Imagine a world where rice wasn't just a staple food, but a symphony of flavors and textures unique to every village. Sadly, the green revolution led to a decline in rice diversity, with many heritage varieties disappearing.
This is where the Swami Dayananda Educational Trust (SDET)’s Spirit of The Earth steps in. Established in Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu, SDET works towards sustainable rural development and preserving traditional practices. Their seed bank, founded in 2012, is a treasure trove of 273 rare and endangered rice varieties from across India.
Have you ever wondered how many rice varieties existed in India? The answer is a staggering 100,000, each village boasting its own unique grain. These varieties held not just culinary significance, but also embodied local knowledge and practices passed down through generations.
SDET's seed bank is on a mission to recover, conserve, and cultivate these lost treasures. They've tirelessly traveled the country, reaching out to farmers and researchers to collect these precious grains. Often, they receive just a handful, which they meticulously nurture back to life.
Adopt a Heritage Rice: Be a Part of the Revival
The process of reviving these heritage varieties is slow and meticulous. It takes years to cultivate enough seeds for sharing. This is where you can play a crucial role!
SDET's Adopt a Heritage Rice program allows you to contribute to this vital cause. By adopting a rice variety for a year, you'll be directly supporting the conservation and propagation efforts.
What You Get
A donation of Rs. 15,000 grants you:
- The satisfaction of knowing you're helping preserve India's rich rice heritage
- A 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act
- Your name displayed on a plaque in the field
- 5 kgs of organic heritage rice grown by Swami Dayananda Farms
Adopting a heritage rice isn't just about acquiring a unique grain. It's about honoring the traditional practices and knowledge that sustained our ancestors for centuries. It's a chance to be a part of a movement that safeguards our agricultural biodiversity and connects us to our roots.