International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Savouring diversity: first steps in implementing a strategy to support community seedbanks in South Africa’s smallholder farming areas

This report presents the findings of a field mission to Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces of the Republic of South Africa, following a previous mission which had recommended establishing pilot community seedbanks in each province. Using a participatory approach with the farmers and extension staff from the two pilot sites, the mission analyzed current seed systems and seed management practices and discussed the criteria for sound governance and management of community seedbanks. A site for the proposed community seedbank in Sterkspruit was identified and work has started to make the seedbank operational. In addition, food fairs held in both sites celebrated traditional crop diversity and culinary practices of the farming communities, literally savouring the local diversity.

Topic(s)
Sustaining local crop diversity
Subject area(s)
Promoting local crop diversity, Strengthening seed systems
Subject category(ies)
Community seed banks, Developing the value chain
Publisher
Bioversity International
Publication date
2015
DOI
Resource link
Resource type
Case study
Resource format
PDF
Primary geographic focus
Africa
Open access
Yes


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