The highlight of this ‘Sammelana’ of farmers traversed into the threats looming large over the heritage and rights of farmers to save seeds. First in the list was the Seed Bill 2004 which was discussed extensively to bring awareness of the unfavorable political climate that loomed large. Some crucial questions were:
- Would farmers be in a position to sell their own seeds or barter them?
- Would they be in a position to safe guard their varieties from bio-piracy?
- How does the bill define the farmer?
- What official systems are being envisaged to restrict the rights of the farmer to save seeds?
- What lip-service is being paid to protect the farmers through consumer courts?
- Can the law really ensure quality seeds through the new system, displacing the time-tested farmers’ practices to save seeds?
The farmers highlighted the impending threats to the time-tested seed production and seed marketing which was reliable, renewable and less expensive when compared to the proposed new system.
Genetically-modified seeds and their appearance in the market was yet another threat that was highlighted as engulfing the farming community. Farmers from different parts of South India where genetically-modified seeds were in circulation gave evidence to the fact that there were harmful effects. The example of the Bt Cotton where claims of high yield, low pesticide use were flouted, and to cap it all, the detrimental effect on the sheep grazing in the Bt Cotton field were observed. The advent of Bt Brinjal was discussed as an example of research done by universities and the threat of gene-flow into the diversity in the area.
The bill has been identified as an attack on basic rights of the peasantry. Mr. Ramachandran Pillai, who has done a critique of the bill, elaborated further by looking at the different sections of the bill. Section 21 of the bill declares that only a producer registered with the government can grow or produce seeds while Section 12 of the bill stipulates that all kinds and varieties of seeds should be registered in the National Register of Seeds. Section 13 of the bill states that only registered seed can be sold for the purpose of sowing or planting by any person. The conditions stipulated like the minimum germination, physical purity, genetic purity as prescribed under Section 6 curb the freedom of the farmer. Compulsory registration is based on the basis of results of multi-location trials insisted by the bill. The registration is considered valid for a 15 years period in the case of annuals and 18 years in the case of long duration perennial crops.
What is very detrimental to the interest of the small and marginal farmer is that any traditional variety used by them can be registered by any producer in their name and is followed by monopoly rights for producing that seed. Non-exclusion of seeds traditionally used by peasants from compulsory registration and absence of provisions for filing will enable seed companies to obtain registration on the seeds that are traditionally used. Another major concern is the lack of any mechanism in the bill to regulate seed supply or the price.
While the above reflections and many other outcomes of the bill definitely make a case for not passing the bill as it is but needs to be amended considerably. While making a case for granting the right of peasants to grow, organize production, save, use, exchange, share or sell his/her farm seeds, it is also necessary to emphasize the fact that the seeds presently grown and used by peasants should be excluded from registration. Any failure of seeds sold by companies should be compensated and any claims should be settled as expeditiously as possible, preferably with an outer time-frame before which it should be done. Seed certification powers should be retained by the government or agencies recognized by the government, and finally, the main aim of the bill should be to protect the interests of the peasantry and agriculture. And as a last word in the interest of the farming community, food security and livelihoods of people, one act should not undo what another act has purported.
As it is evident from the recall of the last several years of observing, absorbing and creating a platform for the marginalized, the issues span across a wide spectrum from ecological, economic, cultural, gender-based to political that lend themselves for action and implementation. From here, Green Foundation moves on to the next phase of its struggle to materialize the vision it has set for itself.
So a well-preserved ecosystem diversity for sustainable rural livelihood of the present generation without eroding the resource base of the future will enable and empower farmers who are the back-bone of the country:
- To lead a life of dignity,
- To sustain their livelihood in agriculture which is ecologically and economically viable and beneficial,
- To provide food security for themselves and the country.
Notes:
[1] Ministry of Environment and Forests, India.
[2] Goel, Anurag and Sujatha (2010) “Biodiversity and Fallow Lands”. Personal Communication.
About the Author:
Dr. Vanaja Ramprasad is the Founder & Director of Green Foundation, a biodiversity conservation programme she initiated in 1992. She has her Ph.D. in Human Nutrition & Management of Health, has worked with many grass-root level organizations & consulted with donors, facilitating planning, monitoring & evaluating development programmes. She has been actively involved in issues relating to women and population control, rational use of medicines, alternatives health care systems and environment & agricultural practices.
She was one of the lead authors in the IAASTD (International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science & Technology for Development) initiated by the World Bank in open partnership with a multi-stakeholder group of organizations, including FAO, GEF, UNDP, UNEP, WHO and UNESCO and representatives of governments, civil societies, private sector and scientific institutions from around the world. She is also a world board member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) based in Bonn, Germany.
About Green Foundation:
Green Foundation is a community-based biodiversity conservation organization initiated in the backward border district of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu in a modest way in 1992. It works with disadvantaged groups of small and marginal farmers, backward castes, tribals and dalits, especially women, in the semi-arid regions of South India, towards the conservation of agro biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. It has now spread across various eco-regions of the country. The Foundation innovated the concept of Community Seed Banks, and has actively championed the cause of organic farming and protection of indigenous varieties of crops and seeds. For more information, visit www.greenconserve.com.
