Genome Saviour Field Day Brings Experts Together at Athachi Farms
Athachi Farms opened its fields to the Genome Saviour Field Day & Agrobiodiversity Meet, bringing agricultural officers, scientists, researchers, and people from the community together. The meet paid tribute to the farmers who continue to protect indigenous seeds through generations of knowledge and care, keeping this living heritage alive for the future.
A Welcome and a Partnership
The programme began with an address by Sri Vinodh, Agricultural Officer, Elappully. Sri Varun, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Chittur Block, followed with an account of the initiatives under way across the block, and recognised the association between the Department of Agriculture and Athachi Farms. Sri Arumuga Prasad, Principal Agricultural Officer (Joint Director), District Palakkad, addressed the gathering on the significance of organic farming and the sustainability it offers to the farming communities.
The Genome Saviour Project
Dr Viswanath, Managing Director of Athachi Group, outlined the roles and ongoing projects of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Dr M Israyel Thomas, Professor, Senior Scientist and Head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Palakkad, who initiated the proposal for the Plant Genome Saviour Recognition at Athachi Farms, then described the paddy collection the farm maintains. He pointed to the strong scope for the Genome Saviour application and acknowledged the meticulous documentation Athachi Farms has carried out for the project. The recognition of such care, from those who guide agricultural research in the region, gave the morning its quiet weight.
Words of Support
Sri Biju, Elappully Panchayath President, and Smt Suma, Elappully Panchayath Secretary, represented the local administration. They pledged firm support to the conservation initiative and commended the farm’s contribution to the farming community around it. Dr Shudhodhanan, State Vice President of OISCA and a retired Veterinary Officer, reflected on the environmental work of OISCA and on the growth and vision of Athachi Farms.
The Land, the Water and the Gap
Several speakers spoke about the wider natural landscape that supports the conservation efforts at the farm. Sri Narayanan, a prominent organic farmer and pioneer associated with the Jaiva Karshaka Samiti emphasised the need to protect natural water bodies and the aquatic ecology on which farming depends. Sri Premdas, Founder of Palm Roots presented on the unique microclimate of the Palakkad Gap and the need to conserve its biodiversity. Further, Dr AV Raghu, Senior Principal Scientist at the Extension and Training Division at the Kerala Forest Research Institute, shared his insights on ecological preservation and sustainable land management.
Guardians of the Heritage
The gathering also brought together farmers who continue to preserve and share traditional seeds.
Sri Paul introduced a rare, indigenous paddy variety, known as the “Mother Paddy Plant”, offering valuable new technical and historical insights to the participants. Sri Nandhan gifted traditional paddy seeds of the “Happy Hill” and “Erumakali” varieties to Athachi Farms, adding valuable heirloom germplasm to the farm’s conservation repository.
Science in Service of the Farm
A research team from IIT introduced an automated weather sensor system designed for precision farming and the management of agricultural risk. Ms Anagha of the Farm R&D team then presented Athachi Farms’ ongoing efforts to conserve traditional paddy and crop varieties, highlighting how the Genome Saviour project has added greater structure and momentum to these initiatives.
The Field Walk
After the addresses, the guests were taken through the conservation fields, where they saw Athachi Farms’ efforts towards preserving heirloom varieties of paddy. The collection spans varieties from across the length and breadth of the country, including those native to the region, and the farm holds this agricultural heritage in trust for the future.
Vote of Thanks
Mr Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of Athachi Group, concluded the programme by thanking the dignitaries, guests and participating farmers for their presence and support. The day ended with a “Farm-to-Food” lunch, prepared with a generous share of farm-grown rice and organically cultivated ingredients. It was truly a perfect close for a day devoted to the seed, the soil and the table they meet at.
Guarding the Seed, Securing the Future
Every indigenous seed carries the memory of the land, the climate, and the hands that tended it. Therefore, as part of the genome conservation movement, the entire team at Athachi Farms strives to implement innovative methods to undertake this responsibility with great sincerity and enthusiasm. Preserving this genetic wealth keeps the future of farming rooted in its own inheritance.
