Supported by Bioversity International and the Deendayal Research Institute, a new community seedbank is strengthening the capacity of indigenous farmers in the southern foothills of the Himalayas to save and re-use seed and to sustainably manage their agricultural biodiversity.
18 June 2015: Supported by Bioversity International and the Deendayal Research Institute, a new community seedbank is strengthening the capacity of indigenous farmers in the southern foothills of the Himalayas to save and re-use seed and to sustainably manage their agricultural biodiversity.
Located in the city of Imlia Koder in the Indian state Uttar Pradesh, the seedbank is managed by a community of 54 villages that belong to the Tharu indigenous group. The Tharu live a traditional lifestyle and cultivate a diverse set of local species.
The facility allows farmers to safely store their seeds, multiply and regenerate seed of rare varieties, and contribute to participatory breeding programs aimed at increasing the value of varieties and their resilience against environmental pressures such as climate change. The seedbank also offers facilities for seed cleaning and grading to enable farmers to improve the quality of the seed they save.
The seedbank is the first milestone in the collaboration between Bioversity International and the Deendayal Research Institute. Future endeavors will include awareness-raising activities, support for climate change adaptation and support in developing market opportunities. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. [Bioversity International Press Release][Deendayal Research Institute Website]