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Pura Vida 2025 shines spotlight on Non-GMO seed challenges, champions farmer-led solutions
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Thursday, 27 November, 2025, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Bhopal, Indore
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The third edition of Pura Vida (“Pure Life”), organised by Action for Social Advancement (ASA) and Ploughman Agro Private Limited (PAPL), concluded in Indore with a strong call to strengthen India’s non-GMO seed systems and support regenerative and organic farming. The two-day event brought together cotton-sector stakeholders, including international organisations, apparel brands, seed producers and scientists, to discuss field-level progress and challenges.
Day 1 took participants to Deonali village in Barwani district, where residents welcomed them with traditional music and dance. A walkthrough of the village’s resource map showcased how sustained interventions—particularly water management and soil improvement—have transformed local livelihoods. Members also interacted with farmers and shareholders of the Nimad Farmer Producer Company Limited.
Local farmer Mansaram highlighted the dramatic shift over the past decade. “Ten or twelve years ago, we didn’t have a single tractor here. Sending children to study outside wasn’t even imaginable. Today the village has over 25 tractors, harvests are better, income is stable and nearly 40% of our youth are studying in Indore, Bhopal and other cities,” he said.
Participants later visited a stop dam built with ASA’s support and shared a traditional ‘dal, baati, churma’ lunch, followed by an impromptu archery session. The group then travelled to Sangvi Neem to meet farmer Anita Waskle, who has transitioned to organic farming with ASA’s guidance and now runs a ‘Kheti Badi Kendra’. She demonstrated her ‘Jaivik Ghar’ and vermicompost unit, emphasising how integrated systems build soil health and crop resilience.
Day 2 in Indore featured a panel discussion on “Strengthening Organic or Non-GMO Seed Systems in India”, highlighting persistent challenges in accessing pure, verified non-GMO cotton seed—a critical requirement for organic farming. Experts noted that the dominance of Bt cotton poses contamination risks and limits reliable supply for organic growers.
ASA presented results from its trials of over 30 non-GMO cotton varieties across India, showing that when farmers receive clean, region-suitable seed on time, non-GMO cotton can match Bt yields. The organisation also underscored the need for decentralised seed production, stronger traceability and farmer-led seed systems.
Ashis Mondal, Managing Director of PAPL, said, “The solution lies within our local systems. We must find it ourselves instead of depending entirely on the government or seed companies.”
Pura Vida 2025 concluded with a shared commitment to building resilient, community-driven organic cotton ecosystem.
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