KALPETTA: The 8th edition of the seed festival attracted many traditional farmers as well as farm lovers to the venue at Sulthan Bathery here on Friday, the second day of the event.
Inaugurating the fest organised by the Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK) on Thursday, Cheruvayal Raman, noted seed conservationist, told the gathering ‘seed is nature.’ “By conserving seed, you are conserving nature and fighting for the existence of humanity,” he said. Mr Raman also urged all to buy rare plants and seeds and become propagators of a noble mission.
FTAK promoter Tomy Vadakkumcheril said that the fest had successfully entered the eighth edition with growing interest of farmers in conserving the traditional seeds and plants.
“Now the festival has become a flagship programme of FTAK with the support of farmers,” he said.
The growing number of farmers’ suicides in Wayanad highlights the need for an alternative trade culture of fair trade promoted by FTAK, he pointed out. Hundreds of varieties of seeds and planting materials are on display at the venue where the focus is on food security.
Over 30 stalls by farmers of FTAK from various parts of the state, including Kasargod, Kozhikode and Kannur districts, highlight the traditional seeds conserved by farmers for generations. The festival also features various sessions on food security, bio- farming, indigenous farm techniques, crisis of farmers and traditional organic pesticide preparations. The festival will conclude on Sunday.
