Shankar Patnaik Honoured for Preserving Traditional Millet Seeds

Nabarangpur Nov 13   (UDN):  : Shankar Patnaik, a retired government schoolteacher from Modeigaon village under Kosagumuda Block of Nabarangpur district, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Seed Champion’ award in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the conservation of traditional Shree Anna (millets) seeds, protection of indigenous seed varieties and preservation of agricultural biodiversity.

The award was presented at the state-level conference titled ‘Strengthening Seed Systems for Shree Anna and Indigenous Seed Varieties’, organised on November 10 and 11 at the Mayfair Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar.

Around 70-year-old Patnaik has been consistently working towards the conservation and promotion of traditional millet seeds since 2014. Through his dedicated efforts over the years, he has successfully conserved 15 varieties of traditional finger millet (ragi) and six varieties of non-ragi Shree Anna.

Among the traditional finger millet varieties preserved by him are Bhalu Mandia, KMR-204, Bada Mandia, Sana Mandia, Mami Mandia, Jamu Mandia, Arjuna Mandia, Dashahara Mandia and Machha Dimba Mandia, along with several other indigenous varieties.

Similarly, he has conserved seeds of various non-ragi millets, including Suan (Little Millet), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Brown Top Millet, Proso Millet and Barnyard Millet.

Apart from preserving indigenous seeds, Patnaik is also actively engaged in cultivating and demonstrating different traditional millet varieties on his own farmland. Under the Shree Anna Abhiyan, he has developed 10 separate plots using the PVT method to cultivate, demonstrate and conserve different traditional varieties of finger millet.

Through these initiatives, he is playing a significant role in safeguarding the quality and diversity of indigenous seeds while ensuring their availability for future generations.

His dedication, perseverance and continuous efforts towards protecting traditional farming practices, indigenous seed varieties and agricultural biodiversity have brought pride and recognition to Nabarangpur district.

Patnaik’s achievement is expected to inspire other farmers to take an active role in conserving traditional seeds, promoting millet cultivation and protecting agricultural biodiversity. His recognition as a ‘Seed Champion’ stands as an example of how individual commitment can make a significant contribution to sustainable agriculture and the preservation of the country’s rich farming heritage.