Visakhapatnam: Araku Valley is gearing up for the 17th annual Old Seeds Festival, a major event celebrating heirloom seeds, tribal heritage and natural farming practices.
Organised by Sanjeevini Environment Protection Society, the two-day festival will be held on April 28 and 29 at Killoguda village near Araku Valley.
This year's edition is expected to be the biggest so far, with more than 150 stalls showcasing agricultural biodiversity and tribal traditions. The event is being organised in collaboration with institutions promoting sustainable agriculture, including AP Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Keystone Foundation, WASSAN, SAVE and Bharat Beej Swaraj Manch.
Farmers and seed conservators from six states - Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra - are expected to participate, making it a national platform for seed exchange.
A key attraction will be a colourful procession led by tribal women carrying traditional seeds in painted earthen pots and bamboo baskets. Tribal farmers from the Odisha and Andhra agency areas will also take part in seed exchanges to promote indigenous farming practices. Visitors will be able to sample tribal delicacies prepared from millets and wild leafy greens, besides watching Dhimsa dance and other cultural performances.
The festival will honour natural farmers and seed conservators with the Seed Saviour Award-2026 for their contribution to biodiversity. SEPS has earlier received the Plant Genome Saviour Community Award from the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
SEPS director Pachari Devullu said indigenous seeds played a vital role in tackling climate change. "Traditional seed varieties produce healthier crops and are more resilient to environmental changes than hybrids. Our goal is to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and prevent soil degradation caused by chemical farming," he said.