Seed Study Contribution

Lead Organization:

New Venture Fund

Duration:

12/2015—12/2016

Overview:

This project seeks to proactively address the erosion of agro-biodiversity at both local and global scales. Agrobiodiversity loss has consequences for the resilience of food production systems and associated biological, agricultural and cultural diversity, particularly in the face of climate change. This project will produce a compendium of papers that reflects a diversity of perspectives on how funders can take advantage of strategic opportunities to strengthen community-based efforts to advance seed agrobiodiversity.  The recommendations found in the compendium will become the basis for development of an aligned funding strategy to be implemented by members of the AgroEcological Transitions Working Group of the Global Alliance.  The compendium and resulting funding strategy will be shared with a broad range of funders, both private and multilateral, through a targeted communications strategy.  In the longer term, it will generate dialogue with donor agencies regarding the importance and viability of supporting community-based efforts to protect and improve seed diversity and crop breeding.

Grant Aims:

This project will promote efforts to advance seed agrobiodiversity that respond to local contexts, knowledge and preferences. To this end, it seeks to inform an aligned and strategic effort to conserve and regenerate agrobiodiversity. The recommendations in the compendium will prioritize efforts that democratize innovation through promoting farmer participation in efforts to protect and improve plant genetic material.Intended outcomes:1.    Significant and strategic grantmaking by at least 5 foundations that are members of the AgroEcological Transitions Working Group (AETWG) to advance community-based efforts to advance seed agrobiodiversity.2.    Decisions by at least 3 additional foundations outside the AETWG to direct resources towards those same efforts.3.    In the longer term, generate dialogue with bilateral and multilateral donors regarding the importance and viability of supporting community-based efforts to protect and improve seed diversity and crop breeding.