Indigenous Seed Exhibition Highlights Urgent Need for Action
Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (CEFHA) Trust Joins Oikotree in Organizing Seminar on Socio-Economic Empowerment of Landless Agricultural Laborers
Indigenous Seed Exhibition Highlights Urgent Need for Action
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India – November 27, 2024 – In a powerful collaboration, the Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (CEFHA) Trust, a member of Oikotree, joined forces with the Department of Psychology at Andhra University to organize a significant seminar on the socio-economic empowerment of landless agricultural laborers. The event, held on November 27, 2024, at the university’s campus in Visakhapatnam, also featured an Indigenous Seed Exhibition aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preserving local agricultural practices and seeds.
The Decline of India’s Agricultural Backbone
Agriculture, the backbone of India’s economy for over 10,000 years, once thrived on a cooperative bond between farmers and landless laborers. However, this vital relationship has eroded, deepening socio-economic disparities and creating a trust deficit.
Landless agricultural laborers, many from marginalized communities like Scheduled Castes and Tribes, form a crucial part of the workforce but remain historically neglected. This systemic disregard has entrenched cycles of poverty, disenfranchisement, and social injustice, threatening both livelihoods and the nation’s agricultural legacy.
With the rise of urbanization and the growing perception that agriculture is no longer a profitable livelihood, many landless laborers and farmers are abandoning their rural roots in search of better opportunities in urban centers. This mass migration not only threatens the nation’s food security but also exacerbates tensions in rural areas, where the disconnect between farmers and laborers has become more pronounced, leading to greater social divisions.
Bringing Attention to the Issue: A Seminar on Empowerment and Seed Preservation
The seminar, titled “Socio-Economic Empowerment of Landless Agricultural Laborers,” aimed to address these challenges head-on. The seminar spotlighted the urgent need for justice in agricultural practices and policies. Accompanied by an Indigenous Seed Exhibition, the event underscored the importance of traditional farming methods and the preservation of indigenous seeds to protect agricultural biodiversity and food security.
Dr. Sasiprabha Stanley, Director of CEFHA Trust, delivered a powerful keynote, emphasizing the disproportionate role of women in agriculture. She called for gender justice, highlighting that woman, who form the backbone of the sector, are systematically excluded from land ownership. Dr. Sasiprabha urged governments to redistribute unused wasteland to women agricultural laborers, ensuring their economic upliftment and securing their livelihoods.
She also proposed the establishment of community-run indigenous seed barns to preserve traditional seeds, fostering life-flourishing agricultural practices rooted in local heritage. Further, she recommended scaling up micro-thrift initiatives, proven successful in pilot projects—to boost sustainable incomes for agricultural workers.
The seminar featured distinguished guests, including Prof. Dr. Sasibhusana Rao, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, and Prof. Dr. G. Nageswara Rao as the Special Chief Guest. Organized by Prof. Dr. Lilly Grace Eunice of the Agro-Economic Research Center, and presided over by Prof. MVR Raju, Head of the Department of Psychology, the event drew over 160 participants, including students, traditional farmers, and landless laborers, providing a vibrant forum for exchange and advocacy.
A Call for Action: Recommendations for Policymakers
The seminar and exhibition culminated in the creation of a series of recommendations aimed at government officials and policymakers. These proposals highlight the need for urgent actions to support the socio-economic empowerment of landless agricultural laborers and the preservation of indigenous seeds. Advocating for the recognition of landless laborers as essential contributors to the agricultural sector, the seminar stressed the need for policies that address their welfare, provide better working conditions, and offer pathways to economic independence.
Additionally, advocacy efforts are being planned to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous seeds, urging the government and relevant institutions to support seed preservation initiatives and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Oikotree’s Support for the Initiative
Oikotree extends its congratulations to Dr. Sasi Prabha, Director of CEFHA Trust, and the Department of Psychology at Andhra University for this timely and impactful intervention. By addressing issues central to agriculture and its workers, they have sparked wider conversations on the future of India’s agricultural sector, making a significant contribution to the discourse surrounding socio-economic empowerment, justice, and sustainability.
As Oikotree continues its mission of promoting justice as the heart of faith, initiatives like this one reinforce the importance of acting together in solidarity to address the challenges of today’s world. Together, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all, especially for those who are often overlooked. For more on Oikotree’s work, visit www.oikotree.net