Conservation of Endangered Indigenous Seeds through Seed Banks

Abstract

In the present study a case study of six community based seed banks established in the six villages viz. Balehalli, Belavaneralu, Hullikere, Hanthanakere, Bellathahalli, Kuriyarapalya villages etc. of Tumkur district Karnataka have been presented. These community based seed banks have been established under community based seed bank network project (CSBN). The Self help groups collect seeds from diver’s origin. Community seed banks was managed by local self-help groups, the seed banks collect, distribute and multiply local varieties of seeds in an organized manner. Farmers one by one can borrow these seeds, from seed bank which is returned in double the quantity of what they borrowed. In 2003, nearly 50 quintals of different types of local seed verities including cereals, pulses and spices and dry fruits are collected from six community seed banks of Tumkur district. The quantity of seeds distributed by the community seed banks was 50 tons of local seed varieties. Farmers one by one can have a loan of these seeds, from seed banks which are returned in two fold the quantity of what they borrowed in 2004. Field staff of BIRD-K(BAIF Institute for rural development-K) facilitates the set up of these seed banks by building a strong relationship with the community. Endangered local seeds were collected and seed banks were established to preserve them for multiplication. This is to ensure farmers’ increase seeds, which reduces their dependence on markets for their supply.