Devaram, a farmer from Jeoli village, began his agricultural journey at the age of 15, but his role as a seed conserver began in 1998 when he started conserving the DR1 landrace of pearl millet. By 2002, he had added DR2 to his conservation efforts, continuing a family tradition that dates back over 50 years: “The DR1 seeds were passed down by my father, who graded them carefully. I am simply continuing what my ancestors have done,” Devaram explains with pride.
Starting with just 100 kilograms of DR1 seeds, Devaram now produces and sells 400 kilograms annually, providing seeds to farmers across Rajasthan – in Nagore, Churu, and Sikar – as well as in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. His income has grown from INR 20,000 to INR 100,000 thanks to the high demand for his seeds, which offer three times the fodder compared to hybrid varieties.
