Strengthening Informal Seed Systems To Enhance Food Security in Southeast Asia

Authors

  • Thomas B. Gill The Pennsylvania State University
  • Ricky Bates The Pennsylvania State University
  • Abram Bicksler International Sustainable Development Studies Institute
  • Rick Burnette ECHO
  • Vincent Ricciardi ECHO Asia Impact Center
  • Laura Yoder International Sustainable Development Studies Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2013.033.005

Keywords:

Appropriate Technology, Biodiversity, Cambodia, Food Security, Hunger, Participatory Methods, Seed Systems, Thailand

Abstract

In 2011, the number of hungry people in the world surpassed one billion for the first time. The majority of these people are largely dependent for their food security upon resource-poor smallholder farmers in developing or emerging economies. These smallholders depend on informal seed systems for 75–90% of their food crop cultivation. Southeast Asia, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots in the face of rapidly dwindling global genetic diversity, is at the forefront of seed systems issues. This article examines activities undertaken by a collaboration of researchers and local institutions to enhance food security within informal seed systems in Thai and Cambodian rural communities. We employed a two-step model for strengthening food security using a range of participatory activities to first understand and characterize, and secondly strengthen informal seed systems in the target regions. We documented seed pathways, histories, and storage as well as gender roles in each community. Informal seed systems were strengthened through identifying potential species for commercialization, addressing technological barriers to seed analysis, and conducting seed fairs and seed banking. These activities not only strengthened informal seed systems, but also significantly enhanced all four pillars of food security in the study communities. Recommendations for future informal seed systems and food security research include extending research into more communities and countries, focusing on the potential for enhancing formal seed systems, and examining the possibilities for synergies with food sovereignty approaches.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Thomas B. Gill, The Pennsylvania State University

International Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 USA.

Ricky Bates, The Pennsylvania State University

Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 USA.

Abram Bicksler, International Sustainable Development Studies Institute

International Sustainable Development Studies Institute, P.O. Box 222, Prasingh, Chiang Mai 50205, Thailand.

Rick Burnette, ECHO

ECHO Asia Impact Center, 270/5 Tung Hotel Road, Soi 6, P.O. Box 64, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand.

Vincent Ricciardi, ECHO Asia Impact Center

ECHO Asia Impact Center, 270/5 Tung Hotel Road, Soi 6, P.O. Box 64, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand.

Laura Yoder, International Sustainable Development Studies Institute

International Sustainable Development Studies Institute, P.O. Box 222, Prasingh, Chiang Mai 50205, Thailand.

Published

2013-05-29

How to Cite

Gill, T. B., Bates, R., Bicksler, A., Burnette, R., Ricciardi, V., & Yoder, L. (2013). Strengthening Informal Seed Systems To Enhance Food Security in Southeast Asia. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 3(3), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2013.033.005

Issue

Section

Open Call Paper

Similar Articles

1 2 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.