Code:
FTG/RF-15460-RG
Initiative:
Call for Proposals
FONTAGRO Amount:
USD 366.586
Counterpart Amount:
USD 584.380
Execution time
36 Months
Total Amount:
USD 950.966
Participating countries:
Chile Chile Argentina Argentina Paraguay Paraguay Uruguay Uruguay
Funding source:
FONTAGRO Amount 39% Other agencies 0% Counterpart Amount 61%

Executive Summary

In Latin America, 80-90 % of producers belong to the Family Agriculture (FA) sector. This group occupies between 14 to 70% of the agricultural area of Latin American countries and contributes 27-67 % of agricultural GDP. For some species of economic importance, between 50 to 90% of crop production is carried out using traditional seeds through self-production or through transactions in local markets, exchanges between farmers and markets.

There is a growing demand for sustainably produced local food. Such characteristics are valued by consumers and demand has created niche markets that give good returns to farmers. This supports the interest of governments to strengthen family agricultural production systems that have maintained traditional varieties (TV). Various initiatives developed by national organizations and centers show that important agrobiodiversity still remains in situ. Despite this, access to TV seeds is limited, mainly because TVs are cultivated for self-consumption and/or maintained only by some farmers, meaning their cultivation is restricted to certain localities or they are produced in small volumes. Another problem of the current traditional seed supply system (informal or traditional system) is the quality of the seeds. Generally, these seeds can show sanitary problems, low vigor, varietal blends, and a high population unevenness. The scarce information on agronomic behavior in various growing environments, nutritional and organoleptic values prevents an adequate choice for farmers. All these factors hinder the possibilities of transforming TVs into a true profitable productive alternative in the region. This project aims to implement an integrated model of conservation / production and supply of quality TV seeds with associated value information, based on the linkage of national genebanks with in situ systems (farmer-community), which will allow a better and sustainable supply of quality seeds, the basis for promoting their cultivation and promoting the development of competitive local products, with heritage identity.

The technological solution

The project proposes to intervene in the initial stage of the chain increasing the supply and quality of TV seeds. For this purpose, the creation of an integrated system of production / varietal supply of horticultural species for better management of traditional seeds is proposed, to thus strengthen the competitiveness of FA in participating countries.

Results

  • Increase the varietal supply of traditional seeds through the link with the INIAs germplasm bank.
  • Characterize the traditional seed system in the study territories.
  • Develop an access system and germplasm linkage and exchange instruments that provide sustainability to the system.

Beneficiaries

625 families dedicated to family agriculture in Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being Responsible consumption and production Partnerships for the goals

Main donors

Participating Organizations

Executor
  • Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) - Chile
Co-executor
  • CONAGRO - Chile
  • Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Argentina
  • Instituto Paraguayo de Tecnología Agraria (IPTA) - Paraguay
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA) - Uruguay
  • UdelaR - Uruguay

Graphics and data

Financing by country (in USD)
FONTAGRO Amount Other agencies Counterpart Amount

Geolocated Map

Researchers

Sponsors
BID
IICA
With the support of
Fondo Coreano de Alianza para el Conocimiento en Tecnología e Innovación (KPK)