A dimension within Rights & Traditional Farming
This theme connects the shortage of traditional crop seeds with the restoration of tribal rights concerning forest products, food, and indigenous livelihoods.
149 voices speak to this
Each dimension splits this theme further — keep drilling to see how it breaks down.
Neutral
Overall Community Sentiment
My name is Sabita Pradhan. My village is Ghosaguda. The block is Tikabali. In earlier times, we used to cultivate in the forests. And we used to cultivate millets, corn, black gram, and horse gram. We used to cultivate all those. Fertilizer was not even needed there. And even if we want to cultivate now, we are not getting seeds. That's why we are requesting the government that if they provide us with seeds, we will be able to cultivate and sustain ourselves.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Maneni Pradhan, from Raikakonda Malu. We, the indigenous original inhabitants, produce food from the forest and want to live with nature. We are expressing this desire. We are humbly requesting the government that all these efforts be made for us.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Susmita Pradhan. We are the indigenous, original inhabitants. We wish to live in harmony with nature, producing our own food. We are demanding the government to conserve the things that are disappearing from the market. We are requesting the government to restore the forest products like roots and various forest items that are disappearing.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Jarunal Pradhan, and my village is Piparodi. And the GP (Gram Panchayat) is Piparodi block, Tikabali. In the past, we used to clear the forest there and plant millet, ragi, and corn. But today, we are not able to get those seeds. That's why we are requesting the government for seeds.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
I am Juno Chhatria. We are tribal people. We used to live by cultivating the forest and land. We used to eat fruits and roots from the forest, and we used to eat food without fertilizers, and we were not victims of any disease. Currently, we are eating food with fertilizers and are facing various diseases. That's why we request the government to return our previous world to us. Raykia Kandhamal.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Rina Kuonro. We are the tribal indigenous people. We produce food and collect from the forest, and we express our desire to live with the forest or with nature. This is a humble request to the government for us, and please pay attention to the forest-derived food that we can obtain.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Rashmita Pradhan. Just as our ancestors remained healthy by eating fruits and roots found in the forest, prepared without chemicals, we also wish to eat the same food now. We are from tribal-dominated areas. Our forest is our lifeline. Therefore, our ancient traditions should be restored, and our forest should not be destroyed. Thank you. Raika Kandhamal.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Sukanti Pradhan. My village is Lambakupa. GP is Pikorodi. Block is Tikabali. District is Kandhamal. In our rural areas, the main food items that were cultivated, such as ragi, millet, maize, black gram, and green gram, did not require fertilizer. That's why our ancestors lived for a long time. Currently, because we are not cultivating our traditional food seeds, many kinds of diseases are occurring. So, if we can get traditional food and seeds from the government, then we can return to our previous state.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Mohasti Pradhan. Village Bhikkarodi, Block Tikabali. Earlier, we used to cultivate Ragi, Guruji (a type of crop), Coir (a type of crop, possibly referring to a specific plant or practice), and Maize. In this area, we did not use fertilizer. That's why we were not getting sick (from crop diseases). Now, in today's time, as we are using fertilizer everywhere, we are suffering from diseases and are also unable to get these seeds. That is why we are requesting the government. Thank you.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Ashalata Pradhan. My village is Pikorodi, and the panchayat is Pikorodi, the block is Tikabali. In the olden days, we used to cultivate everything like corn, paddy, and all with only natural methods (without chemical fertilizers) and would eat it, and we didn't get any diseases. Now we are not getting these seeds, that's why we are not cultivating. Our people are suffering from many diseases. And if the government gives us seeds, we will be happy and able to cultivate.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
It seems Kuntula Pada village is Kutrabali. In Delhi, there is also Titrabali. In the past, we used to plant seeds like paddy, millet, maize, etc., in the hills. And no fertilizer was used in this cycle. That's why our health was good. And now we are unable to get these seeds. Therefore, we request the government. If you provide us with seeds, we will be able to cultivate. Thank you.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Surendra Podra. I am from Gurumundi village, Katinga Gram Panchayat, Dani block, Kandhamal district. I want to highlight the environmental degradation of today. Our ancestors used to live in the forest, depending on roots, greens, and various other things. But... I express my desire to bring back that kind of environment.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
