Seeds for Needs

Challenge

With climatic uncertainty projected to increase in the future, agriculture and food security are more vulnerable than ever. Poor smallholder farming communities in the developing world will be hardest hit. These farmers need quick solutions – especially seeds able to thrive in a changing climate.

Solution

Diversification of crops and varieties is one way to give farmers more options in times of need. But farmers do not always have the right information or planting material available.

Seeds for Needs

Bioversity International's Seeds for Needs approach provides an effective and cost-efficient way improve and diversify smallholder seed systems through better information and access to a portfolio of adapted crops and varieties.

In 14 countries across Africa, Asia and Central America, more than 40,000 farmers have become citizen scientists evaluating and selecting varieties, providing critical feedback on the seeds that meet their needs.

The Seeds for Needs approach creates lasting solutions for resilience and climate change adaptation for smallholder farming communities at a global scale.