DIVERSIFARM-India national level seminar 8–9 April 2025, NASC Complex, New Delhi
Community seed banks in India in times of change
Community seed banks are important platforms for seed and food security among small-scale farmers in India. Since 2020, the number of such banks has increased rapidly and new trends are emerging. To highlight these developments and support exchange among key actors, the seminar "Community seed banks in India in times of change" will take place in New Delhi on 8–9 April 2025.
The seminar is part of the project "Unfolding the Potentials of Community Seed Banks for Food and Nutrition Security among Smallholder Farmers in India through the Realization of Farmers’ Rights" (DIVERSIFARM-India). It is implemented by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (Norway) and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (Chennai), with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi. Co-organisers include the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), the Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, India Office.
At the seminar, the DIVERSIFARM-India team will:
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Present preliminary findings from a mapping of 300 out of the currently identified 800 community seed banks in India.
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Introduce a new typology of Indian community seed banks and an early version of an interactive online Atlas (both work in progress).
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Provide an analysis of trends and developments for discussion.
The programme also includes:
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Presentations by representatives from Indian community seed banks sharing their experiences.
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Examples from other countries in the Global South.
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Contributions from supporting organisations and networks on how to strengthen support for community seed banks.
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Interactive discussions on challenges, opportunities, and ways forward.
More information is available here: https://www.fni.no/events/community-seed-banks-in-times-of-change