The North Karnataka network was initiated out of a realization that it is important to sustain the work begun in Thalli and Kanakapura taluk, which had brought demonstrable benefits to small and marginal farmers. When GREEN Foundation began its work in 1992, it had no pre-defined formats. The initial programme had very few supporters, lesser participants and almost no resources. There was also no precedent to follow. A decade later, the situation is different and conservation of agro-biodiversity has grown from an activity involving a few farmers to a statewide programme. A part of the growth was consciously planned, while the rest has evolved down the years.
As part of its planned growth, GREEN Foundation established a seed bank network in 2001, in collaboration with a 11 like minded NGOs in the 9 districts of Karnataka – Bijapur , Bagalkot, Gadag, Dharwad, Belgaum, Koppal, Haveri, and Raichur- comprising of 35 talukas.
Farmer’s group formation was another intervention strategy which resulted in the formation of 22 farmers groups including men and women. Four Seeds banks namely Nidenegelu, Chinnekatte, Muttagi, and Kamadhenu Seed Bank in the network area started in the beginning are working very well with lots of crop diversity. The sustainable agricultural practices(SAP) are coordinated with these groups and they have been capacitated in the process of seed conservation, seed treatment and germination, rain water harvesting, preparation of panchagavya , vermicompost preparation etc. Rare varieties are identified in the network area and conserved in the gene bank by the group members.
Crop diversity in the network area
Agro biodiversity grown in different seasons :
Kharif season:
1. Bajra - 3 local varieties: Mullu sajje, Sanna sajji, Kona sajje
2.
Navane(Fox tail millet): 2 varieties: Araka and kichadi
3. Maize: 2 local varieties: bili gonjala and Halu gonjala
4. Green gram: 3 varieties: Tingal hesaru, Kappu Hesaru, Jawari hesaru
5. Cowpea (Alasande): 3 varieties: Beli alasandi, Kempu alasande, Jawari sanna
6. Red gram: 3 local varieties: Jawari togari, Barsi togari and Kari togari
7. Ground nut: 2 local varieties: Habbu senga and Gejji senga
8. Horse gram: 3 local types: Beli hurulle, Kempu huruli and Kari huruli
9. Mothbeans: 2 varieties: Jawari mukani, Adakal Mukani
10. Niger- one local variety:Black (Kaarellu)
11. Sesame: two varieties: White and black
12. Linseed: one variety
Rabi season:
1. White Jowar- 9 local varieties- Muguthi, Doni jola(M35-1), Prakash barshi, kagimoti Jola, Sakrimukri Jola, Kadubina jola, Bidarkundi chandaki, Mevina Jola, gangawati jola
2. Red Jowar - one variety
3. Pop Jowar - one variety
4. Safflower: 2 local varieties- Talikoti and Doni sal
5. Wheat - Jave godhi: 3 varieties: Jeerige kalu, Jawari dappa, gidda Jawe godhi
6. Local wheat – 3 varieties- Kirti, Jawari godhi and Sonar
7. Chickpea- 2 varieties: Jawari and Annigeri
8.
Mustard- one local variety
9. Saumf: one variety: vasani sanna
10. Onions: 04 varieties: Pusa red, Beli gadde. Nasik, Rose gaddi
11. Red chillies: 4 varieties local variety (mild red and hot), Byaadagi, Gunturu, Paatli kai
12. Garlic – 2 varieties: Bili ballolli and kempu ballolli
Vegetables: Across seasons, but mainly Kharif.
1. Field beans: 4 local varieties: Kari avare, Bili avare, Mel avare, Halachina avare
2. Brinjal: 6 varieties: Bile badani, Mudhol badani, Hasiru badane, Maiko badani, Enagai (mulla) badani, Ginja badani
3. Cucumber: 3 varieties: Hasiru kumbala, Dodda kumbala, Isu kumbala
4. Ridge guard: 2 varieties: Sabala kai, Dabba kai
5. Bitter guard: one local variety
6. Snake guard: one variety
7. Sponge guard: Tuppada hirekai
8. Tomatoes: 3 varieties: Chappara badani(cheery), Hasiru chatni kai, totada tamati.
9. Okra : 3 varieties: Solapur, mulla bendi and Velvet bendi
10. Cluster beans (Chavali): 3 varieties: Jawari sanna, gavri chavali and bili chavali
11. Drumstick (Nugge kai)
12. Chakoti palle
13. Spinach (Palak)
14. Fenugreek (Menthe palle)
15. Amaranthus (Kirasali palle)
16. Sabbasagi palle
17. Lemon: 3 main varieties: Atharga, Rasa nimbe, hasar nimbe
18. Amaranthus- red and green
19. Little gourd (Thonde kai) : one variety as default creeper
20. Coriander leaves and seeds :Curry leaves: 2 varieties: jawari and Suvasini
