When it comes to talking about indigenous seeds in Mawthong village, Skhendar, is the name people vouch for.

Skhendar, 51, is a Seed Leader and a resident of Mawthong village under C & RD Block Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. He keeps different varieties of indigenous vegetable seeds in a well-preserved place in the house.

“I used to work in a coal mine as a daily wager until 2011 but the situations were not adequate which forced me to quit the job. Initially, I started vegetable farming in 2 acres of land, and I was encouraged to see my first harvest and earn more than Rs. 6000. This has motivated me to extend the vegetable farming to another 3 acres with cabbage, mustard green and radish,” says Skhendar.

Driving through the road, it is easy to spot the vegetable farm of Skhendar. District Agriculture Officer (DAO) while passing through spotted his gardens and approached him with the idea of selling his seeds to the Departments. The DAO recognized him as an indigenous seed supplier since then.

Having known the success of this farmer as an entrepreneur on indigenous seeds, the FARM programme Team of Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), a partner of Caritas India met him and got to know more about his indigenous seeds. “Growing food was a necessity for me to sustain my family and I am happy to see how a necessity turned into an opportunity for me,” said Skhendar. Skhendar has been recognized as a “Seed Leader” by NSSS under the FARM programme.

Funded by Misereor, Germany, the ongoing FARM programme has been instrumental in reaching out to the fellow farmers in other project villages by sharing his seeds at a very cheaper rate. What is interesting to observe is that Skhendar cultivates indigenous seeds of cabbage which otherwise has not been reported by any partner in the region. Indigenous cabbage seeds are quite rare and while it is encouraging to see its presence in the district, it is equally important to conserve it. FARM programme under the current phase is promoting indigenous seeds as one of its major objectives.

Currently, Skhendar earns around Rs 1,00,000 annually from his vegetables and indigenous seeds combined. He plans to work harder and go higher while helping those in need. With this money, Skhendar is able to give a good life to family and make little savings as well.

Skhendar was among those rare resilient farmers who didn’t succumb to the threat of food security during the peak lockdown phases under the ongoing pandemic. He was able to manage and plant vegetables by following the protocols issued by the government and approximately 30 Kgs of different types of seeds were produced during the time. Presently Skhendar expanded his garden activity by planting carrots and he plans to cultivate ginger next year given its demand in the market.

The FARM team under NSSS is working on plans to benefit farmers its other project villages from Skhendar’s seeds. According to NSSS, Skhendar’s story has already inspired many and the partner is trying to identify more Seed Leaders like Skhendar.