The dynamic management approach to crop biodiversity practiced with farmer seeds is holistic. The stages of conservation, selection and use of the seed are carried out jointly on farms and gardens by farmers, gardeners and seed artisans working in a network.
The various current regulatory frameworks (marketing, property rights, health standards, biosafety, etc.) were designed for the development of an industrial sector after the Second World War. They are not adapted to this dynamic and decentralised approach in farms and gardens.
It has been observed that the various rules in place do not encourage the diversity of practices necessary for the sustainable maintenance of cultivated biodiversity. However, it is important to understand that there are still spaces for the use of farmers’ seeds!
The mobilisation and daily practices of biodiversity stakeholders (farmers, gardeners, seed artisans, citizens) are necessary to overcome the regulatory constraints that still hinder the development of farmers’ seeds. These daily practices support the demand for a regulatory framework that fully recognises the work and rights of farmers and rights of farmers and gardeners over their seeds.
The elements shared in this kit allow you to understand the possibilities that exist today:
- to collectively build Farmers’ Seed Houses (Community Seed Banks) and to share seeds and know-how
- to sell “non-standardised” seeds and plants free of property rights
Biodiversity can be cultivated!
