Celebrating Biodiversity and Food Heritage: World Food Day at Kharamal, Bargarh

On October 15 and 16, the village of Kharamal in Paikmal Block, Bargarh District, Odisha came alive with a grand Biodiversity Festival organized to mark World Food Day 2026. Hosted by the local NGO Ahinsa Club in partnership with Rise Against Hunger India, the two-day celebration brought together more than 1,200 farmers and women members of 43 Self Help Groups from across the region.

Honoring Nature Through Traditional Worship

The festival opened with Gopuja, the traditional worship of cows, a practice deeply rooted in the agricultural heritage of the region. Cows were adorned with garlands and worshipped with incense and lamps. Women of the village participated enthusiastically, singing devotional songs as the community came together to honor the integral role of cattle in sustaining agriculture and ecological balance.

Showcasing Traditional Seeds and Local Foods

A central highlight of the festival was the demonstration of traditional seeds and local foods. Farmers brought indigenous varieties of paddy, pulses and millets, showcasing the rich agricultural biodiversity of the Bargarh region. Women from the 43 Self Help Groups prepared and presented traditional dishes encompassing all five food groups, celebrating the region's culinary heritage and indigenous food practices.

Live Cooking and Best Practice Sharing

Live cooking demonstrations of traditional recipes drew enthusiastic participation, connecting the community with its food heritage. Lead farmers, scientists and researchers shared best practices in organic farming, seed preservation and sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity for food security and environmental sustainability.

Honoring Food-Heroes

A special ceremony honored farmers who have been diligently preserving indigenous seeds and practicing organic farming over the years. These food-heroes were recognized for their vital contribution to safeguarding agricultural heritage and sustaining food diversity in the region.

Shri Pramod Pradhan, a respected traditional farming expert and the event's chief guest, emphasized that the country's food security and ecological balance depend on indigenous grains and traditional farming knowledge. He appealed to the community to continue preserving indigenous seeds and the traditions that have sustained agriculture for generations.

A Collaborative Effort

The event was organized under the leadership of Ahinsa Club President Shri Gopi Mohanty and Secretary Shri Siba Prasad Sahu, with support from Rise Against Hunger India and partner organizations including Pragati, NIRMAN and Bhittibhumi Seva Sangathan. The festival concluded with the distribution of indigenous seeds to farmers and a collective pledge to protect and promote biodiversity and organic farming.

Media Coverage

The Biodiversity Festival received notable coverage in regional Odia-language newspapers, reflecting the community significance and the impact of the event.