Barcoding scientists aspire to adhere to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity by promoting conservation, sustainability, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from use of genetic resources. (Image: Juan Manuel Escalante, wwww.realitat.com)

Although community-level seed-saving initiatives have existed in many countries around the world for about 30 years, they have rarely been the subject of systematic scientific enquiry. Based on a combination of a literature review and field research, we present a novel comprehensive conceptual framework that focuses on the multiple functions and services provided by community-based seed-saving efforts, in particular community seed banks. This framework is output oriented and complements an input oriented typology of community seed banks presented in 1997. The framework identifies three core functions: conserving genetic resources; enhancing access to and availability of diverse local crops; and ensuring seed and food sovereignty. The framework can be used for analysis of existing seed-saving initiatives and serve as a guide for the establishment of new community seed banks. In addition, it can inform the development or revision of national policies or strategies to support community seed banks. The framework's utility is illustrated by three case studies of community seed banks in Bangladesh, Guatemala and Nepal.

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Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution.Bien que les initiatives de conservation des semences au niveau des communautés aient existé depuis environ trente ans, jusqu'à récemment ils ont fait l'objet de peu d'attention de la part de la littérature scientifique sur l'adaptation au changement climatique et les ressources phytogénétiques. Se basant sur les recherches conduites dans plusieurs pays, cet article avance que les banques de semences communautaires peuvent renforcer la résilience des agriculteurs, en particulier ceux vivant dans les communautés et les foyers les plus affectés par le changement climatique. Les banques de semences communautaires peuvent garantir l'amélioration de l'accès à/la disponibilité des cultures et des variétés adaptées au plan local, et renforcer les connaissances et les compétences indigènes en gestion des plantations, y compris la sélection, le traitement, le stockage, la multiplication et la distribution des semences.Aunque las iniciativas comunitarias para conservar semillas existen desde hace casi 30 años, hasta hace poco tiempo dichas iniciativas habían recibido poca atención en investigaciones científicas sobre la adaptación al cambio climático y a los recursos fitogenéticos. Tomando como base investigaciones realizadas en varios países, el presente artículo sostiene que los bancos comunitarios de semillas pueden acentuar la resiliencia de los campesinos, particularmente la de aquellos hogares y comunidades más afectados por el cambio climático. Los bancos comunitarios de semillas pueden mejorar el acceso a cultivos adaptados a ambientes locales y a variedades diversas, así como su disponibilidad. A la vez, enriquecen los conocimientos indígenas, fortaleciendo sus habilidades en la gestión de plantas, lo cual abarca la selección, el tratamiento, el almacenamiento, la multiplicación y la distribución de semillas. ARTICLE HISTORY

There is growing recognition that sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems and their successful adaptation to changes in climate will depend upon the improved access to, and use of, genetic diversity. This paper analyzes how the collection, use and distribution of plant genetic resources by the Consortium of International Research Centers of the CGIAR are influenced by international and national policies, treaties and agreements. Some concerns exist among CGIAR scientists about continued access to, and distribution of, plant genetic resources. Study findings point to an increasing influence of international and national policies and legal frameworks on the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) by the CGIAR centers and the dissemination of CGIAR-improved germplasm first to partners in agricultural research organizations and then to final users of new plant varieties developed through research partnerships. This situation may, in the longer term, have a serious impact