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https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/31/kenya-national-gene-bank-farmers-indigenous-crops-seeds-food-insecurity>
"On a winding road in the densely forested Kikuyu highlands of south-central
Kenya lies a nondescript government building: the Genetic Resources Research
Institute. Opened in 1988, during the country’s “green revolution”, this
little-known national gene bank was set up to hold and conserve seeds from the
traditional crops that were in danger of disappearing as farmers and
agricultural industry moved to higher-yield varieties.
For decades, it has collaborated with researchers studying crop genetics and
others working to develop improved varieties. But as the climate crisis worsens
food insecurity, the repository of about 50,000 seed and crop collections could
become a lifeline for farmers.
“We were established as a conservation unit, but these are unusual times with
climate change, so we’ve had to diversify our work to respond to needs,” says
Desterio Nyamongo, who runs the institute. “Given the erratic weather these
days, smallholder farmers need a diverse mix of crops.”
Through a project with the Crop Trust organisation the gene bank is now playing
a part in the comeback of indigenous crops that are resistant to drought and
pests, but fell from favour and have been neglected for decades.
It stores backups of its most unique seeds at the Svalbard global seed vault in
Norway, where it has been sending collections since 2008. The international
repository contains more than a million seed samples from around the world."
Via
Positive.News
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
