International Seeds Day: Conservation, Protection and Revival of Indigenous Seeds has become a need of the hour

Seed is life for farmers. Every seed's integrity and sacredness should be kept and conserved. International Seeds Day is observed every year on April 26th, 2022, to recognise the importance of seeds. This day is dedicated to promoting patent-free seeds, organic food and farmer rights, as well as challenging Order 81.

Background Information:
To regulate Iraq's agriculture, Paul Bremer, the administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, signed Order 81 on April 26, 2004. The Order declared war on farmers. "Farmers shall not be permitted to reuse seeds of protected kinds," says Article 14 of the statute. Order 81 modifies Iraq's 1970 patent legislation, No. 65. The most important aspect of Order 81 is the subject of 'Plant Variety Protection' (PVP), which protects the financial interests of large seed firms in the United States and Europe rather than biodiversity. Seeds must be 'fresh, distinct, uniform and stable' in order to qualify for PVP. As a result, seedlings registered under PVP will be pushed to proliferate by companies like the World Wide Wheat Company, Monsanto and others.

International Seeds Day's Importance:
Seed is considered to be the most essential and a basic component of agriculture. To a considerable extent, the quality of seeds determines the response of all other inputs. As a result, seeds should be free of all forms of private ownership, as well as any technology that threatens the planet's long-term viability.

To promote a food production system that protects soils, ecosystems and people's health. Strengthening local production, consumption and marketing of organically grown food and products is necessary not only to ensure citizens' health and wellness, but also to provide income to farmers, not only during this time of covid-19 crisis, but as a mainstream alternative sustainable, reliable, and environmentally friendly food production system.

Farmers will be able to save, exchange and share seeds. Organic farmers have no choice but to plant their own indigenous variety as a result of their experiences with the Green Revolution and GM crops. 

To promote organic agriculture and to support organic farmers who are working hard to produce poison-free, GM-free seeds and organically grown healthy food for today's and future generations.

To foster plant breeding and innovation in the seed industry by creating the greatest possible environment for global seed movement.

As a result, international organisations, activists, organic food growers, farm owners and farmers from all over the world should band together to advocate for patent-free seeds and biodiversity, as well as to educate about agricultural corporations' criminal practises and how their unjust laws have and will affect agriculture's future. Let us support and promote the preservation of indigenous seeds as part of our culture and contribute to the health of our planet!