India: Tribal 'seed mothers' confront climate insecurity

In the eastern state of Orissa, women are advocating traditional farming methods using locally cultured seed varieties and bio fertilizers. These women are spreading awareness about the resilience of these seeds against drought and water-logging.

Bhubaneswar: In eastern Orissa state’s tribal hinterlands about 200 ‘seed-mothers’ are on mission mode - identifying, collecting and conserving traditional seed varieties and motivating farming families to use them.

The seed-mothers (bihana-maa in the local dialect) from the Koya and Kondh tribal communities have reached 1,500 families in the Malkangiri and Kandhamal districts and are still counting. These women are formidable storehouses of knowledge on indigenous seeds and biodiversity conservation.

Collecting, multiplying and distributing through exchange local varieties of paddy, millet, legume, vegetables and leafy green seeds, the seed-mothers already have a solid base of 80 converted villages.

As they spread their message through the hinterland, targeting another 140 villages, the women also promote zero dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Considering that Malkangiri is Orissa’s least developed district, with literacy at a low 50% and isolated by rivers, forests, undulating topography and poor connectivity, the achievement of the seed-mothers is admirable.

Confronting climate insecurity:

The struggles of Malkangiri farmers with climate change is visible in the Gudumpadar village where seed-mothers are passionately reviving agricultural heritage and convincing the community to stay with local seeds and bio-fertilisers and pesticides.

"This is the best way to cope with erratic rainfall, ensure the children are fed and avoid the clutches of moneylenders," says 65-year-old seed-mother Kanamma Madkami of Kanjeli village, who has multiplied 29 varieties of local millet and paddy seeds.

Mangu Adari, 35, who owns less than two hectares of rain-fed land, some of it on a hill slope, is one of the new converts to local seeds. Last monsoon he could cultivate paddy, millet, beans and pulses on only half his land due to late and heavy rains. This year he hopes to have a surplus to take to the market to sell for badly needed cash.

"This is the best way to cope with erratic rainfall, ensure the children are fed and avoid the clutches of moneylenders" says 65-year-old seed-mother Kanamma Madkami

"Local plants are products of centuries of adaptation to local climate and soil characteristics, hence, indigenous paddy holds out to drought for 30 days compared to 15 days by high-yield hybrid varieties," explains Kusum Misra, coordinator in Orissa for Navdanya, a network of seed-keepers spread over 16 Indian states and supported by 54 community seed banks.

Similarly paddy grown traditionally in the lowland can survive two weeks of water logging while highland paddy varieties yield quick harvests in just 60 days, compared to the 125 days for hybrid paddy, Misra said.

Restoring agricultural heritage

Based in rice-rich Balasore district, Misra has collected and propagated more than 65- varieties of traditional paddy, including strains of aromatic rice, those with resistance to salinity (for coastal farming), floods and droughts and some with medicinal properties.

The traditional varieties respond to natural fertilisers and pesticides; and if seeds are preserved properly the farmer actually has access to no-cost farming. "When they own the seeds farmers can time the sowing or even resort to a second round of sowing if needed," says Kanamma.

"By keeping procurement prices for traditional varieties low the government discourages their farming; one reason being that rice millers prefer uniform sizes and varieties of paddy. Also, government hybrid seed outlets have sales targets to be met," says Misra.

Omprakash Rautaraya, chairperson of the Organisation for Rural Reconstruction and Integrated Social Service Activities, a non-profit responsible for reviving the concept of seed-mothers, says that methodical "seed mapping of local varieties and prioritising them on the basis of usage, cropping patterns and water requirement has made multi-cropping possible".

With a mix of six to 14 crops grown simultaneously, even during the frequent droughts, upland farms now harvest at least two crops.

Promoting indigenous seeds

Seed-mothers need little more than a backyard patch to propagate seeds and supplement family nutrition. Kausalya Madakami of Malkangiri’s Manga village developed 57 varieties of food plants and exchanged them too.

Annual community seed fairs, organised right after the monsoon harvest, help promote and exchange traditional seeds and knowledge. Here the seed-mothers cook and showcase various traditional items made from indigenous paddy and millet.

Annual community seed fairs, organized right after the monsoon harvest, help promote and exchange traditional seeds and knowledge

Tribal women are re-learning the traditional ways of seed preservation from the seed-mothers. Vegetable seeds are smeared with wood ash, bitter begonia or neem leaf powder and stored in hollow bamboo poles while paddy and millet are safe in jute bags hung from rafters. Pre-sowing treatment may involve cow-dung and cow urine or the use of ivy gum as anti-fungal and pest repellant. 

Poor seed quality marketed by the government is a real worry. The government’s National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in a status report on seed development released in March carried data showing falling rice production in six eastern states, including Orissa - the rice bowl of the country.

