Seeds travel around the world - Pabhoi Greens, India

Neelam Dutta bursts with energy, enthusiasm, and a thirst for knowledge. His open, helpful nature and deep connection with all living things made him a valued and beloved member of the ReinSaat family years ago. On the occasion of his certification as the first biodynamic seed company in India, we visited him on his Farm Pabhoi Greens, in Assam.

India's nature welcomed us with an overwhelming abundance of lush greenery, exotic animals, unfamiliar sounds, and scents. In contrast, we encountered impressions such as poor road conditions, poverty, and waste.

Arriving at Neelam's farm was almost like stepping into paradise. Small fish ponds, lush rice fields, a variety of fresh fruits like bananas, papayas, and many more, as well as a multitude of vegetable seedlings, enchanted us. Clean pathways, well-maintained fields, and cheerful workers in colorful garments created a peaceful and creative atmosphere.

Walks with Neelam through the farm led us to his diverse projects, which testify to his impressive commitment to people, plants, and animals.

Thanks to the high groundwater level, fish is the main component of the diet and the most important source of income in the region. Pabhoi Greens is situated in the middle of an extensive pond and fish farming area. Migratory birds from Russia and China are excessively hunted in the region as they are considered pests to fisheries. Neelam dedicates two of his production ponds to nature, providing a natural habitat and protection for large flocks of birds, which in return do not target his production ponds.

In another conservation project aimed at protecting river turtles—often caught as bycatch in fishing nets and sold as lucrative black-market goods to local fishermen—Neelam met and fell in love with his wife.

The daily lunch is prepared and shared together, regardless of religious affiliation or ethnic background. Cooking is done over an open fire, fueled by cow dung that is processed using a simple composting system. Many of the approximately 40 employees come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds—especially young women from large families or widows—who find a second chance, meaningful work, food, and a home at Pabhoi Greens. For the employees’ children, Neelam offers additional afternoon lessons.

Given the widespread problem of poaching exotic animals such as the Indian rhinoceros throughout India, a bamboo house was built as part of a rehabilitation project involving former poachers. Today, the house serves as a space for Neelam’s training sessions and workshops, where he teaches small-scale farmers, students, and entrepreneurs about the preservation of traditional rice varieties, biodynamic farming, and organic cultivation methods.

Pabhoi Greens combines ancient Indian and Vedic knowledge with the principles of Demeter agriculture. People from all over India travel here to learn from the enthusiastic organic pioneer.

Preserving cultural resources is just as important to Neelam Dutta as conserving traditional rice varieties (such as Black Rice and Royal Rice). During the rainy season, he cultivates, maintains, and multiplies over 100 heirloom rice varieties, which were once passed down through generations but have been displaced in recent decades by industrial hybrid varieties. The necessity of purchasing seeds annually creates unnecessary dependencies. Neelam is convinced that both traditional and modern knowledge can strengthen individual seed sovereignty and preserve cultural identity.

Optimal conditions for young plant cultivation:

Cattle farming and compost production are essential components of the biodynamic agricultural system at Pabhoi Greens. Each year, the farm produces approximately 300 tons of meticulously hand-selected compost. This compost not only meets the farm’s own needs but also enhances soil quality and resilience beyond the borders of Assam.

We spent two days in Nagaland, in an idyllic mountain village about seven hours away in northeastern India. With its culturally rich history, Christian-dominated Nagaland is a fascinating region that receives support and encouragement from Neelam.

Together with a group of dedicated women, he conducts test cultivation and seed propagation of vegetable varieties that thrive in cooler temperatures (such as radish, cabbage varieties, and more). This creates an additional food source for the local farming population and generates important regional value.

We have been supporting Neelam Dutta for years with our expertise and ReinSaat’s open-pollinated seed varieties, which have also demonstrated adaptability under Indian climate and soil conditions.

Dear Neelam, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the many new impressions, emotions, experiences, and ideas. Your work, creativity, and tireless dedication ensure that the future of Indian agriculture stands on solid and sustainable foundations.