Kent Whealy to preserve heirloom varieties. 1986. PGR Ethiopia, Seed for Survival Program supported by USC,. Canada to re-integrate local varieties in local ...
Community Seed Banking: Appropriate Practices and Solutions for Food Security Bhuwon Sthapit 6-9 October 2015, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Outline Global challenges Bioversity Initiatives
Theory – seed systems, – farmer seed networks and sources, – evolutionary breeding, – resilience Misconceptions Case studies Roles
and gaps
and links
A way forward
Challenge: Address shrinking diversity Objective: Safeguard priority agricultural biodiversity for current and future needs • Increasing crop yields and improving stress tolerance requires genetic diversity • Intensification of agricultural systems has substantially reduced biodiversity
Threats Continued push towards monocultures; shrinking diversity
Consolidation of seed supply into few, large companies Reduced funds to public sector agricultural research, education and breeding
Consequences Loss of options to meet public and private needs: Biotic and abiotic stress Diet diversity and nutrition Market and cultural demands Ecosystem health and stability
Climate change is already happening
Diseases of concern to the US major crops • Bacteria causing fire blight in apples • Ug99 + related strains of stem rust in wheat • New strains of rice blast disease • Potato blight is re-emerging Qualset and Shands, 2005
We cannot predict which new pest or pathogen will develop or how the rain will fall next year -- but we can use agricultural biodiversity to have a diverse set of crop varieties in agricultural systems to increase the options to buffer against an unpredictable change. This explains Quelle: http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/slides/ppt/05.19.ppt (courtesy Axel Drescher) why on-farm conservation can play key role in future!
Seed system: On-farm management adapt, evolve and buffer (evolutionary breeding) Forest / wild
Farmers Distribution
Gene Bank (ex situ)
Seed 1. Saved own
Planting Cultivation
LOCAL Harvest SYSTEM 90% Storage Breeding
Seed quality control Exchange Market 2. Barter/gift 3. Sale/purchase
Consumption Seed production
FORMAL SYSTEM 10%
[De Boef et al., 2000]
Global context: Access for farmers a secure source of locally adapted seed Country
Crop
Contribution of farmer seed system (source) %
Reference
Burkina Faso
Sorghum
95
Kabore, 2000
Mexico
Maize
75
Ortega-Packka et al., 2000
Morocco
Durum wheat
87
Mellas, 2000
Nepal
Rice
97
Baniya et al., 2003
In India alone-100 million farms-15-20% of them use seed from the regular seed trade; the remaining 80 m farms depend on self saved seed or seed supply from farmers! (Swaminathan, 1998)
Contribution of informal seed sources to livelihood of mountain farmers, Nepal Crops Amaranth Barley Beans
Humla (2000m) 100 100 100
Jumla (2000m) 100 100 85
Lamjung (1500) 100 100 83
Dolkha (1700) 100 97 72
Buckwheat Finger millet Foxtail millet
100 100 100
100 100 100
100 100 100
95 97 97
Perso millet Rice Total
100 96
100 76
100 98
NA 95 GEF LLI-BIRD Baseline survey, 2014
Isolated farmers in the network
[Paudel, Sthapit, & Shrestha 2015. International Journal of Biodiversity, doi:10.1155/2015/312621]
Multi-functionality of farmer seed system: Germplasm base –
diversity, flexibility, selection
Seed production and quality –
germination, disease problems, quantity
Seed availability and distribution –
seed sources, networks, markets
Knowledge and information –
growing methods, utilization, knowledge of materials, traits trade off
new
Complementary Conservation Strategies Integrated Conservation Methods In situ
Community-based conservation
National parks
Protected areas
Biosphere reserves
World
In situ on farm
Landraces
Folk varieties
Heritage sites
(Forest, Environment and Wildlife departments)
Ex situ on farm
Sacred groves Community seed bank
(Tribal and rural families, CBOs)
Ex situ
Botanical gardens
Zoological gardens
Genebanks
(Government agencies and universities)
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415708067/
35 Case studies review 25 Countries
Diverse actors diverse objectives
Differences
Origin and evolution Functions and activities Governance, management and cost Technical operations Support and networking Policy and legal environment Sustainability
Analysis of new scope, opportunities and partnership
“Out of box” initiative
Origins and Evolution of Community Seed Banks Timeline 1975 1986 19921996 2003 to date
USA-Based Seed Savers Network established by Diane and Kent Whealy to preserve heirloom varieties PGR Ethiopia, Seed for Survival Program supported by USC, Canada to re-integrate local varieties in local seed system Australian seed networks and seed library in Europe The Philippines by SEARICE and CONSERVE; Brazil, Chile; UBNING, Bangladesh, CTDT Zimbabwe, DDS, ADS, Green Foundation, Gene Campaign and MS Foundation, India, USC Canada-Asia LI-BIRD/Bioversity International/Development Fund Norway/Oxfam, Action Aid etc in number of countries
NGOs are key player in past & now Governments taking interest!
