Seed security is fundamental to both global food security and local nutritional security. A well-functioning and biodiverse seed system enables farmers to access seeds of a wide variety of crops at the right time and at an affordable cost, ensuring food and nutrition security. Seed systems are critical for increasing food production, enhancing resilience to climate change, and addressing malnutrition. In the era of climate change, strengthening seed systems becomes even more crucial, as resilient and sustainable seed systems help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns while ensuring food diversity and nutritional health.
Seed systems can broadly be classified into formal and informal systems. The formal seed system focuses on the production and distribution of improved seed varieties, often supported by research institutions and regulatory frameworks. In contrast, informal seed systems, which are prevalent in rural/farmed, forested and tribal areas, are community-driven, focusing on the local exchange and in-situ conservation of local crop varieties. These informal systems are vital for preserving crop genetic diversity, maintaining agro-ecological resilience, and promoting food security, especially in regions with rich biodiversity.
In the context of Odisha’s Koraput District, which is recognised by FAO as a ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System’ (GIAHS), the role of seed systems in conserving both agro-biodiversity and biocultural traditions is particularly critical. Known for its rich crop and ethnic diversity, Koraput presents unique challenges and opportunities for strengthening seed systems, particularly in tribal areas.
In the recent past, there have been efforts taken at State and National level to mainstream community managed crop genetic resources and related knowledge. Although India has legal provisions guaranteeing farmers’ rights and the sharing of benefits for managing of such invaluable resources, operationalisation of such provisions in the context of farmers rights and access and benefit-sharing protocols are evolving. The Consultation will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, identifying challenges, and formulating strategies to strengthen seed systems to operationalising existing protocols, with a special focus on the unique agricultural landscapes and communities of Koraput. It will emphasise the importance of integrating both formal and informal systems, recognising the value of local knowledge, measures to link legal provisions to conservers and promoting agricultural biodiversity for sustainable food systems.