In India, there is a large reservoir of knowledge systems – technologies as well as trained craftsmen and scholars who possess knowledge in various branches of traditional Indian sciences and technologies. These span vast and varied areas like agriculture, architecture, metallurgy, metal working, healthcare systems and textiles, and also various theoretical areas ranging from astronomy and mathematics to grammar, logic and linguistics. Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS) is a registered independent trust working in the areas of organic agriculture, biodiversity conservation and Vrkshayurveda (the ancient Indian plant science). In an exclusive interaction with The Organic Magazine, Dr Vijayalakshmi Balasubramanian, Co-Founder, CIKS elucidates on the Centre’s vision and its efforts to work with farmers to preserve the seed diversity of India.
What was the inspiration behind setting up Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS)?
It all started way back in 1980. We were a small group of friends from IIT and other various Universities. Everything started in the study groups where we use to read up on information, do some research on traditional sciences and technologies in various areas like agriculture, on what can be relevant in today’s context. How can we use it for the betterment of the people? It was amazing to see the kind of information we were able to dig up and we really felt that the foundation of any programme should be based on our science and technology. We are not against adopting concepts coming from the West or elsewhere but it should be done after careful consideration of what we already have and then link it up with indigenous technology.
Then we started bringing out a bulletin based on what all information we could collect and we set up an organisation called the Patriotic and People oriented Science and Technology. There was also a book written by late historian Dharam Pal, he was a big influence for us and he was alive that time so we used to have a lot of discussions with him.
I met my husband and co-founder Balasubramanian in the study group and we both worked in many other companies before starting the CIKS. In 1995 we decided that we should launch something of our own in relation to science and technology and do something on the ground. That’s when we set up CIKS.
What were the initial challenges ?
We had limited resources but we had age and confidence in us and we jumped into it. It was not an easy path. Today everybody talks about the organic sector, but 25 years ago, the scenario was different, we were labelled as fools for venturing into it. We had a lot of support and backing from family otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. Initially when we started working in the villages, we used to invite 50-60 farmers but only 5 or 6 would turn up. Funding was an issue but things improved gradually. It was a real struggle but looking back it was a lovely journey.
What made you turn your attention to traditional grains? Your thoughts on the new Farm Bill?
CIKS’s main aim was to improve the farmers livelihood, finances, security thru increasing their capacity and increasing the indigenous knowledge, how to grow paddy and rice organically etc. Once when I was doing a workshop, I saw a bunch of farmers talking to themselves in groups and they were having some conversation, I was curious to know what they were talking about so I went and inquired and then they opened up and told me that look madam if we have to do real organic farming and be successful, we need to have access to some of the indigenous grains that we had earlier. This set me thinking and that’s when this whole journey to conserve traditional varieties started. We then started approaching the agri universities for these grains. We were told that the grains they had in their banks were only for research and not for the farmers, ironic considering that they had procured these grain varieties from the farmers themselves.
So we ourselves travelled to very remote places and approached farmers who had these grains – those who had kept it for their personal use and had stored these grains. A few farmers had also categorised them and had even documented the characteristics of the grains and also had researched them… that’s when the whole thing started and we started conserving these seeds in our farms with help of some farmers. What started with seven varieties in 1995 has now grown to more than 130 varieties.
This is something I have learnt at the farms. The farmers are the scientists. They have done plant breeding and learned so many things by trial and error and we haven’t given them the due credit. We should learn from them. Recently the agriculture minister Tomar has introduced the farm bill. I am very delusional about it, and will stay away from the question.
What is the future road map of CIKS?
CIKS started as a not for profit fund. Not just CIKS, we have expanded as a family of organisations, we support 20+ farmer organisations. We also have a private limited company which I feel is a sustainable solution. It is for marketing consultancy, so this does marketing of traditional variety. We see how we can promote sustainable agriculture, the cultivation of traditional varieties and how farmers can get a good price. There is a constant market for it, so there should be a constant supply. In the next 3-4 years, we should have 25-30% of these varieties in consumer markets so consumers demand will lead to farmers getting a good price.
We need to help increase the capacity of farmers to cultivate more, and cultivate an interest to take up organic farming, and clear their misconception that there is less money in it. We definitely need a certification system. Self certification would work when you know the cultivator. In the name of organic, there are many frauds, and we should be aware. We are organising a webinar soon on the same – Is certification necessary and is it affordable by Indian farmers?
