The National Centre for Biological Sciences and Bengaluru Sustainability Forum, are excited to invite you to the screening of "Seed Stories," a compelling documentary directed by Chitrangada Choudhury.

Film Synopsis: In a village in the Niyamgiri mountains of Odisha's Eastern Ghats, a heroic effort is underway: barefoot ecologist Dr. Debal Deb and his 3 member-team are conserving in-situ over 1000 endangered heirloom varieties of rice. Odisha's Eastern Ghats region is one of the world's surviving biodiversity hotspots, with Adivasi (Indigenous) communities like the Kondhs possessing the knowledge of growing multiple crops with their folk seeds, evolved over centuries. At the same time, the village and the wider region is irreversibly changing with the coming of genetically modified cotton seeds and associated chemicals. 'Seed Stories' takes a worm's eye view of how this is reshaping a geography and a people steeped in agro-ecological knowledge, and altering their attitudes towards farming, food and ecology. It invites audiences to reflect on the question, 'What is sustainability?'

42 minutes | Odiya, Kui, English with English subtitles | For more details about the film, visit: Seed Stories - Film Details

Panel Discussion: Following the film screening, we will host a panel discussion, "Agriculture for Sustainability and Food and Nutrition Security : Challenges and Solutions", with an experienced set of panelists involved in research and practice on different aspects of agriculture.

With a focus on how to achieve sustainability and food and nutrition security, the panel discussion will draw on the expertise of the panelists on addressing questions related to soil health, biodiversity, agroecology, economics, politics and international diplomacy of food security. It will also look at the role of different stakeholders - farmers, scientists, practitioners and the Government - to enable and support sustainable agriculture practices.

Panelists: Chitrangada Choudhury - Director, Seed Stories | Aniket Aga - Associate Director, Seed Stories | Debal Deb - Basudha | PV Shivaprasad - NCBS | Usha VijayRaghavan - IISc (*TBC) | Sangita Sharma - Annadana Soil and Seed Savers.

Moderator : LS Shashidhara, Director NCBS

Event Details:

Date: Monday, 5 August 2024 | Venue: LH1

Event Schedule:

  • Tea & Snacks: 4:15 - 4:45 PM
  • Introducing the Film: 4:45 PM
  • Film Screening: 5:00 - 5:45 PM
  • Panel Discussion: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

RSVP : Kindly RSVP here

We look forward to your presence and participation.