The Nayakrishi Seed Network, whose goal is to collect and maintain seed of local crop varieties, decided to establish a 'seed shelter' in Mamudpur village. A group of farmers take joint responsibility for caring for the seed and resources genetic resources that they collect and propagate for community use.
Although the NSH is not a formal organization, it has informal links with various government entities - such as the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Bangladesh Rural Development Board -, with local government, with academic institutions and with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Currently, 1,350 farmers in four villages are directly involved in NSH activities.
The bank has 1,507 kg of seed; the main species are vegetables (40 species), rice (17), spices (11), oil seeds (6), pulses (5), fibre crops (2), barley (1) and wheat (1).
Achievements:
The use of local varieties of crops has increased in Mamudpur, as well as the use of good on-farm practices such as crop diversification, intercropping and fertilization with manure and compost. The application of chemical fertilizers has decreased and no pesticides are being used. More farmers are growing local varieties. Women in particular are playing an important role in the efficient management of the NSH. Seventeen local varieties of aman rice have been reintroduced. In 2001, 11 main crop varieties were planted in the Mamudpur area; currently 89 local crop varieties are available in the NSH, suitable for the agro-ecological conditions of the floodplains that characterize the region. Most households have become self-sufficient. Total productivity has increased through the use of intercropping and crop rotation.
Source: https://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/user_upload/BANCOS_COMUNITARIOS_DE_SEMILLAS_Vernooy.pdf
- Kick-starting
- Creating networks
- Peasant movement, Peasant organisation