In the heart of the Indian state of Rajasthan, two farmers - Devaram from Jeoli village, Nechwa, and Hanumana Ram from Sulkhaniya village, Ratangarh - are leading the way in conserving traditional landraces of pearl millet. With support from the United Nations Environment Programme, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and with funding from Global Environment Facility their work has transformed their communities and created a ripple effect across regions.
Devaram, a farmer from Jeoli village, began his agricultural journey at the age of 15, but his role as a seed conserver began in 1998 when he started conserving the DR1 landrace of pearl millet. By 2002, he had added DR2 to his conservation efforts, continuing a family tradition that dates back over 50 years.
“Farmers no longer need to travel far to buy seeds. They can get them right here in the village, saving time and money."
-Devaram, a farmer from Jeoli village
