Community Seed Banking
Climate Adaptation Effectiveness
In times of crop failure due to floods, droughts, and pests and diseases, community seed banks can provide emergency seed supply. Also, local varieties that are preserved through the practice of seed saving are more genetically diverse and are more resilient to climatic variation and other stresses.
Climate Hazards
- Broad Climate Change Impact
Locations
ENTIRE COUNTRY
- Baao, Camarines Sur, Region V (Bicol Region)
- Bokod, Benguet, CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
- Kabayan, Benguet, CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
- Tublay, Benguet, CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
- Calinog, Iloilo, Region VI (Western Visayas)
- Malungon, Sarangani, Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
Adaptation Sectors
- Agriculture
CCET Instuments
- Action Delivery
Target Group based on Vulnerability
Basic Sectors:
- Cooperatives
- Farmers and Landless Rural Workers
- Indigenous Peoples
Evaluations
Economic / Financial Effectiveness
Seed banks can serve as buffer against economic losses. Seed saving can generate additional income when seeds are exchanged or sold [3]. The cost of establishing community seed banks can be relatively low.
Technical Feasibility
The community-based seed production and conservation of traditional vegetables in Santa Teresita, Baao, Camarines Sur played a significant role in abating the threat to genetic diversity of local vegetable varieties and semi-wild vegetable crops [4]. FAO provides the following simple steps in establishing community seed banks [3]: (1) Establish the objective of the community seed bank. (2) Establish a community management committee. (3) Collect and select the seeds. (4) Clean and dry the seeds. (5) Analyze seeds. (6) Record information about the seeds. (7) Store the seeds. (8) Restock seed supplies and enhance seed diversity
Social Acceptability
The "Community-based Conservation and Multiplication of Selected Indigenous Vegetables” project in Santa Teresita, Baao, Camarines Sur from 2009 to 2011 empowered farmers, especially women, in the practice of seed saving to sustain the diversity of local crops and promote greater diversity in their diets [4]. The Cordillera Ecological Center established community seed banks in Karao, Bokod; Lusod, Kabayan; and Caponga and Central Tublay, Tublay, all located in the Benguet Province. Respectively indigenous peoples in these areas known as Ibalois and Kalanguyas have saved and are now growing 12 indigenous rice varieties, 29 endemic sweet potato varieties, and seven bean varieties [1]. Meanwhile, the Barangay Impalidan Upland Farmers’ Association in Calinog, Iloilo; and the Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association in Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani attest to how community seed banking ensured the continuation of farming activities during the COVID-19 pandemic [2].
Environmental Impact
Community seed banks promote agro biodiversity contributing to climate resilience [3]. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, to which the Philippines is a signatory, facilitates access to seed banks while ensuring that fair recognition and benefits frolm their use are shared with local farmers. This mechanism encourages farmers to continue the practice of seed saving and use of diverse crops [3].
Mitigation co-benefit
There is no direct mitigation co-benefit for this solution.
Keywords
community seedbanks, indigenous vegetables, seed security, Farmers’ Rights, crop diversification
References