Bio-diversity

Normally seed exchange happens at individual levels within small social network. With this project initiative farmer seed bank will be established in three communities of Pemagatshel, Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar. Agricultural biodiversity is essential for sustainable production of food and the gains made in the modern world food production can be attributed to the availability of agricultural biodiversity that contributed the essential genes. Local knowledge and community participation therefore, is the primary requirement for effective and sustainable conservation of agricultural biodiversity. It is a fact that most seeds are produced informally by the farmers in their farm, preserved in their home and passed to fellow farmers and to the next generation.. there are, however, no interventions to improve and enhance this precious system of conservation. Proactive efforts to encourage the communities and making them the custodians of agricultural biodiversity sustaining their livelihood would lead to utilization, production of more food and sustainable conservation. The propagation of community seed banks, seed clubs, seeds fairs and seed exchange and marketing are some of the approaches that could be used to enhance community participation in conservation. If such initiatives are not forth coming the danger to the further depletion of existing agricultural biodiversity is enevitable. With this project initiative farmer seed bank will be established in three communities of Pemagatshel, Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar. Member in the seed bank will contribute and work towards in-situ seed conservation and exchange. Chairperson and Secretary will promote the activities of the organization and establish linkage with other such banks and related organizations. Overall Goal Enhance the production of food crops by developing a sustainable mechanism of informal seed supply system at the community level ultimately contributing to household food security and conserving the agricultural biodiversity. Purpose Identify and enhance the utilization of traditional crop varieties which are adapted to local conditions through selection, seed production and assured availability of seed through community seed banks which will contribute to increased food production and sustainable conservation agricultural biodiversity in the subtropical zone of Bhutan. the project activities includes the following: 1. Awareness raising; 2. Participatory selection of crop varieties; 3. Value addition, product development and marketing

Bhutan