A dimension within Tribal Rights & Forest Food
Emphasizes the revival of traditional crops, food, and culture through farming and conservation.
150 voices speak to this
Positive
Overall Community Sentiment
AI-synthesised pieces woven from many community voices on this theme. They may contain errors or interpretation — they're a reflection of the stories, not a record of fact.

Farmers in Kandhamal advocate for restoring traditional, organic millet cultivation to improve health and revitalize local food systems.

Our ancestors lived long and healthy lives by cultivating traditional crops without chemicals and consuming nourishing forest roots, a practice many now wish to revive.

By preserving our traditional, rain-fed seeds and planting them with care, we ensure food for our families and fodder for our animals.

The people of Udulibeda emphasize the vital role of traditional knowledge in cultivating local foods, stewarding the land, and ensuring their community's self-sufficiency for generations to come.
We want to bring back past millets, cuckoo, mahua, etc.
— Gitanjali Bhoi · Sundargarh, 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
If we are to cultivate a second crop with zero irrigation, we will preserve traditional farming methods. We also request the government to allow us to grow wheat, gram, and mustard.
— Jayanti Bhagora · Malmatha, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
Ratnagiri Pradhan village and Rajgora Panchayat, Konda Kanjamedi block, Konagazi Konabala. The traditional dance and music from our past are currently disappearing. Therefore, we want to revive and preserve those dances, songs, and traditional songs. We also want to revive traditional foods like Kandula, Biri, Kuiri, Kangu by cultivating them. If we preserve this tradition, the quality of our traditional food will be beneficial for us. Therefore, we will continue our efforts to preserve them.
— Sidheswar Nayak · Nuagaon, Kandhamal, Odisha
The traditional seeds have diminished. Therefore, the traditional seeds from earlier times, give them back to us again, as they have been decreasing.
— Suresh Miniaka
The methods that our ancestors taught, which is farming, and now if we implement that, considering the market's demand, if we adopt our old methods, then we...
— Upendra Kumar Mahananda
Our ancestors used to consume grains like Kuri, Kudra, Humli, and other similar produce. Those grains are now gone. If the government conducts a survey/preservation effort for them, it would be very beneficial for our people in the future, meaning there would be no illnesses or similar problems.
— Mohan AHARI · Udaipur, Rajasthan
But we need to protect the traditional farming that was done before.
— Niranjan Bisi · Bissamcuttack, Rayagada, Odisha
The inherited seeds of gram, shiyali jowar, which were sown as a second crop in traditional farming methods and were very good for nutrition, are decreasing today. Efforts should be made to save them. The government should provide encouragement.
— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
We want to preserve rain-fed crops like maize and jute, which are part of our old heritage, for future generations.
— bachcha lal · Shahganj, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
I want to bring back our old food, which is Mahula and Kakua. That will benefit us greatly.
— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha
Here, our ancestors used to cultivate sava, medon, mijhari, and kodo, whose rice and bread were eaten. Today, they are slowly disappearing. Therefore, we should preserve them so that they remain a part of our lives forever. These are very nutritious and powerful food items.
— Ram Kumari
We will cultivate pulses using very old traditional methods, so that we can use them in our diet.
— Pushpalata Surtange · Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh
Our traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, Maize, Jowar, Bajra, Kangni, Rahar, and Kurthi should be included in mid-day meals and the PDS, and if the government also promotes them, it can definitely happen.
— Rupesh Maravi · Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh
Pradeep Malik is speaking. And my Salaguda Panchayat. And the programs we had in the past, meaning, in the past people used to eat ragi, ragi kudi and this wild yam, they used to eat all these. We are trying to bring this cultivation back again. It would be good if this came back.
— Manu Digal · Kandhamal, Odisha
We want to preserve rainfed farming, including maize, millet, and barley, for our own generation.
— bachcha lal · Shahganj, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
Kodamal district Monakarna Court Dhansingh. In our current area, the Kohiri and Kangu that used to grow are not available now. We are trying to revive them, and we are definitely starting them.
— Sasmita Mallick · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
Previously, we used to cultivate all crops like moong, urad, and kulthi, and we want to continue doing so in the future.
— Jyoti Senapati
We save and sow our traditional seeds. Such as chickpea, sorghum, Bhadi, pearl millet, etc.
— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh
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
The local seeds in rural areas, such as Kuri corn, Kang, Bawaata, etc., should be protected by the government, and they are most important for this soil according to our ancient tradition.
— Anil Pargi · Cheekhli, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
Old seeds should be preserved using organic fertilizer, and traditional farming should be practiced following natural methods. This can benefit the agricultural sector.
— Mohan AHARI · Sarera, Udaipur, Rajasthan
We will practice traditional farming and save seeds for next year.
— Sathimambalaka · Tado, Rayagada, Odisha
We cultivate paddy, wheat, and pulses in our village and want to preserve this as a heritage.
— bachcha lal · Shahganj, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
We should still cultivate Saav Medon Mijhari, which has been passed down since ancient times. Our ancestors used to farm without fertilizer, and by eating it, they remained strong, healthy, and powerful. Therefore, these seeds should be preserved even today.
— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
I want to preserve traditional farming by cultivating pulses and carry this tradition forward.
— Pushpalata Surtange · Baloda Bazar, Chhattisgarh
If we are to grow a second crop with zero irrigation, then we will also conserve using traditional farming methods, and we can use wheat, gram, and mustard in conservation.
— Bhagora kanti Lal · Malmatha, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
In ancient times, in previous eras, people collected nutritious foods like ragi, millet, etc., from the forest, ate them to stay healthy and strong, and lived for a long time. If farmers or tribal community people cultivate those essential crops of those ancient times again, it will guide them towards the development of their life's values in the future.
— Dillip pujari · Phiringia, Kandhamal, Odisha
Other crops should be promoted, and traditional farming should be promoted.
— SHIVRAM YADAV · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
If we are to grow a second crop from scratch, we will conserve traditional farming methods.
— Bhagora kanti Lal · Chhapi, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
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
Our traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, maize, Rahar, Kurthi, chickpeas, and other pulses should also be given in schools and Anganwadi centers under the Midday Meal Scheme, and they should also be promoted by the government.
— Rupesh Maravi · Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh
If it has started, say yes. We want to grow our old seeds again so that there is no problem for the coming generation, and we are also thinking of keeping them safe.
— Hariparkash kharadi · Deri, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Non-irrigated crops like maize, jute, and various other types that we want to preserve for our coming generation.
— bachcha lal · Shahganj, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh
If we are to cultivate a second crop with zero irrigation, then we will conserve using traditional farming methods. Wheat, chickpea, and mustard can also be used for conservation.
— Bhagora kanti Lal · Malmatha, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
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
We would like to start a business of indigenous paddy rice from our region.
— Manoj Kumar soy · Seraikela-Kharsawan, Jharkhand
Earlier, we used to store our grains in traditional bins. At that time, the crop used to grow well. But now, if we keep the seeds in steel bins, they are not sprouting. So, we want to return to our old ways.
— Hariparkash kharadi · Katarwas Khurd, Udaipur, Rajasthan
I want to bring back the medicinal items, food items, and root vegetables found in our forest, so that they do not disappear.
— Laxmi Bagh · Gandhinagar, Rayagada, Odisha
If we cultivate a second crop with zero irrigation, we will also practice conservation through traditional farming methods. Wheat and gram are among the most important crops for conservation.
— Laxmanlal