Seed Savers Exchange Network
http://www.seedsavers.net
Conceptual framework: Classification of global community seed banks by functions
Functions
Case study examples (book chapter)
Conservation
Bhutan, Malaysia, Mexico and Rwanda
Access and availability Conservation and Access & Availability
Burundi, Canada, Costa Rica and Uganda Bolivia, Brazil, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mali, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Africa, Sri Lanka, USA, Trinidad, Zimbabwe Bangladesh, Brazil , Nepal and Spain
Conservation; Access & Availability & Seed and food sovereignty
Result: Multiple functions; Diverse actors/Diverse objectives
Governance, Management and Cost •
Legitimacy, and Rules and regulations
•
Daily operations and management governed by collective actions, social capital building, voluntary work, empowerment
•
Accountability, transparency and leadership
•
Roles and responsibilities
•
Building local capacity
•
How much it cost to establish CSB?
•
1000$ to $10000
Technical operation and issues T
Community and site selection
Choosing crop species and varieties Documenting, sharing and communicating information
Bhuwon Sthapit
Collecting seed and planting materials
Storing seed, structure, methods, monitoring Distribution system and tracking
Walter de Boef
Regenerating seed
Choosing crops and varietiesrare/unique
Large areas
Small areas
many households
few households [Sthapit et al., 2006]
Number of households
Distribution of Varieties
Tail of Opportunities
List of varieties
Market Pyramid
Size of the market
International market
National/regional market
Local market
Household level use
Number of varieties or species
Anthracnose
ALS
Richness
Richness
Epsha Palikhe
Diversity to manage disease/ pests
Bhuwon Sthapit
Role: Source of mixture varieties or portfolio of crop diversity
Seed Storage ✤ Goal in storing seeds
is to slow metabolic processes-dry
and cold (sleep) ✤ Maximizing seed longevity: ✤ Start with good
quality seed
✤ Keep
them appropriately dry
✤ Keep
them as cold as possible
✤ Minimize access to air ✤ Minimize changes
Chris
✤ Minimize exposure to light
in conditions
✤ Exclude insects and rodents
doubles for every 1% reduction in seed moisture content and for every 5°C drop in temp.
