Wayanad is known for its rich diversity of nature, agriculture and people. This district is an abode of several indigenous people like Kattunaicken, Paniyan, Adiyan, Kurichyan and Mullukuruman etc. All these communities are known for their unique traditions and knowledge systems. The early nontribal communities are belonging to different indigenous communities like Wayanadan and Moundadan chettis. Most of others in population are the migrant communities from other parts of Kerala.
The Eco-friends is a group formed with such non-tribal farmers who are engaged in organic farming practices since last many years. This group has been supported by Keystone foundation for establishing a community managed seed bank and farm school at Ellumannam village located at Mananthavady Block Panchayath. The group has also been registered into Farmers Interest Group (FIG) under the Krishibhavan of Edavaka Grama Panchayth.
Some of the major objectives of Eco-friends are given as follows: As said earlier, the group is maintaining a seed and tuber bank. These seeds and tubers are cultivated in their own farms exclusively for the purpose of extracting seeds only, and later, been exchanged with other farmers who are interested in local and indigenous seed varieties. They promote organic agriculture practices. They are also engaged in documenting these indigenous varieties of seeds, tubers and other crops. The group has also been engaged in such activities as to conserve the locally available herbal plants and is in the process of preparing a register for them.
The group run a farm school for the students, children and all those are interested in agriculture. These farm enthusiasts can experience the process of farming along with real farmers in their farmlands. They also run a small farmers library at their office building and plan to extent.
They organize talks on different topics related to agriculture. These events are organized for propagating and promoting the organic culture of farming practices. These venues have been used as a platform in order to share the success and experience of farmers from different parts of Kerala. Several seed and tuber festivals have also been organized along with these events.
Eco-friends have also taken the responsibility of propagating natural farming within the Mananthavady block through the scheme of Bharatiya Prakriti Krishi Project funded by both Central Government and Kerala State government. Krishibhavan of Edavaka Grama Panchayat is depending on this group for implementing some of their schemes such as training for preparing organic inputs and seed preparation etc.They also run a small eco-shop for generating revenue for their sustenance.