My name is Rukmini Pradhan. I wish that all the tubers, edible creepers, Amla, Baana (wild fruits/berries), and resin that we used to collect in the forest in ancient times, and by eating and drinking them, we used to live well. And currently, we were spending our lives eating food prepared without natural sustenance, without chemical fertilizers. Now we wish for all these things, and I am expressing my opinion about tubers/roots.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Sanjukta Digal. My village is Kamba Naju, GP is Pikarudi, Block is Tikabali. Earlier, we used to get all these things like Mandia, Deddy, Arka, Chana, Makka. And nowadays, we don't get seeds. And our body, our body is also getting very bad. Because now we are only eating processed food. That's why, if we get the old traditional seeds, we want to cultivate and keep our body healthy.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Sabjan Mitra Pradhan. My village is Dibaoala. My Panchayat is Godimunda, and my Block is Tikabali. In the olden days, we used to cultivate and live off queer, died, and mandia (millet). In today's time, we don't get those seeds. That's why we can't even cultivate. If we get seeds from the old times, we can cultivate and live.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Malisa Pradhan from Rayakia, Kandhamal. Our ancestors used to cultivate vegetables without fertilizer, and they would eat forest roots to gain good health. Currently, we also wish to live like this.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Chandrika Pradhan. My village is Panga Bidungia, block is Tikabali. In the olden days, we used to keep seeds in pots. We kept them because, in the olden days, we didn't use fertilizer. Nowadays, we are using fertilizer. That's why we can't keep our seeds for many days. We want to return to the previous state.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Mutiy Pradhan. My Gram Panchayat is Pikorodi. My Block is Tikabali. My District is Kandhamal. Our mothers used to store seeds in the olden days. They would keep seeds in pots near the fire in 'Putra Jakore'. Nothing would happen to them. Today, in today's date, farming is done with fertilizer and pesticides, which is why this year, the seeds cannot last even for a year. That's why we want to live like before.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Isaac Sabar, village Zero Number, Panchayat Mandi Mandi, District Kandhamal. I feel that in the current situation, people used to use traditional forest products, which are forest-derived goods, in large quantities to sustain their livelihoods, but due to the lack of forests, they have disappeared. We want to restore the forests so that we can enjoy those forest products just like our ancestors used to.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
My name is Jayanti Pradhan. My village is Brenguda. The Panchayat is Badamunda. The block is Tikabali. In the old days, we used to cultivate millet, sorghum, and maize without fertilizer, and our health was not particularly bad. Now, we don't even get those seeds. And what is being cultivated, that requires fertilizer. That's why we are living with poor health.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
Suryakanti Pradhan, Block Raikia, District Kandhamal. Our ancestors used to cultivate vegetables without fertilizer and ate forest-grown roots, gaining good health. Now we wish to live like this too.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Bishnu Rohit. Village Rangaguda, Panchayat Bamunia, Block Jarimadi, District Kandhamal. I see that the current environment is very dire, as it is not raining at the right time because forests are being destroyed. Therefore, I request the government to build small check dams in every village so that we can get water for irrigation. It is a humble request for the government to pay attention to this.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
Our ancestors lived by eating forest-grown tubers. We also now wish to prepare and eat all the food that is made through the destruction of those tubers. Therefore, we request the government to stop all of that and make arrangements.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
Which part of your food, forest, or farming life do you miss the most? My name is Baijayanti Dehuri, village Nedrikhol, and Post Khajuripada, and Block Khajuripada, and Panchayat Khajuripada. Earlier, we used to eat good food, but now we eat food grown with fertilizer, so we want to cultivate millet.
— harischandra Dalabehera · Khajuripada, Kandhamal, Odisha
We do not consider Pata Soujyamati Pradhan. From our Kandhamal region, we three individuals from Mhoisar Agasa are surviving by gathering fruits. We stand together for our needs. We three, consuming this chemical-laden food, are suffering from various diseases. If we fall ill and lack forest produce and other support, we three from Kusaburu Kandhamal are united. We are humbly requesting the government to make the necessary arrangements.