✤ Short-term
storage: 5–10°C
✤ Long-term
storage: -18°C
[Source: Chris Schmidt, 2013]
B Sthapit
✤ Longevity
Storage Insect Control using Drying Beads
Six months storage With beads Without beads 69% infestation 0% infestation 25
Nepal Case study: A local solution to improve access to quality seed, safeguard of diverse crop varieties, and secure food security
CSBs in Nepal supported by LI-BIRD USC-Canada
14
Oxfam-N
100
N LI-BIRD/Bioversity/ DF DoA
1
Tanahun, 2009 Dhading, 2009
5
Sankhuwasa bha, 2009
1
Kailali, 2007, 08
1 Nawalpar asi, 2009
No. of CSBs established
Bara, 2003
Legend
2003
1
2007
3
Mid to high hill (2)
2008
3
Low to Mid hill (2)
2009
7
Low land terai (10)
14
1 Jhapa, 2009
Typologies
+
PGRfocused
Local varieties only (regeneration, conservation at the cost of food insecurity)
Integrated approach
Both LRs and MVs (conservation and food security goal addressed)
Seedfocused
MVs only (seed for food, food security enhanced at the cost of agrobiodiversity loss)
[Source: PC Chaudhary, 2012 LI-BIRD]
Hypothesis and research questions
Whether or not CSB improve access of unique, endangered and rare local varieties? Whether CSB improve equitable access of seed to marginalized and poor smallholder farmers? Whether CSBs address farmer’s concern of seed accessibility or availability or both? Are CSBs relevant and appropriate interventions where social seed networks are strong, open and well-connected? Whether CSBs can be a platform of open source of seed exchange and social learning? What are key drivers of success and failures ? What are key principles that ensure sustainability of CSBs after completion of the project?
Community Driver: Rapid erosion of rice landraces in Kochorwa, Bara (Shrinking local crop diversity and options) Year of study and type
No. of LRs/MVs
No. of growers
% of area occupied by
LRs
MVs
LRs
MVs
LRs
MVs
Baseline 1998 (n=202 HHs)
33
20
137
-
16.7
83.3
CBR 2003 (n=349 HHs)
14
26
111
-
3.4
96.6
Note: LRs=Landrace, MVs=Modern varieties, HHs=Households, CBR=Community biodiversity Register
[Source: Adapted and modified from Rana et al., 2000]
Community Driver: Weakening social seed networks
ma su li Purc hase
K. m an s uli Exc han ge
Cha ndin a Bor r ow
ma n suli Gif t
M as ul Ex a ch an ge
Nat
R. m a suli Purc hase
4 ge an
Ch ina
li
200
102
Exchange
199
Exchange C Ex hin ch a 4 an ge
Ex ch
S. M ansu li Exc hang e
Sab it Exc ri h an ge
164
22
Jaya change Ex Exc Jaya han ge
163
112
27
Mansuli Gift
uli an s am Son t Gif
OS 106
28
117
China 4 Exchange
118
122 ite 2 Cha t Gif
106
30
Chand Purcha ina se 111 Jaya ange Exch
China 4 se Purcha
125
33
128
124
Masula Exchange
4
121
110
la Masu ange Exch
62
ge
a Ja y a n g e h Exc
S Pu okan rch a se
Ex cha n
57
Exchange
72
Shop
nge
Jaya
108
165
Exch a
ange Exch
Exchange
Ch ina
1099
109
Jaya
20
Sabit ri
OS
N. mansuli
