"This seed is like ourselves"

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This book is rooted in fifteen months of field studies in Rajasthan, India, where pearl millet is the staple crop. The adoption of modern crop varieties has been limited, with many farmers producing their own seed and utilizing traditional landraces alongside modern varieties for crop improvement. A traditional seed distribution system has preserved various landraces, ensuring that poor farmers have access to seeds and can share innovations affordably. However, the introduction of modern varieties tailored for farmers with better land resources has altered agricultural practices and seed usage, impacting seed and food security, human health, nutrition, and social dynamics within villages. Over 900 farmers participated in the research, employing a participatory and gender-sensitive approach that allowed diverse voices to be heard. The inclusion of original statements from rural individuals provides an intimate glimpse into their experiences. Collaboration between the author and a population geneticist enriched the discussion with insights from natural sciences, highlighting the rationale behind farmers' selection practices. This work contributes to ongoing debates on genetic resource conservation, seed systems, participatory plant breeding, and the broader reorientation of international agricultural research.