Looking for alternatives to Genetically Modified seeds, noted environmentalist Vandana Shiva’s organic farming initiative Navdanya has brought out seeds that are resistant to extreme climatic changes. Under ‘Climate Change’, a project launched in August this year, three seed banks have been opened in Jaisalmer (drought resistant crops), Kerala (saline resistant crops), and Bihar (flood resistant crops) to help with, according to Shiva, “various dimensions of preparedness in the face of extreme climate changes like the floods in Barmer.’’

According to Poonam Pandey, the project coordinator, the continuing increase in global warming is likely to cause more unpredictable climatic shifts. “Climate change will increase the potency of storms, floods, droughts and other weather disasters and to combat this we are conserving water prudent crops and other crops such as flood resistant, drought resistant and saline resistant crops,” she said. After extensive surveys and field work, Navdanya is now multiplying and distributing varieties of resistant seeds of rice, millet, bajra and wheat.

The process of identification, collection, conservation, and multiplication of these ‘naturally resistant seed varieties’ is complete only after the seeds are “scientifically tested and tried in out labs in Manali,’’ said Poonam. “The seeds are in no way hampered with or treated with chemicals but are tested on the level of their tolerance—for example, if in 20 years Delhi’s temperature goes up five degrees will the drought resistant seeds available with us will survive?’’

“Nature has provided us with great variety. It is silly not to make use of this natural diversity and instead use resource intensive methods,” said Vandana Shiva.

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