Telangana's First Seed Festival From April 4 To 6

Telangana will host the first Telangana Annual Seed Festival, Vitthanala Panduga, at the Earth Centre, Anumaspalli, Kadthal, from April 4 to 6.

The event will spotlight the challenges farmers face in accessing quality seeds. It will focus on conserving native seeds, promoting sustainable seed use, and ensuring fair and equitable seed distribution among farmers.

For years, farmers in Telangana have struggled with seed procurement, often waiting in long queues after borrowing money from private lenders at high interest rates. Despite repeated concerns, a lasting solution remains elusive.

Speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference in Hyderabad on April 1, President of the Council for Green Revolution Leela Laxma Reddy and a policy expert on seed sovereignty Dr (Prof) Dhonti Narasimha Reddy outlined the festival's objectives.

"Our seed heritage, germplasm and biodiversity - including agro-diversity and indigenous knowledge - must be preserved as a collective resource. This festival aims to bring together non-governmental, governmental and independent efforts in seed conservation, breeding and knowledge-sharing across Telangana and India. It's not just about timely availability - high-quality seeds with good germination potential are becoming rare as hybrids continue to dominate the market," they said.