Rolling Seeds, Growing Futures: Crafting a Sustainable Tomorrow

Written by: Shreya Srinivasan

Edited by: Sonaxi Satpathy

On February 21st, as part of the Libernium 2.0 initiative, the Liberal Arts Department collaborated with Greenpeace India to host an engaging seed ball making workshop. This hands-on session not only introduced participants to the art of creating seed balls—often referred to as seed bombs—but also highlighted their critical role in sustainable and compassionate nature farming.

Seed balls are a simple yet powerful tool in ecological restoration. Essentially, they consist of seeds encased in a nutritious blend of clay and compost that is then dried, forming a compact ball. During the workshop, participants learned to combine 4-5 smaller seeds with 2-3 larger ones—choosing from a diverse selection that included Gulmohar, Custard Apple, Drumstick, and other indigenous species. By mixing these seeds with red mountain soil and water, participants achieved the perfect clay-like consistency, which was then skillfully rolled into small, crack-free balls that encapsulated the seeds completely.

Over the course of two immersive hours, students discovered how these seed balls can be used to regenerate native flora. Unlike traditional planting methods, seed balling is less labor-intensive and can even be implemented in hard-to-reach areas, making it an innovative strategy for reforesting degraded lands. This technique minimizes soil disturbance and leverages natural processes to promote growth, thereby enhancing biodiversity and strengthening local ecosystems.

Seed balls exemplify sustainability in action. They serve as a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution that fosters community involvement in environmental conservation. By empowering individuals to plant native trees and shrubs, seed balling fosters local stewardship of natural resources, while also combating climate change through increased green cover. In an era where sustainable practices are not just desirable but essential, workshops like this play a vital role in educating communities about the direct impact they can have on the environment.

This seed ball making workshop demonstrated that small actions—when combined—can lead to significant environmental benefits. Participants left with not only a new skill but also a renewed commitment to nurturing nature, proving that sustainable practices begin at the grassroots level and blossom into a healthier planet.