Article and Image Courtesy : One World South Asia
Author : Tej Prakash Yadav
Vijay Jardhari, one of the founders of the Beej Bachao Andolan
Veteran activist and farmer Vijay Jardhari is on a mission to preserve India's native seeds in the hills of Uttarakhand. In times of fast waning traditional agricultural practices, his efforts aim to restore the nutritional value of food grains and reduce food insecurity.
OneWorld: The Beej Bachao Aandolan aims to make farmers self-sufficient through traditional agricultural practices. What made you start this campaign in Uttarakhand?
Vijay Jardhari: The real source of inspiration is the Chipko Movement with which I was associated. Chipko movement had a slogan "kya hain jungle ke upkar? Mitti, paani aur bayar, jinda rahne ke aadhar” (What are favours of forest upon us? Soil, water and air that help us live).