Speaking at a program here on Wednesday, Dr Ratnakar Adhikari, chief executive director of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), underlined the need to institutionalize community seed banks. [break]
SAARC countries have already agreed to establish the SAARC Seed Bank to preserve local genetic resources of seeds available in the region.
Kamalesh Adhikari, leader of a team formed to study the situation of community seed banks, said SAARC member countries should put in place a mechanism to exchange seeds among them.
Ram Ekawal Prasad Yadav of Community Seed Bank at Kacharwa, Bara, sought support from the government and non-governmental organizations to ensure sustainability of community seed banks, which have been playing significant role in preserving the seeds of local indigenous crops.
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