Banking on seeds

Biotechnologist Bhagirath Choudhary remembers how he came across a sample of fennel seeds in a small town on the foothills of Mount Abu in 2021. Choudhary was in Sirohi in Rajasthan to host an agriculture camp organised by the Centres Department of Biotechnology. At the camp, farmer Ishaq Ali and his father, from Kachholi village near Sirohi, showed him a handful of aromatic fennel seeds, used in food and herbal medicines. Choudhary was struck by the exceptional quality of the seeds. With his encouragement, a small gene bank was set up on Alis farm, turning the village into a hub of agro-biodiversity and farmer-led innovation.

Choudhary, Founder-Director of the Jodhpur-based not-for-profit South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), later discovered that the fennel variety had not been documented in Indias official varietal records, despite having been cultivated for generations. This led him to explore the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, which allows for the recognition of farmers as breeders. Choudhary and his team helped document and register the variety — Abu Saunf 440 — with the authority.

Abu Saunf 440 (Abu is a reference to Mount Abu, and saunf is the local word for fennel) stands out for its bold, dark green seeds and strong aroma — attributes preserved by traditional drying methods. While most fennels sell for ₹70-100/kg, Abu Saunf fetches ₹400-500/kg because of its enhanced flavours. Choudharys team is now seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) status for it. The SABC-supported 'Abu Saunf Community Gene Bank in the Kachholi farm conserves 150 fennel varieties and serves as a training centre for farmers across Rajasthan.