Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Seeds are an essential part of our lives and food systems. People saved, shared, and exchanged seeds over centuries, but this changed in the last century after the green revolution. To protect the seed diversity and seed rights decentralised community seed banks are established, which functioned to conserve seeds, promote seed sovereignty and protect farmers rights. However, they are not well bridged to the agroecology and climate studies. This study wants to fill the gap by studying a CSB as an institution and by using agroecology as a framework. This study used both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A CSB from Araku region is used as a case study. The analysis showed that the collective action of the farming community led to a successful agroecological transition in the Araku region. The collaboration mechanisms used by the CSB helped in better transition of farmers to the natural farming. However, there are certain areas where the study region needs improvements, those are youth migration and agriculture labour, value addition, extension activities, and wild diversity conservation. The climate data analysis showed that the Araku region is warming and by 2100 the annual mean temperatures are increasing by (1.8 °C to 4.8 °C) compared to the 1950-80 average. This can disrupt the locals’ livelihoods, and biodiversity. Hence, the study recommends an immediate attention to the issues by addressing the gaps, implementing policies and targeted frameworks.