Rahibai, known as ‘Seed Mother’ called for ready adoption of organic farming as a sustainable and healthy way of agriculture. Narrating her own inspirational story, she spoke about the change she could bring in her village after a lot of hardships.

“We worked on other’s farms and tyre factory before I started to make our own organic ‘ropta’ (sapling). I started distributing saplings in ‘Haldi-kumkum’ programmes but the ladies complained that the saplings died since there was scarcity of water. To overcome this, we collected cold stones and planted saplings in well-like small structures. To water the plants, we used drip irrigation technique with the help of saline bottles. Since then there was no turning back and today we have 3,500 women in our self-help group (SHG) that produce organic seeds and saplings,” Rahibai said.

The ‘Padma Shree’ recipient said her only motto was to make farms ‘vish-mukta’ (pesticide-free). “We buy ‘poison’ from market and this should stop immediately. Our houses should have kitchen gardens. This is the only way our next generation will be stronger and healthier. Earth’s atmosphere is changing because our lifestyles are changing,” said Rahibai, known for her unique ‘Seed Bank’ which has around 200 indigenous varieties.

Dr Chaudhari welcomed Rahibai with a memento. Commenting on the state of farmers, he said, “We learn the science and techniques that already exists. But there is a need to challenge ourselves and our farm techniques. The role of technology is important for farmers to get sustainable production. Farmers should make a blend of science and technology to make the most of it,” Dr Chaudhari said.

Dr Paturkar, said it was important to combine agriculture and agriculture-related businesses. “Livestock business, fish business, dairy farming and natural farming should be taken up by farmers. This will boost the farm production by upto 45 per cent,” he said.

Dr Kadu, elaborated on the services offered by PKVV. He suggested encouraging women’s self-help groups to form Farmer Produce Companies (FPC) and food processing businesses.

Dr. Vijay Laxmi Saxena narrated the ordeal of farmers and the hardships they have to face. ‘The condition of farmers in India is still fragile. Only hard work won’t produce sufficient income. Climate change is also taking its toll on the yield. Scientists from the country and abroad need to brainstorm on the farmers’ questions. The coming period will surely be a time of prosperity for agriculture and farmers,” she said. Convenor Dr. Prakash Itankar proposed a vote of thanks. After the inauguration, scientists, experts from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Central Institute for Cotton Research and Central Citrus Research Institute presented their latest research in the technical session conducted by Dr Rajkumar Khapekar, BOS, Member of Balbharti and RTMNU. A panel discussion of progressive farmers was held in which 16 farmers from across Vidarbha shared their stories of commercial success in farming and various agro-businesses.