Yazali: A two-day biodiversity and seed festival in Arunachal Pradesh concluded on Thursday with a strong call for seed sovereignty, ecological conservation and youth participation in agriculture, as farmers, scientists, policymakers and development agencies pledged greater support for indigenous farming systems and climate-resilient livelihoods.
The valedictory session of the Arunachal Pradesh Jaiv Vividhata and Mvm Liid Soonam/Beej Utsav brought together legislators, agricultural experts, community leaders and young entrepreneurs in Yazali, where discussions focused on preserving traditional seed varieties, strengthening rural economies and integrating indigenous knowledge into policy frameworks.
The event was hosted by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Chairperson Soumya Swaminathan and opened by Keyi Panyor Zilla Parishad Chairperson Nabam Piju, who highlighted the district’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
MSSRF Biodiversity Programme Director ED Israel Oliver King presented a roadmap emerging from the two-day consultation, emphasising the need to bridge scientific research and traditional knowledge systems to safeguard indigenous seed varieties from the impacts of climate change.
Among the most compelling moments of the session was the testimony of Hage Tado Nanya of Hari village in Ziro Valley, an Apatani farmer who has spent decades preserving indigenous seeds despite having no formal education.
Nanya told the gathering that she began conserving traditional seed varieties in 1990 after noticing their gradual disappearance. Over the years, she developed a seed bank that now preserves 17 indigenous varieties and remains open to all communities regardless of religion, caste or ethnicity.
She recounted how she raised seven daughters through seed conservation and integrated paddy-cum-fish farming, beginning with the sale of fish for five rupees and later incorporating government-provided fingerlings into her farming system. Her work has earned international recognition, including three internationally certified awards linked to self-help group and progressive farming initiatives.
Warning against the erosion of traditional farming practices, Nanya urged younger generations not to abandon staple crops in pursuit of modern agricultural trends.
“What if suddenly we don’t get rice? We must remain self-reliant and self-sufficient,” she said.
She also expressed concern over the decline of local fish populations following the introduction of chemical fertilisers and highlighted environmental changes in Ziro Valley, including the loss of traditional forest conservation practices.
Earlier, Nyishi farmer representative and head gaon bura Likha Tado described visible ecological changes in the region, including shrinking rivers and deteriorating forest ecosystems, which he attributed to climate change and environmental degradation.
He stressed the importance of preserving indigenous food systems and traditional medicinal knowledge and called for stronger policy support for conservation efforts.
Youth representative Tarh Tadam addressed concerns over the declining appeal of agriculture among young people, arguing that farming continues to suffer from low social status and economic uncertainty.
He criticised the widespread perception that agriculture is a fallback option for those who fail elsewhere and called for structured government support, improved financial incentives and stronger institutional backing to make farming a viable career choice.
“Commercial agriculture has not yet been fully realised in Arunachal Pradesh, and young entrepreneurs often do not see enough examples of success,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised during the discussions, NABARD Assistant General Manager Varaprasada K. Kuppli said the institution was looking for local NGO partners to expand natural farming initiatives under the Jeeva programme across the region.
“Come forward. We need to train these people, and NABARD will provide the necessary training and capacity building,” he said.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P. Subramanian emphasised the link between biodiversity, nutrition and community wellbeing. He proposed village-level programmes to plant indigenous fruit trees along roadsides and encouraged farmer-to-farmer seed exchange networks modelled on successful initiatives in other states.
He also urged communities to document traditional food preparations associated with indigenous crop varieties, noting that cultural knowledge and seed conservation must go hand in hand.
Addressing concerns about the viability of agricultural livelihoods, Subramanian pointed to the growing interest in farming and eco-tourism among urban professionals and encouraged Arunachal Pradesh’s youth to leverage the state’s natural environment for sustainable economic opportunities.
In his remarks, Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung pledged to incorporate recommendations emerging from the festival into his policy priorities, particularly those relating to seed preservation, rural entrepreneurship and youth engagement.
Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng, delivering the valedictory address, said the concerns raised during the festival reflected broader challenges facing rural communities across Arunachal Pradesh.
He pledged support for policies aimed at protecting indigenous seed diversity, strengthening eco-friendly tribal livelihoods and creating economic safeguards that would make agriculture a secure and respected profession for future generations.
Closing the event, MSSRF Chairperson Soumya Swaminathan praised the resilience and knowledge of local farming communities and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting nature-based solutions and climate-resilient development initiatives in the region.
The festival concluded with a vote of thanks by MSSRF Senior Development Coordinator Girigan Gopi, who acknowledged the contributions of legislators, scientists, development agencies, community leaders and farmers whose participation shaped the discussions over the two-day event.