Free public lecture at RAU Cirencester by Indian ecologist

Dr Debal Deb, who has worked with farmers in eastern India to conserve indigenous seed diversity, will be visiting the Cirencester-based university on Monday, May 12.

Over nearly two decades, Dr Deb has managed to save more than 1,000 varieties of rice, all of which he stores in community-based seed banks in West Bengal and Odisha.

These are made available for farmers.

He will spend the day of his Cirencester visit in sessions with students about his work before delivering a free public lecture titled: Preserving biocultural diversity through citizens’ action for effective safeguarding of biotic wealth and diversity.

This will take place in the university’s Boutflour Hall.

The visit has been organised by RAU senior lecturer in sustainable land management Dr Jonathan Code and Dr Atenchong Talleh Nkobou, RAU senior lecturer in international rural development.

Dr Code, who is also the programme leader of the university’s environment, food and society courses and heads the RAU’s MSc in agroecology, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Debal Deb to the RAU.

“His tireless work to enhance seed and food sovereignty in eastern India stands as a beacon for how such action can be undertaken.

“Along with his work to protect and conserve more than 1,400 unique rice varieties in eastern India, Dr Deb has focused on the entwined events of the loss of indigenous plant knowledge with changes in society and ecological breakdown.”

Earlier in the day, Dr Code and Dr Talleh Nkobou will host two sessions with Dr Deb to look at seed saving and preserving biocultural diversity.

While these daytime sessions are mainly for RAU students and academic staff, members of the public are welcome to attend both these sessions too if they are interested.

Please contact Dr Code (jonathan.code@rau.ac.uk) for details.

Dr Deb’s public lecture will take place from 6.30pm in the Boutflour Hall at the university’s Cirencester campus.

Everyone is welcome and tickets are free, but booking is essential. This can be done via the Eventbrite website.

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