VANDANA SHIVA & THE BEAUTY OF SEEDS

A few years ago I went into the Bryant Lake Bowl to view a movie on seeds called, "The Seeds of Vandana Shiva." Organic farming has been part of my life for a very long time. My grandparents were organic farmers, my parents had a garden, and when I moved to Minneapolis the food coops became an important part of my life. This is why I had to view this movie.

Vandana Shiva has been dedicated to saving seeds for a very long time. Her father was a forester in India. She eventually obtained a degree in Nuclear Physics and a Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Quantum Theory. She became a researcher for the Chipko Movement. These were the women in India who hugged trees in the 1960's, along with some men. They saved the trees from the logger's saw. She eventually founded her own environmental organization. One of her biggest tasks is saving seeds for future generations.

Monsanto had terminator seeds which a farmer could only use for one year. Farmers ended up in debt because of the pesticide costs, GMO use and terminator seeds. Unfortunately a number of them ended up committing suicide.

As part of her efforts to promote seeds, Bija Vidyapeeth (Earth University) was established as part of Navdanya's learning center. The name Navdanya means nine seeds and this is the name of her foundation. This organization set up 111 community seed banks of farms on the topic of seed sovereignty and developed sustainable and organic agriculture.

The Navdanya Biodiversity Farm is in Doon Valley, Uttarkhand, India between the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers. It is also a sanctuary for birds, butterflies and insects. More than 1500 varieties of seeds and trees have been developed on the farm. They teach organic practices and also have developed community. Seven hundred varieties of rice, 200 varieties of wheat and other seed bearing plants and crops have been developed on this farm. They also have an organic kitchen where community has been created on the farm. They are also involved with advocacy and political work through their Delhi office.

Keep in mind organic farms use manure which is rich, black soil. They plant a diversity of crops and use natural nitrogen sources for fertilizer, such as legumes to enrich the soil. My grandparents planted fruits and vegetables. Their legume was the green pea. India has the pigeon pea and lentils. My grandparents used manure and also had chickens and planted Christmas trees in a sustainable way. Their homestead also had a diversity of trees, plants and flowers near the farm house. Their farm was always successful because they used the techniques which have been around for centuries.

Vandana Shiva says India today imports millions of pulses a year to eat in their meals. Pulses provide nitrogen to the soil. Peas and legumes are example of pulses. Traditional, organic agriculture promoted pulses as natural fertilizers for the soil. Chemical agriculture uses synthetic fertilizers which create too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Organic agriculture creates the right balance because of the use of natural pulses. India used to grow natural pulses. They are using synthetic fertilizers to grow crops. They could be growing their own pulses and saving millions, besides having better health and crop growth instead.

On January 8, 2019 the Indian Supreme Court declared Monsanto can not patent seeds. This is what Monsanto has done illegally. The regional Indian governments imposed fines on suppliers of Monsanto Bt Cotton seeds. Monsanto illegally introduced Bt Cotton in 1998 without the approval of GEAC. Monsanto has been responsible for GMO's being introduced to India. Organic farming is India's birth right and what will be in existence when Monsanto's practices have stopped in India. Dr. Shiva says, "In a period of climate change, the world needs a bio-diverse system. The system of seeds based on mono-culture is wrong and inappropriate. The bio-diverse system has produced more food, and bio-diversity means that seeds must be in the hands of farmers."

In Hinduism there is a concept called Ishavayam. This means the Divine is omnipresent and takes infinite forms. The "Gita" and the the "Bhagavad Purana" focus on this concept. The Ganga is a goddess and Mother Earth (Bhumi) is a goddess. So farming should promote diversity in its techniques. This is in keeping with this concept of infinite forms. Protecting the environment is what Dharma is all about. It creates good karma. Organic agriculture also promotes the concept of "ahimsa": do not create any harm. Gandhi promoted organic farming and was ecological in all his actions and lifestyle.

Dr. Shiva is doing the work of the Divine Mother on Earth. She is a great role model in ecology and is a great female leader. Her work is very important in combating climate change. If you can't plant an organic garden, then try buying organic food instead. It is available in many grocery stores, food coops, farmer's markets and natural food stores. This small, great action is what Climate Justice is all about. You can create your own justice here. You do not have to wait for your government to do it when it comes to consuming organic food. Save those seeds every year and you be blessed beyond all measure.

JAI SHIR MA! JAI SHRI BHUMI! JAI SHRI DR. SHIVA!

Radhapriestess