SRISTI

Daripalli Ramaiah, a native of Khammam district of Telangana known as Chetla (trees) and Vanajeevi (forest being). Ramaiah, a recipient of SRISTI Samman in 2015 was conferred on Padma Shri award in 2017 for his invaluable contribution towards extending tree cover and for taking

social forestry initiatives. Ramaiah proudly wears his main slogan, “Vriksho Rakshati Rakshitah” on his head as a crown, meaning “if you save the trees, they will save you.”

Balbir Singh Seechewal, known as ‘Eco Baba’, a recipient of Padma Shri award in 2017 spearheaded an anti-river pollution campaign in Punjab, India. He single-handedly initiated the cleansing and restoration of Kali Bein River, a 160 km long tributary of Beas in Doaba region of Punjab.

The local people realising the importance of this activity later joined hands with him. His selfless commitment to the cause was recognised through SRISTI Samman was in 2009.

Jagdishbhai, an organic farmer from Sikar, Rajasthan has developed a variety of cauliflower different from the rest, average weight of which is around 15 kg. He received Padma Shri Award in 2019 in recognition of his untiring organic farming efforts to produce unique and healthy

varieties of vegetables. He is also the recipient of SRISTI Samman in 2000 apart from several other prizes and awards.  The Limca Book of Records (LBR) after reading about the honour given by the Honey Bee Network, included his innovation in the previous edition of LBR.

(Late) Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya had developed a unique, very sweet, high yielding, carrot variety viz., “Madhuvan Gajar” with highest carotene content. This variety of carrot is longer in size and shelf life and rich in its colour as well.

The average yield of this Maduvan Gajar is very high (40 – 50 t/ha) and the maximum yield reaches up to 65t/ha.  Vallabhhai, a recipient of SRISTI Samman in 2016 was honoured with Padma Shri award in 2019.

Genabhai Patel, a physically challenged farmer has defied the odds by succeeding in promoting pomegranate farming in Deesa taluka of Banaskantha district in Gujarat and created a niche for himself and his region.

Genabhai Patel, a recipient of SRISTI Samman in 2015 was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government in 2017.   Fondly known as Anar Dada, he has also received several other awards from Central and other state governments.

He is the founder of Gujarat Lok Kala Foundation and has published 93 books on folk art and folk culture.

Problem
Conservation of agro-biodiversity and wild food resources is need of the hour for seed sovereignty and nutritional security especially during uneven rainfall. Certain paddy varieties like Raibhog, kolpi, kalbhat are sustaining and giving better yield and Hyacinth bean varieties like Kadu wal and goad wal can grow on residual moisture. So she intends to conserve and promote the production of these varieties.
Solution
Though an illiterate Rahibai has a deep understanding on crop diversity and with this knowledge she began her work 10 years ago with the aid of BAIF. She started with a nursery of Black berry (4000 seedlings). She then established a nursery of hyacinth beans (9 types)-5000 seedlings, Rice, vegetables, Beans landraces and shared them with 210 farmers in 7 villages of Akole Block. Now she is an active member of Kalsubai Parisar Biyanee savardhan Samiti, Akole and has established a community seed bank in her small house for conservation and revival of crop diversity and wild food resources.

At present about 122 landraces of 32 crops (Paddy, Millets, Beans, vegetables, Oil seeds etc) are under conservation. Also, she prepared and sold 4000 seed packets for kitchen gardens. She has expertise in the SRI method of Paddy cultivation, improved cultivation practices for Tomato and Hyacinth Bean, Participatory seed selection and Organic farming techniques. She is creating awareness in Women for participation in the Self-Help movement, Village sanitation, clean kitchen, Seed Conservation and wild food exhibitions. Awards and Recognition Felicitated with The Best Seed Saver award by Krishi Vidgyan Kendra, Bhableshwar. BAIF?s Best Farmer Award,2014-15 Appreciated by Dr.Prem Mathur, Bioversity International and Dr.R.R.Hanchinal, Chairperson, PPV & FRA, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi during their visit Jawhar block in Jan 2015, MPKV Rahuri scientist team visited her hyacinth bean diversity Centre.

Shri Sundaram has developed a technique for plantation where it is claimed that a litre of water per plant once in its life time is sufficient for it to grow. The technique involves ploughing the field up to a foot deep before the rains. The field is planked and pressed so as to break the capillaries soon after the rains are over. Water which has already charged the soil can not easily be lost by evaporation now. The plants that are to be grown are sowed in a pit six inches further deep and then covered with soil and watered (one litre) in October-November.

Idea is that unlike the plants sown in monsoon season; these will need to send roots deeper because there is no moisture in the upper layers of the soil. Once the plant catches the sub-soil moisture, it can survive till the rains next year. After which the tree sapling does not need any additional irrigation. Using this technique, he has planted over 50,000 local forest trees/plants in and around Danta region in Sikar district.

Uddhab Bharali of North Lakhimpur District of Assam is a voracious innovator having more than 100 innovations to his credit. He is not only an innovator of high caliber but also a person who encourages others as well to innovate.  He has, for this purpose, set up a research workshop in

his hometown to help local communities and industries to solve their technological needs. The Honey Bee Network and National Innovation Foundation have recognized his innovative potential and felicitated him in 2009. He has also received Padma Shri award in 2019.

C Mallesham, Sharajpet, Aleru, Andhra Pradesh, is well known for his invention of the Lakshmi Asu machinewhich reduces the efforts required by weavers in Pochampalli. It has helped reduce the cycle time from around six hours to about ninety minutes.  Mallesham, a traditional weaver, has made a device to mechanize the process of weaving and

to lessen the drudgery of women, who generally do this task.  The Honey Bee Network and National Innovation Foundation have felicitated Mallesham in 2009. A biopic on his life was released in 2019. He was also awarded Padma Shri in 2017.

Arunachalam Muruganantham, Pudur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is a social entrepreneur. His invention of low-cost sanitary pad-making machine has received overwhelming response across the country.  He is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about the unhygienic practices

prevalent around menstruation in rural India. The Hindi film “Pad Man” was made on his invention in 2018.  The Honey Bee Network and National Innovation Foundation have felicitated him in 2009 for his invention and he was honored with Padma Shri award in 2016.