She employs time-tested methods of preserving organic seeds, enabling better crop yield in the bargain. Meet Sidhipalem Chinnammi of Andhra Pradesh’s Illayipuram village, who uses everything from bottle gourd to clay pots to keep her seeds fresh.
Sidhipalem Chinnammi, in her late 70s, radiates a sense of purpose as she sits on the porch of her modest home in the Illayipuram village of district Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. The village folks gaze upon her with reverence, and even as some approach her, she continues to meticulously arrange seeds into small, neat piles, only pausing to hand over a selection to their outstretched palms. “These are some of the finest organic seeds you’ll find,” she declares proudly, gesturing to the carefully sorted piles, “Bottle gourd, horse gram, millet—each one prepared for the upcoming sowing season.”
Chinnammi is a living repository of traditional farming wisdom, particularly in seed preservation. She employs age-old techniques, from using local herbs to creating optimal storage conditions, to ensure seeds remain viable.
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Her son works as a daily wage labourer in a nearby city, while his parents tend to their two acres of farmland—one wetland and one dry plot. Though they once relied on chemical farming to cultivate paddy, everything changed when they attended natural farming workshops organised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through its JIVA programme.
“We resorted to chemical farming because it seemed easier and more productive. However, the JIVA training showed us the value of returning to natural methods, just as our ancestors practiced,” Chinnammi explains.
Over the years, the widespread use of hybrid seeds and chemical fertilisers has destroyed the soil, leading to declining yields and increased costs. But, with a renewed interest in organic farming, Chinnammi stepped forward as a leader, preserving pesticide-free seeds using the techniques she learned from her grandparents.
Traditional seed varieties, she says, often outperform hybrids in terms of resilience and yield, provided they are stored correctly. However, organic seeds are susceptible to pests, making conservation a delicate and crucial task.
Chinnammi employs several ingenious methods to preserve seeds naturally. Using sun-dried bottle gourd, for instance, she hollows it out and fills it with seeds, sealing the opening with a mixture of cow dung and mud. This airtight seal protects the seeds from pests, keeping them viable for up to four years. Pulses, green gram, and other crops are commonly stored using this technique.
For seed-balls, the seeds are mixed with husk powder and other medicinal plants like holy basil and neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), to create a strong pest repellent. Clay, compost, and water are combined to cover these seeds, protecting and nourishing them until planting. Some organic elements like compost or coconut coir are also added to provide nutrition during storage. “This eventually results in better germination and good initial growth after planting,” explains Chinnammi.
She also uses clay pots, cleaned with cow urine and dung for added protection, which provide proper ventilation to the seeds. For enhanced security against pests, some pots are sealed with mud and grass, only to be opened during planting season.
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Each method reflects her deep understanding of nature and simplifies the conservation processes so that they are sustainable and can be easily replicated.
Chinnammi doesn’t just preserve seeds for her own farm. She generously distributes them to fellow villagers, ensuring they have access to high-quality organic seeds at no cost. “We are planning to buy these seeds from farmers like Chinnammi,” says Jagannath Behra, a representative of BREDS, an organisation that has partnered with GIZ to promote natural farming. “This will provide them with an additional source of income,” he adds.
Chinnammi also shares her expertise with younger generations, attending village meetings and encouraging the community to embrace traditional agricultural practices.
Returning to natural farming can revive the soil and improve harvests. Preserving seeds is the missing link. If we all take responsibility, we can solve this problem within a few growing seasons.
In a world increasingly dominated by industrial farming, Sidhipalem Chinnammi stands as a beacon of hope. Her efforts not only protect biodiversity but also empower her community to reclaim its agricultural heritage. With her knowledge and determination, she’s sowing the seeds for a sustainable future, one seed at a time.
Also read: From day-care to soil care – Chhattisgarh woman teaches natural farming
Shreya Pareek is a solution journalist based in Uttarakhand. She has extensively covered positive social change stories from South Asia. She is the founder of The Stories of Change, a publication that focuses on documenting lesser-reported solution stories from across the globe.
The lead image on top depicts Chinnammi’s precious seeds that have been preserved using various techniques. (Photo by Shreya Pareek)
