At a young age, Harshita Priyadarshini Mohanty from Koraput district, Odisha, has become a symbol of hope for preserving indigenous seed varieties. A class eight student at Prakash Vidyalaya in Jeypore, Harshita has meticulously built a seed bank boasting over 180 varieties of indigenous paddy and more than 80 types of millet seeds, earning her the title of 'seed girl'. 

Harshita's journey began in 2020, inspired by Padma Shri Kamala Pujari, a renowned seed conservationist from her district. Kamala Pujari gifted her four varieties of paddy seeds, including the GI-tagged Koraput Kalajeera. This act sparked Harshita's mission to preserve vanishing native seeds for future generations. She realized that native seeds should be preserved for their local adaptability, climate resilience, and nutritional richness.
The seed bank includes varieties like Kalabati (black rice) and Tulsi Bhog (high-fiber rice), which Harshita distributes to farmers for free. Her work goes beyond collection; she actively promotes organic farming. Harshita formed a group of 15 youngsters to advocate for organic farming in five villages, supported by the NGO 'Ekata'. 

Harshita's dedication to seed conservation involves direct engagement with farmers. She travels to fields across Jeypore, Boipariguda, Kundra, and Borrigumma blocks to collect seeds. Her efforts have been widely recognized, leading to farmers eagerly sharing their indigenous seeds with her. Harshita stores these seeds in plastic containers and earthen pots, using neem tablets as a natural preservative, maintaining the traditional methods used for centuries.

Harshita's efforts have garnered significant recognition. In January 2024, she was felicitated as ‘Krushak Ratna’. She also topped the virtual national competition ‘Idea Youngsters,’ securing a cash prize for highlighting traditional seeds and organic farming.

Harshita's impact extends beyond local communities. She was invited to the International Millet Convention in Bhubaneswar and the Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights in Delhi. Here, she displayed her seed collection and discussed conservation methods, earning praise from notable figures like Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist.

Beyond seed conservation, Harshita has a passion for collecting currencies and postage stamps from around the world, influenced by her grandfather. She also excels academically, scoring over 90 percent in her examinations.

Harshita Priyadarshini Mohanty exemplifies how young individuals can make significant contributions to environmental conservation. Her dedication to preserving indigenous seeds and promoting organic farming sets a new standard for eco-friendly practices in agriculture.