Traditional Farming Revival

Name: Purnachandra Pradhan. Village: Gatamaha, G.P. Bondaguda, block Nuagaon, District Kandhamal. We are cultivating green gram, mustard, and black gram as a second crop without irrigation, and we are also saving seeds.

— Sidheswar Nayak · Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Matirama Pradhan. I am from Kanibidika G.P., Bandaguda Block, K. Nuagaon village, Kandhamal District. I am a farmer cultivating traditional seeds like Biri Jhudanga. I have been cultivating a second crop without irrigation.

— Sidheswar Nayak · Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Sukanti Pradhan. My village is Lambakupa. GP is Pikorodi. Block is Tikabali. District is Kandhamal. In our rural areas, the main food items that were cultivated, such as ragi, millet, maize, black gram, and green gram, did not require fertilizer. That's why our ancestors lived for a long time. Currently, because we are not cultivating our traditional food seeds, many kinds of diseases are occurring. So, if we can get traditional food and seeds from the government, then we can return to our previous state.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Dillip Kumar, from Mahulpada village. After the rice cultivation is finished, we cultivate green gram and black gram. We dry the seeds in the sun, mix them with neem leaves, tie them tightly, and sow those stored seeds the following year.

— RUDRA PRASAD BAG · Mahulpāra, Nuapada, Odisha

My name is Sabita Pradhan. My village is Ghosaguda. The block is Tikabali. In earlier times, we used to cultivate in the forests. And we used to cultivate millets, corn, black gram, and horse gram. We used to cultivate all those. Fertilizer was not even needed there. And even if we want to cultivate now, we are not getting seeds. That's why we are requesting the government that if they provide us with seeds, we will be able to cultivate and sustain ourselves.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Kanchana Pradhan, my village is Renguda, block is Tikabali. The Panchayat is Kuikorodi. In the olden days, we used to eat maize, millet, jona (a type of grain), and chickpeas. But nowadays, that seed is not available, nor do we get it. That's why our son gave us the seeds, and we cultivated them.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Sunita Dalemajhi, Batamaha, Kotgarh, Kandhamal. Yes, this year I have cultivated black gram and pigeon pea in the second crop with zero irrigation. We are following traditional farming methods and seed preservation.

— Manu Majhi

I am Mrs. Aparna Pradhan from Lamungia village, Gram Panchayat Manikeshwar, Kandhamal district. I want to bring back the ancient crops/millets Kujuri, Mandia, and Kangu.

— Sudhakar Pradhan · Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Rama Majhi. I am from Kukurbhursi. I cultivate green gram and black gram. I save seeds for the next year. I have quality seeds.

— Anil Kumar Das · Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, Odisha

My name is Khabari Digala. My village is Lambakupa. GP is Pikarodi. The block is Tikabali. The district is Kandhamal. In our rural area, the main food items were Gangu, Kuheri, Mandia, Jona, Makka, Biri, Muga. Earlier, no fertilizer was used in this cultivation. And because of that, our ancestors lived for many days. We... we...

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Mutiy Pradhan. My Gram Panchayat is Pikorodi. My Block is Tikabali. My District is Kandhamal. Our mothers used to store seeds in the olden days. They would keep seeds in pots near the fire in 'Putra Jakore'. Nothing would happen to them. Today, in today's date, farming is done with fertilizer and pesticides, which is why this year, the seeds cannot last even for a year. That's why we want to live like before.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Ramesh Majhi. We cultivate millet, kodo, and arhar. These can be used as nutrition or for the PDS (Public Distribution System).

— Prabhasini Batkar · Tumudibandh, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Sakunta Mahananda, from Pendramal village. In my house, farming is done without water, just like we cultivate green gram, black gram, and horse gram, and we store them safely for the next rainy season using limpatar and futkel leaves.

— Geetanjali Kumbgar · Balangir, Odisha

My name is Sanjukta Digal. My village is Kamba Naju, GP is Pikarudi, Block is Tikabali. Earlier, we used to get all these things like Mandia, Deddy, Arka, Chana, Makka. And nowadays, we don't get seeds. And our body, our body is also getting very bad. Because now we are only eating processed food. That's why, if we get the old traditional seeds, we want to cultivate and keep our body healthy.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

I, Sukhlal Parkhi from Rampur Mewara, cultivate pigeon pea, chickpea, flaxseed, and mustard in these hilly regions using zero-irrigation farming. We collect seeds using traditional methods. We put neem leaves in seed storage.

— narayanlalbaranda5@gmail.com · Jhapa, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

My name is Maheswar Sunani. We cultivate second crops like moong, masoor, and black gram after paddy. We also store seeds using traditional farming methods to cultivate them in the upcoming year.

