IN SITU (ON FARM) CONSERVATION
Within the traditional agricultural systems of smallholder farmers, the home garden or farm is a typical component that provides multiple benefits to rural families. These spaces are rich in agrobiodiversity and serve as sources of food and economic income for the household.
Between 2015 and 2018, 4,160 farming families received the restitution of more than 20 crops from the Gene Bank, including maize, potato, melloco, oca, mashua, jícama, quinoa, chocho, beans, and Amazonian fruit species, among others.
Farmers were trained in the management of agrobiodiverse farms, 70% of whom are women.
SEED FAIRS
One of the key strategies to support in situ conservation and document the agrobiodiversity maintained by farmers in their chakras is through Native Seed Fairs.
These fairs serve as a platform to measure the genetic variability present in specific localities or geographic areas and to promote the exchange of germplasm among farmers.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Through seed exchanges at these fairs, 28 previously lost crop species have been recovered, thereby increasing crop diversity in farmers’ chakras.
Seed fairs have been held in the provinces of Loja, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Los Ríos, Napo, and Orellana.
Areas of high biodiversity have been identified, as well as farmers with strong capacities to conserve local agrobiodiversity.
