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Neelam Datta began practicing organic farming at the age of 18. Realizing the crucial importance of organic seeds in agriculture, he started collecting them in 2008. His project, Pabhoi Greens, now sells local seeds and empowers farmers by providing free training in seed conservation. When Neelam Datta was in the eleventh grade, his father passed away. The late Dr. Hemen Datta was a medical practitioner-turned-farmer who cultivated rice on his farm in Pabhoi, Sonitpur district, Assam. "My father started farming in 1976. He passed away in 2001 when I was in the eleventh grade. So, I took over the farm while still in school," says Neelam, now 37. Around the same time, he read Rachel Carson's book 'Silent Spring,' which details the environmental harm caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides.
It took me two years to learn about organic farming. In 2003, witnessing the environmental damage caused by conventional agriculture, I decided to make the switch to organic farming," he said. Neelam continued rice and fish cultivation on his family's six hectares (approximately 12 acres) of land, but he also felt the lack of diversity in the fields. "While we were growing rice, we had to buy vegetables every day," he says. Additionally, monocropping reduces soil fertility over time and, due to the lack of crop diversity, decreases the natural enemies of pests, making it essential to combat them. Therefore, Neelam decided to cultivate vegetables as well. Neelam asserts, The backbone of organic farming is organic seeds.
He has successfully propagated over 800 varieties of organic high-yielding seeds that are locally adapted and climate-resilient. This is essential to provide farmers in his region with seeds of high quality and adaptive capacity. In 2008, despite the disappearing use of indigenous seeds, he decided to take charge. "I collected various types of eggplant and chili seeds from villagers and some elderly farmers. I also purchased some organic seeds from seed companies that imported them," he says. Neelam embarked on extensive journeys across the country to gather indigenous seeds of eggplants. Today, he cultivates them every year to preserve their purity and hereditary qualities, taking care of them in the fields. Neelam, a seed custodian, is also an organic farmer, cultivating local varieties of organic rice and vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, leafy greens, legumes, and fertilizers, which are directly sold in local markets and farmer cooperatives.
Pabhoi Greens boasts a genetic pool of approximately 200 species from the annuals of India and Southeast Asia, featuring aromatic non-basmati rice varieties like Sugandhit Nanya, Madhuri, and Joha, renowned for their fragrance and exceptional taste. Neelam has independently prepared various organic products used in research, and his collection aids in keeping his fields healthy and prosperous.
The Organic Cultivation of Rice and Vegetables: Neelam is not only a seed custodian but also an organic farmer. He has cultivated local varieties of organic rice and vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, leafy greens, legumes, and fertilizers. The fruit varieties consist of papaya, guava, and lemon. "We sell them directly to local markets and farmer cooperatives. For cultivation, we prepare organic vermicompost manure on the field. Apart from biopesticides based on cow urine and neem, we also prepare Panchagavya, Jivamrit, Sasyagavya, Amritpani, etc. We produce both aerobic and anaerobic compost and enhanced compost based on Trichoderma and biofertilizers," Neelam adds. Pabhoi Greens has a genetic pool of around 200 species from India and Southeast Asia annually. This includes aromatic non-basmati rice varieties like Sugandhit Nanya, Madhuri, and Joha, known for their fragrance and exceptional taste. The repertoire also includes glutinous rice, black rice, and soft rice. "From June to November, we cultivate rice on approximately 20 acres (half of which is on lease)," he mentions. About 40% of the locally produced rice is sold in the market, 30% is used for seed production, 10% for research purposes, and the remaining 20% is consumed by farmers, says Neelam. He has also practiced fish cum paddy farming, where both are cultivated together, and ducks are also raised. Neelam mentions that Azolla is left in the paddy fields to increase nitrogen content.
Conclusion: Embarking on the journey of organic farming at the age of 18, Neelam Datta recognized the pivotal role of organic seeds in agriculture. Neelam's resilience and commitment are a testament to his unique upbringing, especially after the untimely demise of his father during his eleventh-grade year. Dr. Hemen Datta, engaged in rice cultivation in Pabhoi, left behind a legacy as a physician-farmer, a legacy that Neelam promptly embraced. "Organic farming's backbone is organic seeds," says Neelam. He successfully introduced over 800 varieties of high-yielding organic seeds adapted to local conditions, ensuring farmers in his region have access to quality seeds. Despite challenges, such as the dwindling use of traditional Ahurlum seeds, Neelam embarked on nationwide journeys to collect and preserve them. Every year, he nurtures these seeds in his fields, maintaining their purity and hereditary qualities.
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