Community Seed Banks

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of preserving agricultural biodiversity and ensuring food security in the face of climate change, population growth, and evolving agricultural practices cannot be overstated. Community seed banks have emerged as pivotal mechanisms in safeguarding local crop diversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and empowering farming communities.

This Special Issue aims to delve into the multifaceted role of rural and community seed banks, exploring their contributions to genetic conservation, socio-economic development, and ecological resilience, with a particular emphasis on the importance of working directly with local communities.

Community seed banks are grassroot initiatives that store, maintain, and distribute seeds, particularly focusing on traditional and locally adapted varieties. By maintaining a wide array of genetic resources, community seed banks provide farmers with the options needed to adapt to changing climatic conditions and unforeseen agricultural challenges.

In addition to their role in genetic conservation, community seed banks are instrumental in fostering socio-economic benefits. They enhance food security by ensuring the availability of diverse and resilient seeds, thereby reducing dependency on commercial seed markets and external inputs. Furthermore, these seed banks often operate as hubs for knowledge exchange and community collaboration, strengthening social cohesion and empowering farmers through shared learning and collective action. The ecological benefits of community seed banks extend to sustainable agricultural practices. By promoting the use of locally adapted varieties, these seed banks support agroecological farming methods that enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The integration of traditional knowledge with scientific research in these seed banks also contributes to the development of innovative and sustainable farming practices.

This Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive examination of community seed banks, highlighting their successes, challenges, and future prospects. Through a collection of research articles, case studies, and reviews, we aim to showcase the diverse experiences and insights from various regions and contexts.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and research findings, this Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of the critical role that community seed banks play in creating resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural systems. We hope that this collection will inspire further research, policy development, and practical initiatives to support these vital institutions in their mission to protect our agricultural heritage and ensure food security for future generations.

Dr. Alba Cuena Lombraña
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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