In Orissa, the seed germination rate for regular paddy is just 55% and may drop as low as 25%. According to the NABARD report, land under cultivation in the state is shrinking and poor quality seeds and increasing floods and droughts are making farming increasingly un-remunerative.

Well-known environmental activist and founder of Navdanya, Vandana Shiva, told IPS that "climate resilient seeds in women's hands are vital to climate security and corporations that have taken out some 1,600 patents on climate resilient seeds are bio-pirates". 

"Allowing corporations to hijack and monopolize seed supply is a recipe for food insecurity and climate insecurity," Shiva averred.

Source : IPS

Workshop on –‘ Local resource mobilization and Management’ & PMEL:

Concern Universal – Bangladesh organized a four days workshop on –‘Local resource mobilization and Management’ & PMEL. This was held in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India. Partner organizations from West Bengal and Assam send their 17 participants in that workshop. First 2 days , 13^th and 14^th June, 2011 were fixed for the trainings on - Local resource mobilization and Management. The training session was very compact and the subjects of discussions were very vast but participants were charged with the deliverable by the trainers. After the end of the trainings they got an idea on developing knowledge and skills for effective mobilization of human and other resources for enhancing Organizations capacity and also learnt its implementations.

There were many group discussions and group activities on finding gaps, making strategic planning etc. At the end of the session they submitted a draft action plan for resource Mobilization.

On15th June, there was a new session on – Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation Learning. This was new ideas to many of the participants. So , Masud bhai, trainer from CU-B discussed some preliminary concepts with them. There were discussions and brainstorming on issues like- development – its process and partners, assessing developments, participatory developments  and its type, participation in monitoring and evaluations, etc. On the last day, most of the issues was discussed and explained by another trainer, Sabrin Sultana from CU-B. She also conducted a session where the participants discussed their leanings and also clarified their doubts. Some times, Mr. Sufian also accompanied her. This session was ended on 16^th June.  

In these four days, participants learnt a lot as well as many new ideas came out. There was some signings, dancing, and some drama. Though, these participants came from the different places of Bengal and Assam but they became a team. Both the trainers and trainees stayed in the same hotels so there were discussion after the session. Sometimes, the debate lasted up to mid night. …the learning became joyful learning !

Reported by:

Snehamay Mondal,

RLSK, Gosaba, WB, India

Toxin from GM crops found in human blood: Study

Fresh doubts have arisen about the safety of genetically modified crops, with a new study reporting presence of Bt toxin, used widely in GM crops, in human blood for the first time. Genetically modified crops include genes extracted from bacteria to make them resistant to pest attacks. These genes make crops toxic to pests but are claimed to pose no danger to the environment and human health. Genetically modified brinjal, whose commercial release was stopped a year ago, has a toxin derived from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt). Till now, scientists and multinational corporations promoting GM crops have maintained that Bt toxin poses no danger to human health as the protein breaks down in the human gut. But the presence of this toxin in human blood shows that this does not happen. Scientists from the University of Sherbrooke, Canada, have detected the insecticidal protein, Cry1Ab, circulating in the blood of pregnant as well as non-pregnant women.

They have also detected the toxin in fetal blood, implying it could pass on to the next generation. The research paper has been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in the journal Reproductive Toxicology. The study covered 30 pregnant women and 39 women who had come for tubectomy at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) in Quebec. None of them had worked or lived with a spouse working in contact with pesticides. They were all consuming typical Canadian diet that included GM foods such as soybeans, corn and potatoes. Blood samples were taken before delivery for pregnant women and at tubal ligation for non-pregnant women. Umbilical cord blood sampling was done after birth.

Cry1Ab toxin was detected in 93 per cent and 80 per cent of maternal and fetal blood samples, respectively and in 69 per cent of tested blood samples from non-pregnant women. Earlier studies had found trace

amounts of the Cry1Ab toxin in gastrointestinal contents of livestock fed on GM corn. This gave rise to fears that the toxins may not be effectively eliminated in humans and there may be a high risk of exposure through consumption of contaminated meat. "Generated data will help regulatory agencies responsible for the

protection of human health to make better decisions", noted researchers Aziz Aris and Samuel Leblanc.

Given the potential toxicity of these environmental pollutants and the fragility of the foetus, more studies are needed, particularly those using the placental transfer approach, they added Experts have warned

of serious implications for India. Cottonseed oil is made from seeds of genetically modified cotton and thus Bt toxin may have already entered the food chain in India. "Indian regulators should be immediately called for detailed toxicological studies to know the extent of contamination of the human blood with Bt toxins coming from cottonseed oil, and also ascertain its long term health impacts," Sharma said.

