By Katherine Zavala | Asia Program Director, IDEX
Manavi is actively collecting traditional varieties of paddy seeds (used for growing rice and other semiaquatic crops). Over 90% of paddy fields in North Bihar contain hybrid seeds (some belonging to multinational corporation terminal seeds). Until now, Manavi has found around 70 varieties of paddy seeds and are aiming to locate around 125 varieties. From next crop season onwards, Manavi is hoping to propagate these seeds and develop a gene bank with support from local farmers.
With the support from the Ministry of Food and Supply, Manavi has been able to distribute more than 400-grain storage bins to self-help group (SHG) members. Manavi already successfully provided storage bins to SHG members in Dumka, Jharkand. As a result, Manavi is replicating this model to SHG members in Bihar.
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