Seed Saving Network Preserves 15 Indigenous Varieties

Our Seed Saving Network has successfully documented and preserved 15 indigenous vegetable varieties that were at risk of disappearing from local farming systems. This milestone represents two years of collaborative work with farming communities across West Africa to identify, collect, and properly store these valuable genetic resources.

The preserved varieties include traditional leafy greens, root vegetables, and legumes that have been cultivated by local communities for generations but were increasingly being replaced by commercial hybrid varieties. Many of these indigenous crops are naturally adapted to local growing conditions and possess valuable traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and unique nutritional profiles.

The Importance of Indigenous Seed Preservation

Indigenous crop varieties represent centuries of agricultural knowledge and adaptation to local environments. They are a critical component of food sovereignty and resilience in the face of climate change. However, these varieties face multiple threats:

• Displacement by commercial hybrid seeds marketed by large agricultural companies
• Loss of traditional farming knowledge as younger generations move away from agriculture
• Changing climate conditions that disrupt traditional growing patterns
• Lack of formal recognition and protection in seed laws and regulations

"When we lose an indigenous seed variety, we don't just lose a crop – we lose cultural heritage, ecological adaptation, and food security options," explains Kofi Mensah, Dilulu's Seed Saving Program Coordinator. "These seeds represent generations of farmer selection for traits that work in specific local conditions."

The Preserved Varieties

The 15 preserved varieties include:

1. Gboma (African eggplant) – Three distinct varieties from different regions, each with unique flavor profiles and growing characteristics
2. Soko (African spinach) – Two drought-resistant varieties that provide nutritious greens during dry seasons
3. Bambara groundnut – Three varieties with different maturation times and protein content
4. African yam bean – Two varieties with exceptional protein content and soil-enriching properties
5. Local okra – Three varieties with distinctive pod shapes and mucilage content
6. Indigenous amaranth – Two varieties valued for both leaves and seeds

Each variety has been carefully documented with information about its traditional uses, growing requirements, culinary properties, and cultural significance. Seeds have been properly cleaned, dried, and stored in our seed bank facilities, with duplicate collections maintained by community seed guardians.

Community-Led Conservation

A key aspect of our Seed Saving Network is its community-based approach. Rather than simply collecting seeds for centralized storage, we work with local farmers to establish community seed banks and train "seed guardians" who maintain living collections.

"The strength of this program is that it keeps seeds in the hands of farmers," says Aminata Diallo, a seed guardian from Senegal. "We don't just preserve seeds in storage – we grow them, share them, and keep them as part of our living agricultural systems."

The network now includes 28 trained seed guardians across five countries, each responsible for maintaining and propagating specific varieties. These guardians receive training in seed selection, cleaning, storage, and documentation techniques, as well as support for demonstration gardens where these crops can be showcased to the wider community.

Knowledge Documentation

Beyond the physical preservation of seeds, the network has documented extensive traditional knowledge about these crops. This includes:

• Traditional cultivation practices specific to each variety
• Harvest and post-harvest handling techniques
• Culinary uses and preparation methods
• Medicinal and cultural applications
• Selection criteria used by traditional farmers
• Local names and stories associated with each variety

This information has been compiled into a digital database and printed resource guides that are available to farming communities, researchers, and educational institutions. The documentation process involved extensive interviews with elder farmers, particularly women, who are often the primary seed keepers in traditional farming systems.

Next Steps: Expanding Access and Use

With the initial preservation work complete, the Seed Saving Network is now focusing on increasing the use of these indigenous varieties in local food systems. Planned activities include:

• Seed Multiplication: Scaling up production of the most threatened varieties to increase seed availability
• Farmer Field Schools: Practical training sessions on growing these crops using both traditional and improved organic methods
• Market Development: Working with local restaurants and food vendors to create demand for these traditional foods
• School Programs: Introducing these crops and their stories into school gardens and curricula
• Participatory Research: Collaborating with agricultural scientists to study the unique properties of these varieties

"Preservation is just the first step," notes Kofi Mensah. "The real success will come when these crops are once again widely grown, eaten, and valued in their communities of origin."

Get Involved

The Seed Saving Network welcomes community participation. Here's how you can get involved:

• Attend an upcoming seed saving workshop (see our Events page for schedule)
• Volunteer with the documentation team (contact seeds@dilulu.org)
• Support the program through a donation to fund community seed banks
• If you're a farmer with knowledge of rare local varieties, please contact us