The Deccan Development Society (DDS) is proud to announce that the Community Seed Bank of Maachnoor Village, Zaheerabad Block, Sangareddy District, Telangana, has been honoured with the prestigious Plant Genome Saviour Community Award 2022–23 by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Government of India.
This national recognition celebrates the extraordinary efforts of our women Seed Keepers, who have safeguarded indigenous crop diversity for more than three decades. Long before DDS launched the first Mobile Biodiversity Festival in 1999, these women had already conserved over 82 traditional crop varieties, laying a strong foundation for community-led biodiversity protection.
Honouring Our Seed Keeper Leaders
Heartiest congratulations to our inspiring farmers: Molgeri Chandramma, Hussengari Suryakala, Suryapeta Nagamma, Mekala lakshamamma and many other Seed Keeper sisters whose commitment to conserving traditional seeds continues to strengthen community food sovereignty.
The award was presented at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramanyam Convention Centre, NASC Complex, New Delhi, in the gracious presence of Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
This award belongs to every farmer, Sangam leader, and community member who has protected, nurtured, and passed on the seeds of our heritage. Their resilience and indigenous knowledge continue to ensure food sovereignty, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation for future generations.
DDS remains committed to supporting and celebrating the grassroots heroes who safeguard our ecological and cultural wealth.