Odisha Launches SOP for Landrace Seed Conservation
Odisha introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to conserve traditional seed varieties called landraces. This step aims to protect agrobiodiversity and empower smallholder farmers by integrating these seeds into formal systems. The SOP under the ‘Shree Anna Abhiyan’ prioritises farmers’ knowledge and community management over industrial seed dominance.
About Landraces
Landraces are traditional crop varieties developed over generations through natural adaptation and farmers’ selection. They are genetically diverse and suited to local climates and soils. Unlike uniform high-yielding varieties, landraces offer resilience to pests, climate stress, and require fewer external inputs. They are vital for sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
Challenges from Modern Agriculture
The Green Revolution promoted high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and standardised seeds. This caused genetic erosion and loss of many landraces. Odisha, like much of India, experienced a decline in traditional seed diversity. The shift towards uniform cropping reduced on-farm genetic variety and weakened community seed systems.
Key Components of the SOP
The SOP outlines a detailed plan to identify, conserve, and scale traditional seeds through community participation and science. It includes:
- Surveying agro-biodiversity hotspots to document landraces valued for taste, yield stability, pest resistance, and nutrition.
- Creating Crop Diversity Blocks (CDBs) at sub-district levels to conserve and multiply seeds.
- Establishing Community Seed Centres (CSCs) managed by farmer groups and women’s self-help groups.
- Registering landraces digitally with data on morphology, location, and traditional uses.
- Conducting participatory varietal selection with multi-location trials and farmer-led demonstrations.
- Setting field and seed standards through the Landrace Varietal Release Committee (LVRC).
Community Rights and Legal Protection
The SOP ensures landraces remain under community ownership. Seeds and planting materials will be registered in the names of custodian farmers or communities. Original local names of landraces are retained in official records to acknowledge farmers’ contributions. Legal protection will be facilitated under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFRA).
Current Progress and Future Outlook
Odisha has mapped and conserved 163 traditional varieties under the Shree Anna Abhiyan. Of these, 14 landraces are farmer-preferred and 103 are undergoing nutritional profiling. The SOP aligns with Odisha’s recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the FAO, particularly in the Koraput region.
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