Navdanya in Dehradun : A modal of sustainable development related to organic farming

 सतत विकास की प्रक्रिया में योगदान दे रहा नवदान्या 

                                                                                            प्रतिभा कटियार

यहाँ होता है पारम्परिक तरीके से बीजों का सरंक्षण। जैविक खेती का एक मॉडल विकसित किया है देहरादून में नवदान्या ने, यह एक गैर सरकारी संगठन है तथा देशी फसलों व अनाजों की बहुत सी प्रजातियाँ यहाँ पर बने सीड बैंक में सुरक्षित रखी जाती हैं। इसकी संस्थापक डॉ वंदना शिवा हैं जिन्होंने पर्यावरण व् सामाजिक कार्यों में अपना उल्लेखनीय योगदान दिया है, इन्होने कई भारतीय बीजों के पेटेंट व सरंक्षण सम्बन्धी अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बहस में हिस्सा लिया ,जैव विविधता व् जैव प्रौद्योगिकी अभियानों के माध्यम से अनेक देशों के हरित आन्दोलनों को सहायता पहुंचाई, यह एक लेखिका व वैज्ञानिक भी हैं। नवदन्या के माध्यम से देश में मृदा सरंक्षण, जैविक खेती, बीजों का प्राकृतिक सरंक्षण, जलवायु परिवर्तन अनेक विषयों से सम्बंधित कार्य किया जा रहा है।
Navdanya : an organic farming and seed conserving foundation situated in Dehradun

Navdanya means “nine seeds” (symbolizing protection of biological and cultural diversity) and also the “new gift” (for seed as commons, based on the right to save and share seeds In today’s context of biological and ecological destruction, seed savers are the true givers of seed. This gift or “dana” of Navadhanyas (nine seeds) is the ultimate gift – it is a gift of life, of heritage and continuity. Conserving seed is conserving biodiversity, conserving knowledge of the seed and its utilization, conserving culture, conserving sustainability.

Some Features of Navdanya

Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread across 18 states in India.Navdanya has helped set up 122 community seed banks across the country, trained over 5,00,000 farmers in seed sovereignty, food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture over the past two decades,

and helped setup the largest direct marketing, fair trade organic network in the country. Navdanya has also set up a learning center, Bija Vidyapeeth (School of the Seed / Earth University) on its biodiversity conservation and organic farm in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, North India.

Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people's knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation and climate change.Navdanya is a women centred movement for the protection of biological and cultural diversity.

The concept of Earth Swaraj  
Seed Sovereignty (Beej Swaraj), Food Sovereignty (Anna Swaraj), Water Sovereignty (Jal Swaraj) and Land Sovereignty (Bhu Swaraj). We need once more to feel at home on the earth and with each other.

What is Organic farming 

Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. This however is achieved by excluding the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides; plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms. Organic farming benefits from the recycling and use of natural products. By supporting local, sustainable and organic farms in your local community you also support the larger community of which we are all a part. Organic farming is the way forward towards a healthier life and a cleaner environment. 

Food Crisis 

 
The recent years have seen a dramatic increase in world food prices, creating a global crisis and causing political and economic instability and social unrest in both poor and developed nations. Experts and scholars believe that the root causes for this global food crisis is the increasing use of bio-fuels in developed countries,; and an increasing demand for a more varied diet across the expanding middle-class populations of developing countries, especially Asia. 

Climate Change 

Climate change is a very real and current threat. In fact it can be considered to be one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet today. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. Climate change is giving rise to extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, floods and hurricanes and other such unnatural phenomenon. If we don’t act now, climate change will permanently alter our planet and our means of survival.