www.oxfamindia.org/featuredstori...d-conservation
Seeds, one of the basic inputs of agriculture, play a fundamental role in meeting multiple challenges related to food and nutrition security, vulnerability to climate change and eroding natural resources, livelihood security of farmers especially small and marginal, and the faltering local economy. In other words, it is relevant beyond preservation and biodiversity conservation. It is also relevant to the economic empowerment of farmers.
Women from the indigenous communities have been playing a critical role in conserving the seeds. But they largely did it for themselves or shared with very close relatives. There was a fear of losing the seed if crop failed; the seeds were never exchanged or went outside the family or village. In fact, selected native seeds stand at par or perform better than certified seeds due to its resilience and productivity.