The Seed Detective: Excerpt
Fortunately, many of these very earliest breeds of carrot are still with us and, regardless of what they are called, they are a culinary delight.
Fortunately, many of these very earliest breeds of carrot are still with us and, regardless of what they are called, they are a culinary delight.
Defending the native corn is a matter of life or death. To say that we are a people of corn is not a pretty metaphor, but rather, it is the state of things. Our life is associated with corn, and not just as a source of food. It defines a way of life and an affirmation of our relationship with Mother Earth.
Re-discovering how to cook and eat heritage barley – especially in the world’s biggest barley-growing nations of Europe, Australia and North America – could encourage farmers to grow special landrace heritage varieties. These could be grown in marginal climates and make a substantial contribution to ensuring global food security in the face of climate change.
It’s time for us to wake up and practice direct democracy – to join with others to stop further corporatization and regain control over our commons, our communities, our cultures and our economies. Because if we don’t, who will? Masahiko Yamada and the new citizens’ movement in Japan have come up with a few tricks we can learn from.
Nadimidoddi Vinodamma, ably helped by her husband Vinayappa, is modest about her achievement. Surrounded by a bewildering array of jowar, bajra, ragi, red gram, green gram, til, sama, korra, and other food crops in the midst of their land, Vinodamma talks quietly about how she is merely using knowledge handed down over generations, trusting the land and traditional seeds.
A unique forest complex characterises Uttara Kannada district, where women farmers have nurtured and intimately engaged with their forest home gardens (FHGs) for centuries.