166 Jaya Ex J change Ex aya ch an ge
n visio Tele ge han Exc
167
a Ja y ge han Exc
Kanchhi mansuli Borrow
Purchase
Masula
Gift
Masula
li ans u im chh
Gif t
Kan
S. Ex m a ch n s an uli ge
78
Chia n4 Exch an g e
Exchan ge
N Ex at m cha a n gn suli e
64
120
103
Exchange
21
44 nge a ch Ex
Ex nsu ch li an ge
Ind
China 4
18
148
Sabit ri Purc hase
ti ma b as sa Pu ase rch u P Sona mansu li Gift
105
N. sa ro Purc hase
Ch i na 4 Ex ch an ge
Pur ch
a 32 Rad h
ase
suli S. man
se
ch a
168
OS
Chandina
RS
188 China 4 ExchaSnge . man suli S. ma Gift
119 113
Nat
Masula
Gift
Chin a4 Exc h an ge Sab Bo itri rro w China 4 Borrow
Masula
14 42 BG
Pu r
Sabitri Exchange
Masula Exchange
Jay a Ex ch an ge
ange
China 4
Exch
Ph i Pu llips rc ha se ula Ma s ge h an Exc
itri Sab nge ch a Ex Sab itri Exc h an ge
Exchange
C Ex hin ch a 4 an ge
Masula
Gift
Mansuli Purchase
K. man suli Excha nge
Gift
China 4
a4 Chin Gift
Jaya
Exchange
Exchange
China 4
Son am ans Pur uli cha se
Exchange
118
B
19
99
ina Chand se Purcha
Basmati Exchange
OS
li su an M ft Gi
tri bi ge Sa han c Ex
24
a din an Ch w rr o Bo
s ip il l e Ph ang ch Ex
Lalsar Exchange 4 Chi na nge Excha
la e asu M h an g c Ex
43
li
107
uli ans e S. m chang Ex
OS
68
u a ns S. m t Gif
Ind
Masula Exchange
R. Mansu
la 149 Masu ange Exch
a e ul as n g M cha Ex
Gift
li su
li
B 44
77
e
ge
Ind
OS
96
Exchange
104 li nsu ma t K. Gif Ba s Ex mati ch a nge
Masula
98 i sul
OS
an su
49
12
(71) Faram ange Exch
ya ge Ja han c Ex
li nsu nge
114
Gi ft
116 115
Ind
Ind
S. m
ange suli Rampur man Trial
10
92
Exchange
80
n cha Ex
Exch
uli S. mans Gi ft
ch a Ex
RS
suli
Masula
15
Jaya ange Exch
154
Son am an
OS
87
7
201
ro hi sa Nak e hang Exc
8
ge
n ma S.
Ind
Jiri Borrow
bi
g han Exc
OS
4 169 i na w Ch orro B
li ansu K. m ange Exch
45
OS
ja Pan
58
86
Ind
170
a4 Chin ge an Exch
OS
RS
Ma
OS
OS
RS
uli 100 ns ma ge an h c Ex
Ex Sab cha itri nge
K. ma n Ex cha suli nge Sabit ri Purchase li ansu S. m ase Purch
84
a ndin Cha ow Borr
4
OS
2
172
159 la Masu hange Exc
li su an m ge n a an So xch E
17
3
Masula Gift
171
174
54 101
na So
70
81
t ri bi ge Sa an ch Ex
OS 102
Ind
83
e r am an g Fa xch E Rampu r man suli Gift
173
56
ina Chand ge Exchan
160
Ind
202
85
79
an Exch
1
a4 Chin t Gif
129
59
la Masu
187
BG 14 Gi 42 ft
OS
Mutmur Exchange
82
ite 4 Cha Gift
67
a4 in Ch ge an ch Ex
179
uli
ange
OS ya hi pa ge Di an ch Ex
ge
li
119
120
S. m as
Exch
130
Masul a Exchange
34
186
195
RS
an im
mansuli Exchange
Ind
90
Masul a Excha nge
OS
75
an ch Ex
Gift
m as ula Exc h an ge a sul a t m ange a N ch Ex
16 Sabitr i Excha nge
Nat
a e ul as n g M cha Ex
25
nsu ma S. ge an
uli ns ma S. ft Gi
4
la asu ge OS tm an Na a ch ul Ex as n Ch 64 o m ift i i na Ex at vis G e N c 4 l ha Lajhi ge Te ng an e 181 Exch 60 Purchase Sab Bo itri rro w OS
180
S. mansuli Exchange
50 li su e an ng m ha S. xc E S.
