Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Seed bank

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Dependency on seed companies and industrialized seeds; Loss of indigenous species: High costs of seeds; Risks of GMO seeds; Lack of access to seeds; Seed/Food-insecurity

Seed Banks are cooperative constructs where local seeds are stored, saved and borrowed out. Our seeds is our heritage. They are used to local climates and they are thus adapted to locally harsh conditions. We need to empower our communities to go back to their roots and restore the culture of the use of indigenous seeds. Farmers can be empowered to come together and share seeds in different forums, but the most sustainable one is where farmer groups establish operational seed security systems and seed banks where farmers would save their seeds and collect them during the growing season.

Farmers will manage the seed bank their selves, as well as register as members of the seed bank. They then are required to save (part of or all of) their seeds in this bank and pick them up during the planting season. Farmers will be encouraged to exchange the seeds and in so doing foster genetic biodiversity and thus resilience within and between species, which is to the benefit of all. Whoever borrows the seeds from this bank will be asked to return the amount and more the next saving season, enabling others to borrow seeds for a first time.

This increases the seed-wealth of the community, empowers a community to grow itsr own food and experiment with cross-fertilizing, strengthening species, without dependency on external seed companies or financial loans. In general, it increases the biodiversity within and between species and helps preserve locally strong plant species, which benefits all crops and the resilience of the entire eco-system, as well as fosters food security and food safety (no industrial crops). Solution Provider: Samuel N. Edited by the Solution Library Team

• Ecology
  • Seeds, Food & Soil
• Economy
  • Sharing & Collaboration

• http://seedfreedom.in/act/seedbank/
• http://howtosaveseeds.com/
• http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-start-your-own-seed-bank/
• http://www.g-biack.org/