organic Farmers' Market, workshops on eco-friendly farming, and expert talks. The event runs from March 21-23 at Vanamati in Nagpur, with free entry for all attendees.