Seeds of Hope in the Saline Soil of Sundarbans — Mukti’s Community Seed Bank Initiative

Every year, vast areas of the Sundarbans face the harsh impacts of climate change — cyclones, tidal surges, and floods. The intrusion of saline water destroys soil fertility, severely affecting the region’s main livelihood: agriculture. With each farming season, local farmers struggle to restart cultivation on their damaged lands.

In search of a sustainable solution, the farmers began discussions with Mukti NGO. Through a series of community meetings, they realized that a seed preservation and exchange system could help them overcome the recurring crisis.

When floods destroyed all seeds during the first year, Mukti extended support by providing new seeds and essential materials. Soon after, three seed banks were established across the villages of Herambagopalpur region. The system operates on a simple rule — any farmer borrowing seeds from the bank must return double the quantity after harvest. This ensures a steady supply of seeds and allows other farmers to benefit in the future.

The initiative runs entirely on an exchange model, with no monetary transactions involved. If a farmer’s seeds are lost or damaged, they can return another variety instead. Additionally, Mukti provides training on organic farming, seed preservation, and pest and disease management, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.

Now running successfully for two to three years, the initiative has become a lifeline for local farmers. Even during recent heavy rains that damaged many crops, farmers turned to these seed banks for help. By accessing stored seeds and returning to cultivation, they are sowing not just crops — but new seeds of hope in the saline soil of the Sundarbans.