Deda Method: A Traditional Seed Preservation Technique

The Deda method is a traditional method of seed preservation practiced by Muria tribal farmers, primarily in the Godavari Valley forests.

1. This method has been passed down through generations and ensures the protection and viability of seeds for up to 5 years.

About the Deda Method:

1. Seed Preservation Technique:

• The Deda method involves preserving seeds in multiple layers, creating a protective casing to safeguard them from pests and worms.

2. Preparation of Deda:

1. The Deda Method is a traditional seed preservation technique practiced by the Muria tribal farmers.
2. It involves wrapping seeds in Siali leaves (Bauhinia vahlii), layering them with wood ash and lemon leaves, and then sealing them airtight to form a package called a "deda."
3. Each deda can hold up to 5 kg of seeds and protect them from pests and maintain their viability for up to five years.
4. This method is particularly effective for preserving pulses like green gram, red gram, black gram, and beans.
5. It is an eco-friendly and sustainable way to ensure seed security and promote agricultural biodiversity.

3. Advantages of the Deda Method:

1. Protection from Pests and Worms: The Deda method provides excellent protection against pests and worms, ensuring the viability of seeds for an extended period.

2. Long-Term Storage: Seeds stored using the Deda method remain viable and suitable for cultivation for up to five years.

3. Preservation of Pulses: This method is particularly effective in preserving the seeds of pulses such as green gram, red gram, black gram, and beans.

Key Facts about the Muria Tribe:

1. Location:

1. The Muria tribe is primarily found in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

• The Muria are an indigenous Adivasi, scheduled tribe Dravidian community of the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India. They are part of the Gondi people.

2. They speak Koya, a Dravidian language.

2. Internally Displaced People:

1. Their settlement lies within ‘India’s Red Corridor’ on the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border hit by Naxalism, and stands as an oasis within a reserved forest, protected by stringent laws prohibiting settlement and deforestation.
2. Muria settlements are known as habitations of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), with a population of approximately 6,600 in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Native tribes refer to them as ‘Gutti Koyas.’

3. Progressive Perspective:

1. The Muria tribe has a progressive outlook towards marriage and life in general.
2. A notable example is the Ghotul, a commune or hostel that aims to create an environment for Muria youth to understand their sexuality.

4. Scheduled Tribe Status:

• While the Gutti Koyas held Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Chhattisgarh, they were not granted ST status in their migrated states like Telangana.

ABOUT GOND TRIBE

1. They are one of the largest tribal groups in India, predominantly residing in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
2. The name Gond comes from Kond (means green mountains).
3. Main occupation is Agriculture or daily wages.
4. Their native language, Gondi, belongs to the Dravidian family.
5. They believe in animistic belief system, where they worship nature spirits and deities. They also revere ancestors and have a rich tradition of folk worship
6. They have subdivided into various tribes such as raj Gonds, Madia, Dhurve etc.

Q3. With respect to the Muria Tribe, Consider the following statements:

1. They are part of the Gondi people.

2. They are predominantly agrarian people.

3. They practices a hybrid of animistic and Hindu doctrines.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one         (b) Only two

(c) All three          (d) None

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