Initiative to Develop Bharog Baneri Village in Dharati Dhar into a Seed Village; Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma Urges Farmers to Adopt Natural Farming and Preserve Traditional Seeds
Pahad Trust and RRA Network, in collaboration with PARAYAS Society, are conducting an awareness campaign in Sirmaur; an important meeting was organised jointly by PARAYAS Society and Gram Panchayat Bharog Baneri.
“Preserving traditional seeds, promoting millet cultivation and adopting natural farming are essential for a healthy future,” says Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma.
Sirmaur, October 18, 2026: With the objective of promoting natural farming, preserving the rich heritage of traditional seeds and raising awareness among farmers about sustainable agricultural practices, Pahad Trust and RRA Network, in collaboration with PARAYAS Society, are conducting awareness programmes across Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. As part of this initiative, an important meeting was organised on Sunday at the Panchayat Bhawan in Gram Panchayat Bharog Baneri, in the Dharati Dhar region, jointly by PARAYAS Society and Gram Panchayat Bharog Baneri.
The primary objective of the meeting was to raise awareness among farmers about developing Bharog Baneri village into a Seed Village, while encouraging the conservation of traditional seeds, natural farming and millet cultivation. The related awareness activities are being carried out under the Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana of the Department of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh. ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency), Sirmaur, has also played an important role in this initiative.
During the meeting, Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer Nek Ram Sharma, Pahad Trust worker Sanjeev Rana, and Praveen Kumar, Block Technology Manager (BTM) from ATMA, Nahan, provided detailed information to farmers and villagers about traditional seed conservation, natural farming, the importance of millets, proper care of traditional seeds, safe storage methods and sustainable agricultural practices.
The meeting was attended by Ram Gopal Sharma, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Bharog Baneri; Rita Ramoul, BDC member; Dheeraj Ramoul, Secretary of PARAYAS Society; Naresh Kumar, Coordinator of PARAYAS Society; Ward Member Jaipal; Rangi Lal Sharma; Ram Lal Sharma; Sarita Devi; Som Prakash; Lakshmi Dutt; Guman Singh; and several other farmers and villagers.
Traditional Seeds Are an Invaluable Part of Our Agricultural Heritage: Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma
Padma Shri awardee and progressive farmer Nek Ram Sharma, who hails from the Karsog region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, shared his agricultural experience and explained the importance of traditional seeds, millets and natural farming to the farmers.
He stated that traditional seeds are an invaluable part of our agricultural heritage. They embody our culture, indigenous agricultural knowledge developed in accordance with local climatic conditions, and an important component of biodiversity. Farmers have preserved these seeds for generations; however, the cultivation of many traditional crops and the use of their indigenous seeds have gradually declined over time.
He emphasised that if collective efforts are not made in time to conserve traditional seeds, future generations may lose access to this rich agricultural heritage. Therefore, every farmer should identify traditional seeds available in their region, preserve them carefully and encourage their cultivation.
Mr Sharma explained the importance of proper seed care, safe storage, timely sowing and the exchange of seeds among farmers. He said that farmers could strengthen the conservation movement by preserving good-quality seeds for the next cropping season and sharing them with other farmers.
He stressed that the conservation of traditional seeds is not limited to agricultural production; it is also closely linked to our cultural identity, local biodiversity and future food security.
Emphasis on Millet Cultivation and the Traditional Nine-Grain Farming System
Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma highlighted the importance of millet cultivation and encouraged farmers to promote indigenous grains and traditional food crops.
He explained that ragi, koda, kangni and other local grains have traditionally been an important part of the region's food culture. Promoting these crops can help maintain agricultural diversity, preserve indigenous agricultural knowledge and provide rural households with a wider variety of nutritious food.
Referring to the traditional nine-grain farming system, he explained that this method involves cultivating different types of grains and food crops together in the same field. Such mixed cropping practices can play an important role in promoting agricultural diversity and passing traditional farming knowledge on to future generations.
