Bettiah: In an era dominated by high-yielding hybrid seeds and chemical fertilizers, Vijay Giri, a progressive farmer from Harpur village in West Champaran, is quietly leading a drive by preserving rare and traditional seeds known for their medicinal value. Giri has established a unique seed bank aimed at safeguarding the country’s agricultural heritage for future generations.Giri’s journey into seed conservation began in 2016 after he attended a workshop organised under the Bihar govt’s Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programme. Recalling his inspiration, he said, “I was inspired to create a seed bank during a visit to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Delhi. From 2017, I started collecting ancient seeds from different states and research centres. I began cultivating various varieties of paddy, wheat, and millets on small patches of land to preserve them.”Today, his seed bank houses over 20 rare crop varieties. Among his prized varieties is ‘Sona Moti’ wheat, believed to trace its origins to the Indus Valley civilization.Giri’s fields currently grow a diverse range of crops, including black, purple, blue and other coloured wheat varieties, along with black, red, green and the popular ‘Magic’ rice. According to him, these ancient grains offer significant health benefits. “These varieties are rich in folic acid and have low glycemic and gluten content, making them highly beneficial for heart patients and diabetics,” he said.Expanding beyond grains, Giri has also successfully cultivated black potatoes and gained recognition for growing potatoes using aeroponics, a method where crops are grown in air without soil.Despite owning just three acres of land, Giri’s influence extends far beyond his village. He is connected with nearly 50,000 farmers across the country. Whenever he learns about a rare crop variety being cultivated in any part of the country, he procures the seeds and grows them using entirely organic methods. Agricultural experts have praised his efforts, calling them crucial for ensuring food security and promoting nutritional diversity. Rajendra Prasad Singh, senior scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Narkatiaganj, commended Giri’s work.“Giri is an aware farmer. By conserving ancient crop varieties, his seed bank will prove to be a milestone for future generations of farmers. These varieties, particularly the ones with a low glycemic index, are essential in the fight against diabetes,” Singh said.
