SEPS runs one of the most important tribal seed conservation initiatives in the Eastern Ghats.
Paata Vittanalu Panduga (Traditional Seed Festival)
Every year, SEPS organizes the Paata Vittanalu Panduga, a large gathering of farmers celebrating traditional seeds.
The festival:
Brings together farmers from Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states
Facilitates exchange of 300+ indigenous seed varieties
Promotes awareness on biodiversity conservation
Encourages revival of traditional crops such as millets and pulses
The 17th edition will be held in 2026, continuing a long tradition of protecting indigenous agriculture.
Sustainable Organic Farming
SEPS promotes chemical-free farming practices that improve soil health, crop diversity, and farmer incomes.
Working with organizations such as WASSAN, SEPS has helped transform six villages in Sovva Gram Panchayat into fully organic farming communities.
Key activities include:
Training farmers in SRI (System of Rice Intensification)
Promoting natural fertilizers and bio-inputs
Establishing on-farm bio-input units
Supporting the Dhimsa Natural Farming FPO
The initiative also received ₹3 lakh support from ICAR-NBAIR to establish bio-input production units for farmers.
Livelihood Development & Market Linkages
SEPS works to strengthen tribal incomes and economic independence.
Since the 1990s, the organization has supported tribal farmers in forming cooperatives and farmer groups that allow them to sell produce directly to markets.
With support from Samata, tribal farmer cooperatives were able to access transportation facilities to sell produce in Visakhapatnam markets, eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices.
Today, SEPS supports:
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Direct farmer-to-market supply chains
Collective marketing of agricultural products
These initiatives have significantly improved income levels for tribal families.
Community Forest Protection & Environmental Education
SEPS supports forest conservation through community participation.
More than 25 Vana Samrakshana Samitis (Forest Protection Committees) with 2,456 members actively manage local forest resources.
Through these initiatives:
Over 3,500 hectares of forest land have been secured for tribal communities
Forest protection and sustainable resource use have improved significantly
SEPS has also trained 150 teachers to incorporate environmental education and biodiversity awareness into school curricula, helping young generations understand the importance of protecting the Eastern Ghats ecosystem.
Our Work
Supporting tribal communities and protecting nature in the Eastern Ghats.
Seed Saving
Forest Care
Our Gallery
Glimpses of Traditional Seed Conservation Efforts
