Community Seed Banks

Community seed banks first appeared towards the end of the 1980s established with the support of international and national non-governmental organizations. This book is the first to provide a global review of their development and includes a wide range of case studies. Countries that pioneered various types of community seed banks include Bangladesh Brazil Ethiopia India Nepal Nicaragua the Philippines and Zimbabwe. In the North a particular type of community seed bank emerged known as a seed-savers network. Such networks were first established in Australia Canada the UK and the USA before spreading to other countries. Over time the number and diversity of seed banks has grown. In Nepal for example there are now more than 100 self-described community seed banks whose functions range from pure conservation to commercial seed production. In Brazil community seed banks operate in various regions of the country. Surprisingly despite 25 years of history and the rapid growth in number organizational diversity and geographical coverage of community seed banks recognition of their roles and contributions has remained scanty. The book reviews their history evolution experiences successes and failures (and reasons why) challenges and prospects. It fills a significant gap in the literature on agricultural biodiversity and conservation and their contribution to food sovereignty and security. . Language: English