28.03.2026
At the district-level Kisan Sammelan in Vatada, around eighty farmers gathered at the home of Ratan Lal ji—a community member and a leading example of integrated organic farming and forest conservation. Through the dedicated efforts of his family, Ratan Lal ji has successfully restored and protected the surrounding jungle, weaving its resources into his agricultural practices. Soil tests from his fields revealed some of the highest carbon content in the district, a testament to the health and sustainability of his approach. At the end of the day, he generously shared a bag of “khad”—biomass collected from the jungle, along with some seeds he collected from the forest.
The event, hosted in his family’s courtyard, brought together people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. A central theme was the importance of learning from one another—sharing both challenges and successes—so that everyone could benefit from the collective wisdom of the group.
One of the highlights was the display of a seed bank featuring cultivated and wild varieties collected from farms and forests across the district, many of which were contributed by farmers present in the sammelan from their personal collections. Attendees engaged in lively conversations, reminiscing about crops from their childhood, discussing culinary uses, and exchanging knowledge about cultivation practices. The gathering fostered a vibrant environment for hands-on learning, connection, and inspiration.
One of the highlights was the display of a seed bank featuring cultivated and wild varieties collected from farms and forests across the district, many of which were contributed by farmers present in the sammelan from their personal collections. Attendees engaged in lively conversations, reminiscing about crops from their childhood, discussing culinary uses, and exchanging knowledge about cultivation practices. The gathering fostered a vibrant environment for hands-on learning, connection, and inspiration.
For more photos from the event, see the full album.