Date: 27th-28th February 2025
Venue: Tribal Agrobiodiversity Centre, Jeypore, Koraput, Odisha, India
Seed systems are the foundation of global food security, shaping agricultural sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. In the Asia-Pacific region, traditional and community-led seed systems play a vital role in ensuring access to diverse, locally adapted, and resilient crop varieties. However, challenges such as genetic erosion, market monopolization, and weak policy support threaten their sustainability.
To address these issues, the National Consultation: Transforming Seed Systems for Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Agricultural Development in Asia was held. The event was organized by FAO and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), with K.S. Varaprasad, Adviser – Biosecurity and Bioresources, representing the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) at the workshop. The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, agricultural experts, and representatives of the farming community to explore strategies for strengthening sustainable seed systems.
Key Themes and Discussions
The Role of Seed Innovations in Agricultural Transformation
The global seed market is projected to grow from USD 76.86 billion in 2025 to USD 99.94 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.4%. Despite this expansion, only 10% of smallholder farmers in developing economies currently have access to quality seeds. This limited accessibility affects agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in regions where informal seed systems dominate. The workshop discussions emphasized that traditional seed varieties and farmer-led seed systems must be strengthened to bridge this gap. In Southeast Asia, where the seed market is expanding but remains fragmented, empowering local seed networks can help farmers access diverse, resilient, and climate-adaptive seeds.
Strengthening Community-Led Seed Systems
In many countries, particularly in India, traditional seed systems provide up to 90% of the seeds used by smallholder farmers. Community-run seed banks in Odisha have successfully conserved valuable landraces such as Kalajeera, Haldichudi, and Machakanta—indigenous rice varieties known for their resilience, aroma, and nutrition. These initiatives ensure that farmers retain control over their seed resources while preserving genetic diversity. Workshop participants emphasized the need to further integrate farmer-led seed systems into mainstream agricultural strategies.
Policy and Legal Gaps Affecting Seed Systems
Existing seed policies and legal frameworks, such as the Seed Act and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, provide limited support for alternative seed systems, making it difficult for traditional seed varieties to enter formal supply chains. Many indigenous seed varieties lack legal recognition or protection, limiting their commercial potential and discouraging farmers from conserving them. One of the key recommendations from the workshop was to improve Geographical Indications (GI) certification and legal protections for traditional seed varieties, such as pigmented rice landraces. Participants also called for updated national guidelines to streamline seed certification processes and strengthen farmer rights protections, ensuring that traditional seed custodians receive fair compensation and recognition.
Expanding Market Access and Commercialization
Traditional and heritage seeds, particularly from Odisha and other regions, have high export potential, especially in markets such as Japan, South Korea, the EU, and North America. However, the lack of developed value chains and limited branding have restricted commercial scaling. For example, the Koraput region has over 100 climate-resilient rice landraces, but only a few have successfully reached national and international markets. The discussions at the workshop underscored the need for branding, certification, and market integration strategies to secure premium prices for traditional seed varieties. These approaches can support farmer-led enterprises, promote biodiversity conservation, and strengthen traditional agricultural systems.
Digital Innovations in Seed Systems
Digital technologies have the potential to revolutionize traditional seed systems by increasing transparency, improving certification, and expanding market access. Blockchain-based seed tracking, e-marketplaces, and mobile seed exchange platforms can help farmers and seed custodians sell and distribute indigenous seeds more efficiently. The use of digital mapping for seed diversity can document indigenous knowledge, improve climate adaptation strategies, and facilitate research on climate-resilient varieties. Participants discussed how digital documentation of seed resources can help protect genetic heritage while promoting farmer-driven seed enterprises.
Global Best Practices and Lessons for Asia-Pacific
The FAO-recognized Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) provide valuable models for integrating seed conservation, culture, and local economies. Case studies from Japan’s Noto Peninsula and China’s Honghe Hani Rice Terraces demonstrated how community-led conservation efforts sustain seed diversity while creating economic opportunities. In Japan, for example, seed preservation efforts are closely tied to agritourism and cultural heritage, which generates income for local farmers. In China, the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a 1,300-year-old organic farming system, has successfully sustained diverse rice varieties with strong domestic and export demand. Discussions focused on how these models could be adapted for South and Southeast Asia, ensuring that local landraces and indigenous seed systems receive institutional support, financial investment, and market recognition.
APAARI’s Role in Seed System Transformation
The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) played a key role in facilitating discussions and sharing regional insights. This workshop also aligned with APAARI’s ongoing project, “Strengthening Phytosanitary Compliance to Boost Seed Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region (STDF/PG/755).” Through this initiative, APAARI is working to improve regulatory frameworks, enhance seed trade, and support innovative approaches to seed conservation and distribution.
APAARI emphasized that transforming seed systems requires a multifaceted approach integrating traditional seed conservation with modern innovations.
