Jayesh Joshi, founder and coordinator of the voluntary organization Vaagdhara, has recently been in the news as co-organizer of a national dialogue on the self-reliance of rural communities and a series of village fairs to strengthen tribal communities’ efforts for beej swaraj—self-reliance in seeds. These initiatives have gained special significance at a time of growing global concern over the concentration of the seed industry in the hands of a few multinational corporations.
What should be done in such a difficult situation to promote seed self-reliance, especially for rural and tribal communities? What has been Vaagdhara’s role in this direction? In this interview, Jayesh Joshi responds to these and related questions:
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Q: In recent months, there has been a growing emphasis on policies of self-reliance in India and some other developing countries. How important is your campaign for beej swaraj in this context?
A: I believe beej swaraj is of very high importance in this and wider contexts. In India and many other countries, when we talk of self-reliance, the self-reliance of rural areas—or Gram Swaraj—becomes central. This was emphasized during the freedom movement, and in the thinking of Mahatma Gandhi, it was seen as the foundation for regenerating villages. Even today, this vision remains relevant, with added significance in the context of climate change. Within this broader framework of Gram Swaraj, beej swaraj is crucial. Seeds are the essence and the starting point of life, farming, and food. If we are dependent on others for seeds, true Gram Swaraj is not possible.
Q: However, farmers in India and many other countries are increasingly dependent on external sources for seeds. How do you hope to change this?
A: We work with tribal communities in central India across three states, where Vaagdhara’s initiatives have been welcomed because they respond to real community needs. Beej swaraj has traditionally been integral to tribal livelihoods, farming, and culture. But colonial exploitation, followed by a model of development that ignored community strengths, disrupted these well-established systems. Communities were often pressured to abandon their so-called “backward systems” in favor of imposed models of development. This created confusion and weakened their ability to preserve traditional strengths. When Vaagdhara began, we made sure not to impose anything. We approached communities with humility and a willingness to learn. We found that despite constraints, they had evolved practices well-suited to their conditions, such as carefully saving seeds of diverse crops. These strengths, however, were in decline. Our role has been to help revive and reinforce these practices, build confidence, and support improvements without disrupting community systems.
Q: What exactly is your approach to beej swaraj?
A: Our approach is holistic. Seed self-reliance is not an isolated goal; it is an essential part of strengthening communities and making their farming systems more resilient and sustainable. We mobilize groups of women and men at village and cluster levels to support one another. This approach encourages the revival of traditional seed-saving practices, supported by both indigenous knowledge and new insights. Research and documentation—such as identifying nearly 100 types of traditional and uncultivated foods, studying mixed farming systems, crop rotations, and nutritional values—have been valuable. Seed fairs (beej melas) have also played an important role. In recent years, around 90 such fairs have been organized simultaneously before the planting season, allowing farmers to learn about seed varieties, exchange seeds, and strengthen community ties. People enjoy these events not only for their practical benefits but also because they revive a cultural tradition that had been disrupted. In addition, beej swaraj provides a foundation for promoting natural farming, which is best supported by the diverse traditional seeds of these communities.
Q: How does this help in times of climate change?
A: Strengthened communities with greater self-reliance are better able to cope with climate change and its impacts, such as erratic weather. Reduced dependence on costly inputs also lowers vulnerability. Moreover, natural farming based on indigenous seeds reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which supports climate mitigation. Traditionally, tribal farming systems did not depend on fossil fuels; this burden came only with outside interventions. By returning to natural, diverse, seed-based farming, we can rebuild systems that are both sustainable and climate-resilient, while also conserving soil.
Q: How can beej swaraj be taken forward?
A: This is not just an economic issue; it is deeply connected with culture and ways of life. It must be pursued holistically. And it is not the responsibility of one organization or community alone. This is a larger national and global issue. We need a fundamental shift in thinking—seeds should be regarded as the heritage of humanity, to be shared freely, and never as tools for maximizing profit or controlling others.
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Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now
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