13 May 2015: Bioversity International has released an edited volume that reviews research and case studies on the development of community seed banks. The book shows that over their 30 year history, community seed banks, which are mostly informal and locally governed organizations to maintain seeds for local use, have become an important tool for enhancing the resilience of farming communities and helping them adapt to climate change.

The book provides the first global review of research on community seed banks, including a large number of case studies that show how community seed banks have evolved into a diverse set of initiatives responding to specific local drivers such as: response to famines, droughts, floods or loss of local seed supplies; implementation of participatory crop improvement programmes; or improvement of farmers’ access to seed in remote areas.

The book aims to fill a gap in research as there currently is little scientific research about the history, evolution, experiences, successes, challenges and prospects of community seed banks. The first part of the book provides comparative analysis of key aspects of community seed banks, followed by 35 case studies of community seed banks around the globe.

The volume was published by Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. [Bioversity International Press Release][Publication: Community Seed Banks Origins, Evolution and Prospects][Book Discussion on Routledge Blog]