Source:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/toxin-from-gm-crops-found-in-human-blood/1/137728.html

Divisional level workshop: “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation”

A One Day Workshop: “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” was held at the Hotel Western Inn Conference Centre, Khulna, on May 03, 2011. This programme was initiated as activities of “Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” project of Concern Universal Bangladesh. Programme was organized by Asroy Foundation, one of the partners NGO of Concern Universal.

Honorable Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, Mr. Talukdar Abdul Khaleque was the chief guest in the workshop. As special  guests were also present Mr. Sheikh Hemayet Hossain, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Khulna Division, Mr. Tarun Kanti Shikdar, Deputy Secretary and Director, Directorate of Environment, Ministry of Forest and environment, Mr. Molla Mohammad Shofikur Rahman, Associate Professor, Environmental Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Advocate Firoz Ahmed, Divisional Coordinator Khulna Division, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA).Mr.Masud Rana (Assistant Project Manager) and Mrs. Kanika Chakraborty   (Project Officer- Training) were present on behalf of Concern Universal. Mrs. Momotaz Khatun, Executive Director of Asroy Foundation presided over the workshop. Total 120 participants from different levels like:  GO/ NGO officials, Teachers and   Students of different schools and colleges and universities, Civil society, Elite persons, Local govt. representatives, Religious leaders, Journalists, Community people were there to grace the occasion. 

 Mr. Masud Rana (APM) presented a documentary on different types of hazard of Khulna division. After that, he discussed total project activities by showing slides in power point.

The Chief Guest focused on integrated initiatives on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Intercontinental joint planned would be initiated, he said.  The participants showed their active interest with similar concern. The programme ended with a colourful Pot Show followed by lunch.

Reported by:

Kanika Chakroborty

District level Workshop: “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” by SHAPLAFUIL, Bagerhat

SHAPLAFUL, a national NGO,in Bagerhat one of the partners of Concern Universal, Bangladesh was organized an workshop on  “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” on 4 May, 2011 at the Circuit House in Bagerhat Zilla. This programme was organized as activities of “Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” project of Concern Universal Bangladesh.                                     

Mr. Md. Akram, Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat District, and Mr. Gokul Krishno Ghosh Chief Executive of Bagerhat Zilla Parishad were present as chief guest and special guest respectively. Professor Chowdhury Abdur Rob, President of the SHAPLAFUL, NGO, presided over the programme. Mr. Masud  Rana ( APM) presented a documentary on different types of hazard of Khulna division. After that, he and Kanika Chakraborty (PO) discussed total project activities by showing slides in power point.  Mr. Masud Rana and Kanika Chakraborty were present on behalf of Concern Universal, Bangladesh.                                                                                                                                                               

 In his speech, Chief Guest emphasized on the significance of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. He thanked Concern Universal as well as SHAPLAFUL for taking such a befitting initiative. This is the time to work together for community and build their own capacity so that they can reduce the risk from disaster, he urged to the audience. While the special guest appealed the audience to be played sincere role of individuals on this issues. The participants showed their active interest with similar concern.

Reported by,

Kanika Chakroborty 

Training Course on “Climate Change, Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Popular Theatre”

                From 11-15 April 2011, five day long residential training on “Climate Change, Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Popular Theatre” was organised for five Nepali partners NGO’s staff at Chetana Kendra Training Center, Banepa, Nepal. Total 14 participants from five NGOs (JCYCN, HRELIC- Nepal, Hoste- Hainse, WCDF and HIMAWANTI) were attended this training. This training is the part of Concern Universal – Bangladesh’s “Capacity Strengthening on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)” Project funded by Cordaid. Ms. Sabrin Sultana and Mr. Abdul Hamid from Concern Universal-Bangladesh facilitated this training.

Trainee Groups

At the outset of the training, the participants indicated their expectations from the training. They expected to learn the following from the training:

·         Primary concept about Weather, Climate, Climate Change, causes and consequence of climate change, How to combat Climate Change, Climate Change adaptation.

·         Types and concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction

·         The process of Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction

·         National and International policies on climate change

·         Relation between the project and other current DRR and CCA activities being implemented in South Asia (By the Bangladesh, Nepal and Indian Governments or other NGO’s)

·         Popular Theater & it’s brief history

·         Relation between Popular Theater, Climate Change

·         Making of a popular Theater

            The discussion and presentations were interesting; understandable. The training course was mainly covered the issues of climate change, mainstreaming DRR and popular theatre. The major topics of the training were as follows:

1.            Climate Change: Weather, Climate, Climate Change, Atmosphere, Greenhouse Effect, Greenhouse Gases, Countries are the largest GHG emitters

2.            The expected impacts of Climate Change on South Asia: Impacts on livelihoods, Health, Education, men and women

