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Debal Deb had never thought much about rice. It was simply a humble food for over half the world's population. But when he discovered that over 90% of the rice varieties grown in India had been lost – and that most of the world ate just a handful of commercially-owned varieties – he started to worry about the very survival of the species. A single disease or environmental catastrophe could potentially wipe out rice for good. Seeing that no-one else seemed to be concerned, Debal took it upon himself to travel to remote corners of India to collect rare types of rice with important traits – such as drought tolerance, unique flavours and the ability to grow in salt water. He now grows 1492 varieties on his farm in eastern India in order to conserve them in a so-called living seedbank, and shares seeds for free with any farmers who wish to grow them. It's hard, relentless work but Debal takes joy from reviving the ancient cultural practice of seed exchange. The only question now is who will continue his work into the future.

Candida Meyrick took a leap of faith and adopted a baby Harris hawk after her son became obsessed with birds of prey. Instantly Candida's life changed – she was suddenly training a powerful bird and out with it everyday in the Welsh countryside. Falconry, hunting with a bird of prey, requires careful daily handling. But the hawk also opened her life in ways she couldn't imagine, teaching her life lessons she had no idea were coming. Candida has written a book about her life alongside her hawk, it's called Be more Bird: Life Lessons from a Hawk.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Anna Lacey and May Cameron

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(Photo: Debal Deb is standing in a rice field in eastern India, with plants coming to shoulder height. He is speaking to a crowd of men and women in brightly-coloured clothes. Credit: Debal Deb)