Community seed banks help farmers prepare for future shocks

An initiative supporting community seed banks is helping farmers in parts of South Sudan produce, conserve and store locally adapted seeds amid recurring floods, drought, displacement and food insecurity.

The initiative is funded by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in partnership with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) through Integrated Seed Sector Development Africa. It is being implemented by Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology (JGMUST) in the Jonglei State capital, Bor.

A two-day training on seed diversity collection, processing and storage was recently held in Bor as part of the Resilient Seed Systems initiative.

The programme brings together farmers, community leaders, local authorities, researchers and other seed-sector stakeholders. It aims to strengthen community seed banks and farmer-managed seed systems, allowing farmers to access affordable seed that is locally adapted and preferred by their communities.

South Sudanese farmers frequently lose seed stocks during floods, displacement, drought, and poor harvests. Limited access to commercial seed markets can also make it difficult for households to obtain seed for the next planting season.

The project is therefore supporting farmers to select, produce, store, exchange and multiply seeds within their communities.

Rt. Rev. Daniel Awan Manyok of Athooch Diocese who is among those participating in seed production and storage activities said reliable access to seed can help families recover after crop losses.

“When farmers have reliable seed in their hands, they have hope. They can plant again, feed their children, and begin to recover,” he said. “We need to select good seed, store it well, multiply it, and make sure it is available when farmers need it.”

Bishop Awan added that the initiative could strengthen cooperation among farmers, churches, women’s groups and young people and that the importance of seed goes beyond farming.

“Seed is the beginning of food, and food is the beginning of peace in the family and the community,” he said.

For her part, Awur Kuol Aguto, who represents women’s groups involved in the activities, said women play a key role in selecting seed, farming and storing harvests.

“We are learning how to produce seeds, store them properly, and keep the varieties that our families need,” she said. “With good seeds and knowledge, we can produce more food, support our children, and help our communities grow stronger.”

JGMUST and its partners are working with selected communities to establish and strengthen community seed banks.

Farmers are receiving training on seed selection, drying, cleaning, packaging and storage, as well as record-keeping and multiplication of preferred varieties.

The initiative covers crops including sorghum, millet, maize, legumes and vegetables, depending on the priorities of participating communities.

Organizers say community seed banks can also help farmers prepare for future shocks by maintaining local seed reserves rather than depending solely on emergency seed distributions.

The project is documenting farmers’ experiences and seed-security challenges while encouraging dialogue among stakeholders in South Sudan’s seed sector.

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