AKSHATA Participatory Rice Seed Conservation Initiative

By SARA – Sustainable Alternatives for Rural Accord

The Disappearing Diversity of Rice

India has historically been one of the richest centers of rice diversity in the world. For centuries farmers cultivated thousands of rice varieties adapted to different landscapes, soils, climates, and cultural traditions.

“Prior to the green revolution in the 1960s, India was home to more than 100,000 rice varieties“-UNEP

These varieties were not simply crops. They embodied generations of agricultural knowledge, culinary traditions, nutritional diversity, and ecological adaptation. However, the agricultural transformations following the Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s dramatically altered this landscape. A small number of high-yield varieties were introduced. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were used along with these varieties. Monoculture farming practices were also adopted. These changes gradually replaced many traditional rice varieties across the country. Within a few decades, an enormous diversity of indigenous rice varieties disappeared from cultivation. Today, only a small fraction of these varieties remains actively grown in farmers’ fields.

With every disappearing seed we lose: • biodiversity
• nutritional diversity
• climate resilience
• cultural memory
• farmers’ freedom to choose and cultivate diverse seeds

Seeds Survive Through Cultivation

Seed conservation is often associated with seed banks and storage. While these efforts are important, seeds truly survive only when they are grown and renewed in living agricultural landscapes. Seeds that remain in cultivation continue to adapt to changing environments. They stay connected to farming knowledge, food traditions, and ecological systems. In this sense, the most meaningful way to conserve seeds is through cultivation, not storage alone. However, farmers today face economic uncertainty when cultivating traditional rice varieties because markets largely favour uniform commercial varieties.

Without support, many farmers hesitate to grow these seeds even when they value them deeply.

Introducing AKSHATA

AKSHATA is a participatory seed conservation initiative by SARA (Sustainable Alternatives for Rural Accord). The initiative aims to foster a meaningful relationship. It connects seed, soil, and farmer with the food consumer. The food consumer ultimately completes this cycle. AKSHATA creates a collaborative model. In this model, conscious citizens participate directly in conserving agricultural biodiversity. They support farmers before the sowing season.

How the Initiative Works

Seed Conservation Partners

Concerned citizens and conscious food consumers are invited to become Seed Conservation Partners. Participants contribute a minimum of ₹3000 or more, helping farmers cultivate traditional rice varieties that otherwise face uncertain markets. This support reaches farmers before sowing, encouraging them to grow rare rice varieties with confidence. As a gesture of gratitude, conservation partners will receive a curated bouquet of traditional rice varieties. This offers an opportunity to experience the diversity of grains, aromas, and flavors. These grains once nourished our food cultures.

Farmers as Custodians of Seeds

To begin with, SARA has identified 20 farmers. These farmers are willing to cultivate traditional rice varieties. They will use organic and ecologically responsible farming methods. Through this initiative, SARA will procure the rice harvested by farmers at approximately three times the prevailing market price. This ensures that seed conservation also becomes economically viable for farmers. Farmers participating in the initiative are recognised as custodians of agricultural biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Promoting Sustainable Farming

AKSHATA not only focuses on conserving seeds but also promotes sustainable and organic farming practices. The initiative supports farmers who grow traditional rice varieties using ecological methods. This strengthens the relationship between seed diversity and soil health. It also enhances sustainable agriculture.

Role of SARA

SARA acts as a facilitator and bridge between farmers and conservation partners. Its role includes:

• identifying farmers willing to grow traditional rice varieties
• ensuring organic and ecological farming practices
• coordinating participation of Seed Conservation Partners
• procuring rice from farmers at fair and supportive prices
• documenting traditional rice varieties
• conducting laboratory testing of rice varieties to better understand their nutritional and ecological characteristics
• distributing curated sample sets of rice varieties to conservation partners

Future Vision

AKSHATA is envisioned as a growing participatory movement. In the coming years SARA aims to:

• increase the number of farmers cultivating traditional rice varieties
• expand the network of Seed Conservation Partners
• multiply seeds and return them back to farming communities
• document the knowledge and stories associated with rice varieties
• bring food consumers closer to farmers and the farming process

The long-term goal is to ensure that traditional rice varieties remain alive in fields, kitchens, and communities.

Become a Seed Conservation Partner

By becoming a Seed Conservation Partner, you contribute to the revival of traditional rice varieties. You also support farmers who continue to safeguard agricultural biodiversity.

Your participation helps ensure that these seeds remain a living part of our food systems.

Minimum contribution: ₹2000

Participants will receive a bouquet of traditional rice varieties as a gesture of gratitude. This also serves as recognition of their involvement in the seed conservation movement.

Together we can bring forgotten seeds back to life.