Mon Jun 23 22:49:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

A four-day “Beej Utsav” (Seed Festival) was held in the tribal region spanning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, highlighting the importance of indigenous seeds for sustainable agriculture. Over 9,400 tribal community members participated in activities aimed at preserving traditional seeds and raising awareness about seed heritage, biodiversity, and climate consciousness. The festival, organized by community-led institutions with support from a voluntary group, emphasized the need for farmers to reclaim seed sovereignty amidst the dominance of market-driven hybrid seeds with associated health risks and costs. The event showcased rare and forgotten varieties of indigenous grains, pulses, vegetables, and fruits.

**News Article:**

**Tribal Communities Reclaim Seed Sovereignty at ‘Beej Utsav’**

**JAIPUR, June 24, 2025** – Thousands of tribal community members from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat recently gathered for the “Beej Utsav” (Seed Festival), a four-day event dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous seeds for agricultural sustainability.

Over 9,400 participants, including women and children, engaged in activities like “Beej Samvad” (seed dialogue), biodiversity fairs, and seed ball making, learning techniques to preserve seeds and understanding their vital role in climate resilience and food security. The festival showcased a diverse range of traditional seeds, including rare grains like Doodh Mogar maize, Kali Kamod paddy, Dhimri paddy and indigenous vegetables like Karingda(wild melon).

Organized across 60 village panchayats by community-led institutions, the festival emphasized the importance of seed heritage and biodiversity. “Beej Mitra” (seed friend) and “Beej Mata” (seed mother) awards were given to exemplary farmers who are actively preserving seeds.

Jayesh Joshi, Secretary of Vaagdhara, a Banswara-based voluntary group supporting the initiative, stressed that seeds are not just the foundation of farming but represent identity, life, nutrition, culture, and climate resilience within tribal traditions. “When nearly 70% of small farmers depend on market-driven hybrid seeds, ‘Beej Utsav’ is a powerful reminder to reclaim our seed sovereignty,” Joshi stated.

Organizers highlighted concerns that market-driven seeds often come with chemical inputs, health risks, and unsustainable costs. They encouraged farmers to return to community-led and culturally grounded action as a way to address climate change and ensure food security. The “Beej Utsav” is hoped to be a catalyst for rebuilding community-led seed systems, ensuring the preservation of traditional knowledge and agricultural practices for future generations.

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