DEDA METHOD - ENVIRONMENT
News: Muria tribes’ own
eco-friendly, foolproof seed preservation method
What's in the news?
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A Muria tribal farmer, who relocated from
Chhattisgarh and established residence in the dense forests of the Godavari Valley, is employing the
'deda' method for seed preservation.
Deda Method:
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The Deda method is a traditional seed preservation technique passed down through
generations among the Muria tribe.
Preservation Process:
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Seeds are carefully stored in leaves and tightly packed to resemble boulders from a
distance.
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Siali leaves, locally known as 'addakulu’, are woven around the packaged seeds to create the deda.
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Each deda comprises three layers such as wood ash
spread inside Siali leaves, lemon leaves forming a casing over the ash, and
seeds sealed within the casing.
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Each deda can support up to 5 kg of seeds.
Advantages:
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The Deda method ensures protection of seeds from pests and worms.
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Seeds preserved using this method remain viable for
cultivation for up to five years.
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It is particularly effective for preserving pulses like green gram, red gram, black
gram, and beans.
Go back to basics:
Muria Tribe:
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The Muria tribe resides in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, and they speak the
Koya language, which is Dravidian.
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Muria settlements are known as habitations of Internally Displaced People (IDPs),
with approximately 6,600 residing in Andhra Pradesh, referred to as 'Gutti
Koyas' by native tribes.
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The Muria tribe has progressive views on marriage
and life, exemplified by the Ghotul, a communal dormitory that fosters
understanding of sexuality among Muria youth.
● While the Gutti Koyas hold Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Chhattisgarh, they have not been granted the same status in migrated states like Telangana.