— pinku sunani · Khotlabhāta, Nuapada, Odisha

My name is Jarunal Pradhan, and my village is Piparodi. And the GP (Gram Panchayat) is Piparodi block, Tikabali. In the past, we used to clear the forest there and plant millet, ragi, and corn. But today, we are not able to get those seeds. That's why we are requesting the government for seeds.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

I am Hiralal Mainat Jaluqua. I practice zero-irrigation farming. In this, chickpea, mustard, and flax can be cultivated. For seed collection, in olden times...

— narayanlalbaranda5@gmail.com · Jhapa, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

My name is Ashalata Pradhan. My village is Pikorodi, and the panchayat is Pikorodi, the block is Tikabali. In the olden days, we used to cultivate everything like corn, paddy, and all with only natural methods (without chemical fertilizers) and would eat it, and we didn't get any diseases. Now we are not getting these seeds, that's why we are not cultivating. Our people are suffering from many diseases. And if the government gives us seeds, we will be happy and able to cultivate.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Netrananda Bag, village Mahul Pada. Traditionally, we dry moong, masoor, and chana seeds in the sun for four to five days. We also dry neem leaves. Then we mix them all together, tie them up completely, and store them, and sow these seeds the next year.

— RUDRA PRASAD BAG · Dongargaon, Nuapada, Odisha

Hello everyone. I am Sanjay. I am a farmer from Gani Gram Panchayat, Tikapali Block, Kandhamal District. I farm using traditional methods and I also save the seeds for the second crop. I also cultivate the second crop in un-irrigated land, from which I benefit greatly. If this process continues, many farmers in my village will also benefit. So the government should give importance to this. All farmers should be able to cultivate a second crop, so please take concrete action for that. Thank you.

— Sanjib Digal · Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Chandrika Pradhan. My village is Panga Bidungia, block is Tikabali. In the olden days, we used to keep seeds in pots. We kept them because, in the olden days, we didn't use fertilizer. Nowadays, we are using fertilizer. That's why we can't keep our seeds for many days. We want to return to the previous state.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Ashadh Rahit. I see that traditional farming is currently going to be planted. But I hope that by collecting traditional seeds, I will cultivate more, and I will make everyone in our village aware that by doing traditional farming, everyone can be active.

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

My name is Jayant Kumar Hena and my village is Kumari. Even without much cultivation, we can sow crops like green gram and then chickpeas.

— Prameswar Rana

My name is Sarasa Sunani. We cultivate green gram (moong) and lentil (masoor) as a second crop after paddy, and by keeping the seeds using traditional farming methods for the upcoming year.

— pinku sunani · Khairpadar, Nuapada, Odisha

Yes, I am a farmer. I cultivate moong and mustard using traditional methods with my own seeds.

— Paradeshi Mirdha · Sambalpur, Odisha

My name is Rohit Patmajhi. My village is Buttedi. I make a living by farming turmeric. I need some items

— Karunakar Uthansing · Maradipanga, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Lalit Majhi, and we do zero-irrigation farming for the second crop, cultivating crops like moong, urad, and kulthi.

— Jadumani Nial · Jagānpadar, Nuapada, Odisha

My name is Ashish Pradhan, village Khadiguda, Panchayat Katingia, Block Daringbadi, District Kandhamal. I am a farmer. I want to do more farming.

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

My village is Madipanka Panchayat, Bamua Block, Daringbadi, Kandhamal District. I feel that the traditional farming methods our ancestors used, without using fertilizers, yielded more crops. Now, even with fertilizers, the yield... I am expressing my wish.

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

My name is Jayanti Pradhan. My village is Brenguda. The Panchayat is Badamunda. The block is Tikabali. In the old days, we used to cultivate millet, sorghum, and maize without fertilizer, and our health was not particularly bad. Now, we don't even get those seeds. And what is being cultivated, that requires fertilizer. That's why we are living with poor health.

— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha

My name is Ghasiram Pradhan. Village Mandipanka. Panchayat Bamuni Block Dhanimali District Kandhamal. I am a good farmer. I wish to cultivate a second crop. But there is a shortage of seeds. As a result, my second crop...

— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha

My name is Muktilata Bastarai. Village Budapenu, GP Jhunjhuriguda, Block Taringibadi. I am a farmer woman. I am a farmer woman. If I am given seeds on time, I would cultivate and benefit along with my children.

— Tanita · Gajapati, Odisha

We used to cultivate various crops extensively. Additionally, I cultivated mustard, moong bean, guava, horse gram, etc. All these seeds are important for my family.

— RINA BEHERA · Sundargarh, Odisha

I am Parakhit Hans, from Dahanapali Village. The land at Dhana Katilapara is cultivated. This land should be immediately plowed, and green gram and lentils should be sown. After harvesting the crop, it should be properly dried and stored in straw, an earthen pot, or a container. It remains there, and then we sow it after the rain.

— pinku sunani · Karangamāl, Nuapada, Odisha