🌱 Guardian of the Seeds: United for Agrobiodiversity! 🌱

The Amazonas Institute took part in the inspiring ‘Workshop on Conservation of Agrobiodiversity by Guardians in Community Seed Banks (BCS)’, organised by Embrapa on 11 and 12 February in Brasília (DF).

Representing different realities, such as Indiarrury Can Krahô from Tocantins, Ana Andrea Jantara from Paraná, Neusa Marcelino from Rio de Janeiro, Maria Ivonete from Mato Grosso, José Luiz das Chagas from São Paulo, Danusa Lisboa from Goiás, and Nazide Bentes from Amazonas, among others, met to exchange experiences and strengthen the conservation of traditional seeds.

The event, which was attended by 106 people, including seed guardians from different states, was a milestone in Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology's ConservaIn project. We emphasised the importance of genetic conservation for a sustainable future, as Marcelo Lopes, Embrapa's general manager, pointed out.

Karina Paço, forestry engineer and executive director of the Amazonas Institute, spoke about the importance of seed houses for the preservation of biodiversity: ‘We are proud to support indigenous communities in collecting and exchanging traditional seeds. The seed houses strengthen the communities' food sovereignty, providing sustainable and resilient alternatives to climate change and genetic erosion. By growing and sharing seeds, these communities keep their cultural and agricultural heritage alive, promoting diversity and sustainability for future generations.’

The event was attended by representatives from various ministries and public bodies, such as the MDS, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA), the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) and the National Supply Company (CONAB), who presented policies related to the issue.

A bill currently before Congress (PL 6.176/2013), which aims to establish a national policy to encourage community seed banks, was highlighted as crucial to strengthening local practices. ‘By connecting with these movements and government actors, Embrapa has reinforced its institutional image and commitment to the conservation of agrobiodiversity,’ said researcher Marília Burle, coordinator of the ConservaI project.

Let's continue to preserve and celebrate our agrobiodiversity! 🌾💚

#InstitutoAmazonas #Embrapa #Agrobiodiversidade #Sustentabilidade #GuardioesDasSementes #CasadeSementes