3.            Linkage between Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change

4.            Climate Change Refuge

5.            Climate Change Adaptation and mitigation

6.            Some new concepts about : Carbon Trading, Carbon Credits, Carbon Taxes, Carbon Sinks

7.            National and International agreement, policy, and strategy on Climate Change

8.            Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Cycle of  Disaster Risk Reduction

9.            Difference between mainstreaming  and cross-cut

10.        Mainstreaming DRR and DRR policy

11.        Mainstreaming DRR at organizational level and successful steps of mainstreaming DRR

12.        Developing a Action Plan on implementing Mainstreaming DRR

13.        Popular Theater & it’s brief history

14.        Types & characteristics of Theater

15.        Short briefing on Popular Theater - Types & Characteristics of Theater, Factors of popular theater, Acting, Faith, Folk Culture and Different types of forms

16.        Popular Theater, Culture & Development

17.        Popular Theater, Climate Change and Adaptation

18.        Making of a popular Theater (Steps of making a Popular Theater) -

         (Group formation, Message identification, Way of sending message, strategy to raise the public voice, Story selection method, Character Selection, Sequence,  Selection of costume & Profs, Stage Decoration, Rehearsal & final presentation, Evaluation & Feedback )

19.        Express the conflict & social conflict by the popular theater

20.        Drama and the performer (Cultural Life, Responsibilities of a poplar theater performer, Sense of space, Follow & Observation, Presentation Process                   

21.     Evaluation -  (Discussion within in a group and after stage presentation discussion based on audience opinion)

         For easy & clear understanding, different methods were used in training sessions. Facilitators tried to ensure the active participation of all participants in the training session. Following methods were used: 

·               Lectures

·               Discussions (Groups, pairs and open)

·               Brain storming

·               Peer groups

·               Question & Answer

·               Games

·               Role play

Group Work

Group Discussion

The Strengths of the training:

·         Participatory methods were practiced.

·         Participants’ were very enthusiastic.

·         Learning material was supplied in every session.

·         Class room facilities and environment was friendly.

·         The training programme was well organized.

·         Support facilities were good

·         The facilitators and participants’ relations were very positive for learning.

Evaluation of the training:

After the closing session of training, all participants express their feeling about the training.  They said that they were very happy with the training, they mentioned that the training was good and easy to understand, that the trainers have vast knowledge about the content and that their attitudes were also very friendly. Participants were confident that they can apply the knowledge in their work in future. Although they were very happy with the training content, they also felt that the time allocation of the training could have been longer. They also suggested that examples from all over the world would help their understanding of the material. This suggestion was very helpful to the trainers who tried to use more examples from outside Bangladesh in the later training batches. Participants were also very enthusiastic to undertake the next training under the project and suggested that maybe it would be an advantage to have all of the training in one period.

        Most of the participants enjoyed the session & learned in friendly and joyful environment. The closing sessions of this training course were held on 15^th April. Training course was concluded by a closing statement from Mr. Tilottam Paudel, the President of JCYCN. He thanked and congratulated all participants and also thanked to the facilitators from Concern Universal - Bangladesh for organizing the training courses.

        The training course ended smoothly and purposefully after certificate given ceremony. 

Training Certificate

Meeting with Mr.Ganga Lal Tuladhar, the Honorable Education Minister of Nepal

(An effective advocacy meeting)

On 17^th April 2011 Concern Universal-Bangladesh, together with the six representatives from two Nepali local partner NGOs (Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal and Volunteer Aid Nepal) met with Mr. Ganga Lal Tuladhar, the Education Minister of Nepal.

It was an effective and fruitful advocacy meeting with top level policy maker of Nepal on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change. We proposed to the Education Minister to incorporate DRR and Climate Change issues into children education curriculum. The Minister informed us that he was a student of DRR and really wants to incorporate the DRR and Climate Change issues into their education curriculum. He suggested us to provide him with an appropriate guideline so that he can take initiatives. Local partner NGOs of Nepal are preparing the guideline under guidance of Concern Universal – Bangladesh to be submitted to the Ministry of Education of Nepal by the end of April 2011.

Tough the Education Minister mentioned that part of his academic is from DRR, he was very eager to learn from us about field realities. We informed him about the capacity building project on community managed disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. He was very interested and requested Cordaid and Concern Universal to continue these supports within the South Asia region because of location vulnerability due to climate change.  

Besides the above discussion, The Education Minister also agreed to provide regular supports to the Nepali local partners NGOs on education, DRR and Climate Change.

The meeting took place in the frame of the project “Capacity Strengthening on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation”, funded by Cordaid (Netherlands) working with 67 local NGOs in Bangladesh, India (Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal) and Nepal.

Reported By :
Abdul Hamid
CU_Bangladesh