The community seed bank (CSB) in Madanrtiang, Ri-Bhoi District, was set up in 2021, led by the members of the Agroecology Learning Circle (ALC). It was facilitated by NESFAS with the support of REC under the ‘No one shall be left behind initiative’ project, to safeguard and preserve indigenous seeds, promote seed exchange among communities and encourage sustainable use of local varieties of seeds. This plays an effective role in protecting biodiversity and encouraging farmers to also improve their livelihoods.
In the ongoing NESFAS project “Empowering Indigenous Communities through Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) for resilient, integrated and innovative natural resource management” supported by MBMA and funded by the World Bank, the 21 ALC members of Madanrtiang have been able to utilize the CSB as a safe space to exchange knowledge and especially preserve seeds that are endangered. They also share and supply seeds to community members and other farmers, thereby propagating the values of indigenous food and seed systems.
Two of the ALC members are engaged in the CSB to keep track of all the inflow and outflow activities. Some of the local seeds preserved include varieties of rice, brinjal, ginger, rice beans, hill paddy, and gourd. They have also started collecting endangered species such as millet and job’s tears with the aim to revive and further utilize these food species.
With this, the ALC members within and outside the community, can get access to local seeds for various purposes. The seeds are also distributed for sowing so that more seeds are harvested in the years to come.
Kong Iohhunlang Lamare, ALC member of Madanrtiang, expressed, “It has been a blessing for me to have been able to preserve and revitalize the indigenous seeds”.
“It will have a great impact if we promote our local seeds rather than sourcing from external communities, and it will be for the benefit of our own communities. But the only challenge we have encountered is that there is still very less quantity of seeds available at the moment’’, concluded Bah Kynsaiborlang Shadap, Community Facilitator of Madanrtiang.
Madanrtiang community has set an important example in defending and promoting the indigenous food system. As Bah Kynsaiborlang shared, “Madanrtiang is also a paddy growing community, and out of the 38 households, only two grow rice with hybrid seeds.” It is inspiring to learn that almost all of the households grow only local varieties of rice.
