Wayanad Community Seed Fest 2026 begins

The 10th edition of the Wayanad Community Seed Fest (WCSF 2026) commenced at Athikolly Seed Village in Vellamunda, near Mananthavady, on Saturday (February 28).

It was inaugurated by Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes O. R. Kelu. The Minister emphasised the need to bridge the generational knowledge gap to conserve climate-resilient indigenous seeds and revive traditional farming practices crucial for food and nutritional security.

On the occasion, two tribal farming families were honoured with the Community Genome Saviour Award: Vellan Kakkottara and family (Kurichya community) and Mallan Thazhasheril and family (Adiya Unnathi, Pulpally), in recognition of their outstanding contributions to agrobiodiversity conservation.

The first day concluded with farmers, researchers and government officials coming together for two key technical sessions highlighting the importance of agrobiodiversity conservation and community seed systems, along with discussions on reviving pepper cultivation in Wayanad.

WCSF 2026 will conclude on Sunday (March 1).