March 2015: With support from the Benefit-sharing Fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR), a project implemented by the Universidad del Valle in Guatemala and focusing on the documentation and conservation of genetic diversity of maize and beans has strengthened the local association of farmers and established a local seed network. The project started with the establishment of a local network to assess storage practices, the availability of seed and sowing practices, as well as the information on and perception of the negative impacts of climate change.

Working with small farmers engaged in rain-fed agricultural practices to support the adoption of new adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard their local seeds and their livelihoods, it has directly impacted some 1340 families in five communities in Guatemala. One of the main outcomes of the project has been the establishment of five community seed banks and the creation of an index for in-situ conserved varieties present in farmers’ fields.

The sustainability of the seed banks has been reinforced through partnerships with several local and national institutions. Data collected will be made available through the Treaty’s Global Information System; in addition, of the 44 varieties evaluated, eight of yellow, red and black maize, and six of beans will soon be included in the Treaty’s Multilateral System of access and benefit-sharing. [ITPGR News Release][Benefit-sharing Fund Webpage]