ch Ex
hin a
197
h ch
184 121
Gi ft
91
S Ex ona ma ch an ge nsul i
masino Pokhreli 88 C Exchange
5
Ind
n Ka
nge
H urc ybrid h as e China 4 Gift 4 i na Ch ift G
a sul
Ind P
65
Jaya nge Excha
127
196
ps hilli 4, P Gift
li Na mansu OS tm Sona asu Ex nge la ch a Excha Ind nge Sabitri 11 ya e asul a Exchange Ja has la, m 97 ansu rc Pu Sona m ange Exch
Ma
89
a Chin
Masul a 41 Exchange
146
Exchange
183
144
145
Ma sul Pu a rch ase
J Ex aya ch a N. masul ange
182
a4 Chin Gift
Ind
OS
OS
126
a ge ul as an M xch E
K. m ansuli Excha nge 31 j
a nk pa ni Ra Gift
Ind
6
China 4 37 Exchange
ge Exchan
71 China 4
4 i na Ch Gift
Chi na 4 Excha nge
China 4
OS
OS
ch a Ex
136
4 ina ge Ch chan Ex
137
OS
OS
itri Sab hange c Ex
OS
Rampur masuli
Commercial area: Vulnerable to climate change and adversity
Non-commercial: Resilient to climate change
Chaite 2
RS
Trial
[Paudel D, Sthapit BR and P Shrestha 2015. An Analysis of Social Seed Network and Its Contribution to On-Farm Conservation of Crop Genetic Diversity in Nepal," International Journal of Biodiversity, vol. 2015, Article ID 312621, 13 pages, 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/312621]
Results: Improve access of local varieties for poor smallholder farmers and social equity
Improve access to landraces: Pro-poor women farmers Year
Number of farmers of different socioeconomic
No. of landrace
Seed (Kg)
Rich
Medium
Poor
Total
2007
23 (23)
34 (33)
45 (44)
102
28
103
2006
7 (11)
25 (39)
32 (50)
64
21
80
2005
17 (20)
37 (42)
33 (38)
87
23
197
2004
6 (17)
14 (40)
15 (43)
35
13
69
2003
5 (12)
19 (48)
16 (40)
40
11
87
[Source: Pitambar Shrestha and BR Sthapit, 2008]
Results: Improve income by seed multiplication and sale of modern varieties
Improve income to safeguard local crops and varieties Year
Number of farmers of different socioeconomic
No. of MV
Seed (Kg)
Total # 2015
309
3
12296
2014
221
3
6100
2013
159
3
5281
2007
162
2
3269
2006
135
1
3655
[Source: CSB data record, Bara, 2015]
Transferring 900 accessions of Community seed banks to National Gene bank, Nepal
35
Emerging roles of Community seed bank in seed relief and reiving local seed system
9750 kg truthfully labelled rice seeds supplied to suitable earthquake affected areas
Income for a single CSB: USD 3600 (NPR 358,750) Pride: Able to help earthquake affected families
(Credit: P Shrestha, LI-BIRD)
Participatory seed exchange at the meeting held in community seed bank
Improved access to unique materials and information to wider groups (Diversity kits) Luffa cylindrica L. •
Good practices
•
Diversity fairs
•
Diversity blocks
•
Diversity kits
•
CBR
•
Community seed bank
1998 Rare
Traits: aroma, taste, delayed net
1998 1 HH Diversity fair 2000 Diversity block 7HH 2001 70 Diversity kits 2002 195 HHs
2002 Common
Improved access by community actions; many examples
Big task shared by many citizens:
N=>2100
Strengthening local capacity for management of local crop diversity for rural livelihoods and income National Genebank
Community biodiversity register; Community seed bank
Formal Breeding
Options • VA • PPB
Diversity fair/ block* Household seed store
Farmer’s seed System (on-farm)
Community-based PGR management (Source: Sthapit and Jarvis, 1999)
Overarching principles: Role of CSB
1
Knowledge
Site & community selection Understanding the local context
Practice
CBM
Institution
Principles Social learning
Mobilize CBM fund
3
Raising awareness
“Let local lead to drive the CBM process”
1: Build upon local innovations, practices & resources
2: Diversifying biodiversityInstitutional based livelihood options modalities 3: A platform social learning and collective action 4: Let local lead
Develop & implement action plan
Capacities & skills
Sustainability, innovation & resilience
Take home message • • • • • • •
New roles of community seed banks and national gene banks are emerging and new scope and opportunities Cultivate partnership for creating space for country specific innovation in this field Misconception-let’s science drive the process of understanding and appreciating Strengthen technical capacity of community seed banks (introduce * system by NGB) Link to PPB/PVS and crowdsourcing approach Policy space for CSB (Seed regulatory framework, Farmer’s Rights, ABS/Nagoya protocol) Potential platform of community biodiversity management and social learning and change (institutional issue)
