Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) is a registered independent trust working in the areas of organic agriculture, biodiversity conservation and Vrkshayurveda (the ancient Indian plant science). The organization has helped approximately 110,000 farming families across eight districts and converted 10,000 hectares of land to sustainable agriculture, while establishing 650 farmers institutions including self-help groups and women-led organizations. CIKS's vision is to conserve agro-biodiversity to ensure food and nutritional security for everyone. Our Namma Nellu ('Our Rice') programme has conserved 178 traditional paddy varieties with agronomic traits of drought tolerance, flood resistance, salinity resistant, pest resilience. We have scientifically validated nutritional and therapeutic properties of these traditional varieties, bridging ancient wisdom and modern science. Mr. Balu, Dr.Viji and other members of the team are the main people behind.