He urged farmers to encourage the cultivation of traditional crops suited to local conditions and familiarise younger generations with the importance of indigenous grains, traditional seeds and conventional agricultural practices.
Adopting Natural Farming Is Essential for a Healthy Life: Nek Ram Sharma
He emphasised the need to reduce dependence on chemical inputs in farming, maintain soil fertility and use natural resources judiciously. Adopting suitable natural farming practices according to local conditions can help make agriculture more sustainable.
He encouraged rural families to include local grains, traditional pulses, seasonal vegetables and other nutritious foods in their daily diets. He noted that traditional food cultures and agricultural practices contain several valuable elements that can be preserved to promote a healthier lifestyle.
He called upon farmers to work collectively towards protecting Mother Earth, conserving traditional seeds and promoting natural farming.
BTM Praveen Kumar from ATMA Nahan Educates Farmers on Traditional Seed Conservation
Praveen Kumar, Block Technology Manager (BTM) from ATMA, Nahan, representing ATMA, Sirmaur, addressed the farmers and provided detailed information about conserving old and traditional seeds, their proper care and safe storage.
He explained that identifying indigenous seeds, preserving them appropriately, maintaining their quality during storage and ensuring timely sowing are important aspects of seed conservation.
He encouraged farmers to collect information about traditional seeds available within their families and villages and work together to preserve them. The exchange of traditional seeds among farmers can help maintain local agricultural diversity.
In the context of the initiative to develop Bharog Baneri into a Seed Village, Mr Kumar also emphasised the importance of active farmer participation and mutual cooperation. He stated that coordination among farmers, Panchayat representatives, the Agriculture Department and social organisations is essential for conserving traditional seeds and encouraging their cultivation at the village level.
He added that if farmers collectively take steps to identify, conserve and cultivate traditional seeds, it would represent a significant contribution towards protecting the region's agricultural heritage.
Sanjeev Rana Raises Awareness about Natural Farming and Traditional Seed Conservation
Sanjeev Rana, a worker associated with Pahad Trust, also participated in the meeting and informed farmers and villagers about the importance of natural farming and traditional seed conservation.
He emphasised the need to increase farmers' participation at the local level, preserve traditional agricultural knowledge and raise awareness about the conservation of natural resources.
He stated that active participation by rural communities could strengthen efforts to preserve traditional seeds and promote sustainable agricultural practices. He encouraged farmers to recognise the value of indigenous seeds and local crops and take responsibility for their conservation.
Collective Initiative to Develop Bharog Baneri into a Seed Village
The initiative to develop Bharog Baneri into a Seed Village aims to preserve the village's agricultural heritage and raise awareness among farmers about the importance of traditional seeds.
During the meeting, participants discussed identifying traditional seeds of grains, pulses and other crops available in the village, encouraging their conservation and strengthening the tradition of seed exchange among farmers.
Under the Seed Village concept, local farmers can work together to preserve traditional seeds, encourage their cultivation and maintain agricultural diversity.
The meeting highlighted that active participation by farmers, support from the Panchayat, guidance from the Agriculture Department and coordinated efforts by social organisations are essential for developing a village into a Seed Village.
The meeting held at Bharog Baneri marked an important step towards raising awareness among rural communities about traditional seed conservation and sustainable agriculture.
PARAYAS Society Committed to Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture
PARAYAS Society continues to work towards promoting sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas, raising awareness among farmers, protecting the environment and ensuring active participation by rural communities.
Through this awareness initiative conducted by Pahad Trust and RRA Network in collaboration with PARAYAS Society, and the meeting organised jointly with Gram Panchayat Bharog Baneri, a strong message was conveyed about the importance of safeguarding local agricultural heritage.
The programme emphasised that preserving traditional seeds, promoting millet cultivation, adopting natural farming and protecting the natural resources of Mother Earth are collective responsibilities.
Collective efforts by farmers, women, youth, Panchayat representatives, the Agriculture Department and social organisations can make a significant contribution towards passing traditional agricultural knowledge on to future generations and promoting sustainable agriculture.
