This May, we’re delighted to be welcoming Dr Debal Deb back to the UK for the first time in over a decade. His work to rescue vanishing rice diversity from imminent extinction is unparalleled, with over 1400 landraces of rice conserved, shared and grown by a network of farmers, championing in situ conservation and climate adaptation in our farming systems.
For those of you wishing to make a contribution towards Dr Debal Deb’s vitally important work, we have created a special donations page, here. Huge thanks to The Savitri Trust for supporting Debal’s UK tour.
⏰ Wednesday 7 May, 12.30 – 2pm
📌 Brighton & online
🌾Folk seed banks to build resistance to seed capitalism
The Institute of Development Studies host Debal Deb for a talk about his work to secure seed across Odisha and beyond through in situ conservation – seed banks in the hands of farmers!
⏰ Friday 9 May, 6-8pm
📌 Norwich
🌾 Indian’s ‘Rice Warrior’ Dr Debal Deb, introduced by Josiah Meldrum from Hodmedods
Join us for a special evening of conversation as Debal shares his pioneering work in agroecology and seed sovereignty. With over 1,400 traditional rice varieties conserved and cultivated through farmer-led networks, his efforts are a global model for in-situ conservation, climate-resilient farming, and preserving biocultural diversity. Debal will be joined by Josiah Meldrum of Hodmedod’s and Dr. Oliver Springate-Baginski from the University of East Anglia for a dynamic discussion on revitalising grain systems in East Anglia, and how local action can help transform our food systems from the ground up. The talk will take place from 6-8pm at UAE’s Business Enterprise Centre (NR4 7TJ), Event in partnership with Hodmedods, Barleybird, The Gaia Foundation’s Seed Sovereignty Programme, and UAE.
⏰ Saturday 10 May, 3.30-5pm
📌 Bristol
🌾 We Feed The UK Open House presents Dan Saladino and Dr Debal Deb
In celebration of our We Feed The UK exhibitions across the Martin Parr Foundation and Royal Photographic Society galleries, both venues will open their doors for a festival exploring nature-friendly food. Set amongst the complete collection of photography and poetry from this alliance between art and agroecology, expect panel discussions featuring photographers, poets and farmers, exclusive gallery tours, and delicious food fayre. Headlining the day, food journalist and author of Eating to Extinction, Dan Saladino, joins Debal to talk about the power of seed diversity. We’re excited to premiere a new short film as part of this session, documenting an encounter between Dan and Debal in Odisha.
Dan Saladino (left) and Dr Debal Deb (right)
⏰ Sunday 11 May, 3-5pm
📌 Warminster
🌾 Rural Voices INTERNATIONAL with Dr Debal Deb
Join us for a one-off Rural Voices INTERNATIONAL event at Horningsham Memorial Hall (BA12 7LL). Instead of the normal breakfast, Horningsham’s own Swedish baker ‘Bun in the Oven’ will be offering ‘fika’ (a Swedish tradition of gathering for coffee and sweet treats) at 3pm in the Village Hall field, followed by a talk from our guest speaker about his incredible mission to save over 1400 indigenous rice varieties, all of which he grows in a living seed bank on his farm. Many of the varieties Debal has preserved were believed to have gone extinct until, through journeys into some of the most remote areas, he rediscovered and reintroduced them to India’s agricultural and culinary community.
⏰ Monday 12 May, 6.30-8.30pm
📌 Cirencester
🌾 Preserving biocultural diversity through citizen action with Dr Debal Deb
Meaningful action is needed for saving, preserving, and promoting biocultural diversity in all regions of the globe. This public talk at The Royal Agricultural University‘s Boutflour Hall (GL7 6JS) will showcase Debal’s efforts to not only conserve unique rice varieties in India, but also highlight the connection between the loss of indigenous plant knowledge and social injustice. He has witnessed firsthand the decimation of regional biodiversity in his homeland under the push for commercially-valued exotic species. Debal advocates for citizen action in safeguarding our local wealth and diversity. His work, and that of the farmers of his area, attests to the potential for grassroots efforts to create more resilient food systems.
⏰ Wednesday 14 May, 2-4pm
📌 Durham
🌾 A public talk on biocultural diversity with Dr Debal Deb
This is a final chance to hear Debal in the UK, speaking about his work to restore India’s rice diversity alongside the knowledge systems that uphold this abundance. The public talk will take place in The University of Durham‘s CG218 venue, within the Chemistry building accessed via the Anthropology Department on South Road science site. There is no need to book: just turn up!
As part of a collaboration with The Gaia Foundation and The Source Project, Dan Saladino, author of Eating to Extinction, recently met with Debal on his farm in Odisha to understand more about this approach and the impact of the work regionally, nationally and globally. A short film documents this meeting of two food champions committed to sowing a fairer food system and will be released in May to accompany Debal’s UK speaking tour.
Photos by Jason Taylor, The Source Project for The Gaia Foundation. With thanks to The Savitri Trust who made Debal Deb’s UK tour possible.