From a tiny seed grew Navdanya. They should be an inspiration to us all. They have fought biopiracy cases against giant corporations and have won, revoking patents on living things such as the Neem tree and basmati rice. They have trained 300,000 small farmers to farm organically with biodiversity after tens of thousands of farmers were committing suicide throughout India when their seeds and land was grabbed or destroyed by corporations and a corrupt government. They have set up 42 seed banks throughout 18 states of India to preserve heirloom seeds cultivated for generations by small farmers and to reject genetically modified seeds and pesticides forced upon them by Monsanto. They fight for water sovereignty, seed sovereignty and earth democracy. Their 40 acre farm and seed university has 1200 varieties of plants, is a living laboratory for nutrition, organic farming, composting, cooking, water conservation, rainwater catchment, solar technologies, medicinal plants, biogas, and is a market for farmers to trade seeds. They hold courses that teach practical knowledge and provide an intellectual forum and a peaceful, holistic setting for discourse on world issues.
I attended a two day conference held by Navdanya in Delhi on Gandhi, Globalisation and Climate Change. Although much was focused on what is wrong with our world, Navdanya provided a brilliant, shining demonstration of a sustainable world in itself. The small group who work for Navdanya are dynamic people, sensitive to the world and all living things. I'm priviledged to say I connected with many of these people in the short time I was among them and I'm inspired by their unflappable determination and clear vision.
www.navdanya.org
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