— RITARANI PRADHAN · Raikia, Kandhamal, Odisha
My village is Madipanka Panchayat, Bamua Block, Daringbadi, Kandhamal District. I feel that the traditional farming methods our ancestors used, without using fertilizers, yielded more crops. Now, even with fertilizers, the yield... I am expressing my wish.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
I remember the olden days. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers used to consume Kangu, Kueri, Kusala (types of millets). Because they consumed these, they lived for a very long time, up to 100 years. Presently, since these are not being consumed, all of us are in a difficult state. If the government would provide us with seeds of Kangu and Kueri, it would be even better. We would thank the government. Namaskar to everyone.
— Manu Digal · Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Suchitra Pradhan, my village is Budhamaha, GP is Pipikaradi, Block is Tikabali. If our SHG group quickly gives us twenty thousand, then by doing small farming, we could support our family. And we would also be able to live happily. We especially request this from the government.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Kanchana Pradhan, my village is Renguda, block is Tikabali. The Panchayat is Kuikorodi. In the olden days, we used to eat maize, millet, jona (a type of grain), and chickpeas. But nowadays, that seed is not available, nor do we get it. That's why our son gave us the seeds, and we cultivated them.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Dhiren Badhai from Kiyariya village and Bamani Gaon Panchayat, Dharibari block. Our ancestors used to eat roots, leafy greens, fruits, and tubers from the forest, living a nutritious life, but now all of that has decreased.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
My village is Pikorodi, my name is Rachana Digal. And the Panchayat is Pikorodi, the block is Tikabali. If the government would give us 20,000 rupees, then we could cultivate mushrooms and support our family. This is our request to the government, thank you.
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
We believe that the traditional crops like ragi, kodo, and urad dal, which were produced by our farmers in the past, should be produced again. For that, we are requesting the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
— Manu Digal · Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Ashish Pradhan, village Bamnipanka, Panchayat Bamnia, Block Jharimunda, District Kandhamal. I want to make society aware that by collecting traditional seeds and by doing traditional farming to a greater extent, so that the fertility of the soil can always be maintained. I will make society or the people aware.
— SUBASH SABHASUNDAR · Gajapati, Odisha
In my village, there are many wild fruits and vegetables that should be included in school meals, in the midday meal. This is a request to the government.
— Jaya · Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
My name is Khabari Digala. My village is Lambakupa. GP is Pikarodi. The block is Tikabali. The district is Kandhamal. In our rural area, the main food items were Gangu, Kuheri, Mandia, Jona, Makka, Biri, Muga. Earlier, no fertilizer was used in this cultivation. And because of that, our ancestors lived for many days. We... we...
— Sunita Pradhan · Tikabali, Kandhamal, Odisha
I am Mrs. Aparna Pradhan from Lamungia village, Gram Panchayat Manikeshwar, Kandhamal district. I want to bring back the ancient crops/millets Kujuri, Mandia, and Kangu.
— Sudhakar Pradhan · Kandhamal, Odisha
Now, not much food is available in the forest, but our community's traditional grains like Kodo Kutki khichdi, dalia, and Tur, Chana, and Masoor dals should be included in the PDS, and our children should also receive these in their midday meals.
— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
Greetings, Pawan Baliar, my name is Anjan Nayak. You see, previously in the forest, we used to get things like Kantekoli, Amla, Harada, Bahada, and Kendu. Currently...
— Sasmita Mallick · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
My name is Naresh Pradhan, from Dalabali village, Jiridikia Gram Panchayat, K. Nuagaon Block, Kandhamal District. Currently, due to a shortage of seeds and lack of irrigation, we are unable to cultivate a second crop. Therefore, please provide us with seeds for cultivating a second crop.
— Rajib Pradhan · Sarangada, Kandhamal, Odisha
My name is Keshab Bhai Ku. My village is Brahmanigaon, Panchayat Brahmanigaon, Block Daringbadi, District Kandhamal. I want to cultivate paddy, but due to lack of seeds, I am unable to cultivate paddy. If the government provides me with seeds for paddy cultivation, then I will be able to cultivate paddy and support my family.
— Usharani Dandasena · Gajapati, Odisha
