English (en) | Change Language

Seed Banking / Creating a Seed Bank

Seeds naturally have a place in almost any endeavor having to do with agricultural development. Seeds represent the promise of a continued supply of food, nutrition, and ecosystem improvement for farmers. Seed sovereignty and access are vital to farm survival. Distributing improperly stored seeds that germinate poorly exposes farmers and communities to the risk of crop failure and culture and heritage loss. Seed banks create opportunities for smallholder farmers to produce, save, and share quality seeds that are desirable, affordable, and accessible to all. ECHO's informational and training resources focus on low-cost methods and appropriate technologies for multiplying, processing, and storing seeds of crops selected for their potential to succeed in local contexts. Examples of seed banking technologies promoted by ECHO include:

  • earthbag seed storage structures
  • the use of locally available desiccants
  • vacuum sealing with modified bicycle pumps and syringes
  • seed viability testing

ECHO staff are constantly innovating and researching aspects of seed saving and banking in the tropics. This collection focuses on the knowledge and systems useful in developing seed storage and distribution capacity. If you are interested in the process of growing out plants for saving seed, please see our seed saving collection.

  1. Seed Storage in the Tropics

    Key Resource
    2016-03-22 Yearly production of grains, pulses, and vegetables depends on a reliable supply of quality seed. This is true for the farmer growing a crop to feed their family as well as for the agricultural worker evaluating and growing out seeds of a new crop species or variety that could improve lives. In...
    Seed Storage Seed Germination Seed Bank

  2. Vacuum-Sealing Options for Storing Seeds

    Key Resource
    2019-01-07 Two broad categories of seeds exist, referred to as recalcitrant and orthodox. The former must be kept moist and planted soon after they are collected; large-seeded fruits such as mango and avocado are typical examples. The second type of seeds are discussed in this document. Orthodox seeds are...
    Seed Storage Vacuum Sealing Seed Saving Seed Bank Stored seed pests

  3. Seed Drying Cabinet

    Key Resource
    2002-01-01 Seed storage is often a problem in the tropics. However, if seeds can be properly dried, they will remain viable for a longer period of time. The seed drying cabinet described here can help improve the viability of seeds in storage. What's Inside: Introduction Description Diagram Observations
    Appropriate Techno... Seed Seed Saving Seed Drying

  4. ECHO Asia Research: Local treatments and vacuum sealing as novel control strategies for stored seed pests in the tropics

    2017-03-22 Seed conservation under tropical climates is a great challenge when usual storage technology is lacking. Seed pests and the loss of seed viability are among the main risks faced by farmers and seed banks. ScientistsLawrence et. al.recently found that vacuum sealing significantly reduces stored...
    Bruchids Vacuum Sealing Lablab Seed Treatment Seed Storage Germplasm Asia

  5. ECHO Asia Impact Center partner spotlight - the Kahelu Center

    The ECHO Asia Impact Center is staffed by the most dedicated and hardworking people! We would like to introduce you to our partner in Myanmar, the Kahelu Center! This partner has done a tremendous job developing an excellent seed banking facility. It is the desire of ECHO Asia to partner with...
    Seed Saving Asia

  6. Constructing an Improved Cold Room for Seed Storage

    Key Resource
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #27 When planning to construct a “Cold Room” or “Seed Storage Room” for the purpose of preserving seed viability, one must first consider principles for optimum seed storage. InECHO Asia Note 14(July 2012), we shared results from our comparison of vacuum...
    Seed Bank Seed Storage Cooling Asia

  7. Testing Seed Viability Using Simple Germination Tests

    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #11 Editor: Abram serves as the Coordinator of SustainabilityResearch and as an Instructor with the InternationalSustainable Development Studies Institute in Chiang Mai. He also assists the ECHO Asia Impact Center as a technicaladvisor. Introduction and...
    Asia

  8. How to Build a Low-Cost ECHO Asia Seed Germination Chamber

    A how-to video describing how to build a low-cost seed germination chamber using local materials in Asia. This research was made possible by a generous gift from Hort CRSP and USAID.
    Seed Saving Seed Germination Germination Asia

  9. Build Your Own Seed Germination Cabinet for Testing Seed Viability

    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #8 Editor: Abram serves as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow andInstructor with the International Sustainable DevelopmentStudies Institute in Chiang Mai. He also assists the ECHO AsiaRegional Office as a technical advisor. Introduction and Background Saving your...
    Asia

  10. Low-Cost Seed Storage Technologies

    2023-07-13 This article summarizes ECHO research published in Experimental Agriculture by Trail et al. (2022).Many smallholder farmers in the tropics do not have electricity or access to equipment for climate-controlled seed storage. There are, however, low-cost technologies that can be used instead. The...
    Seed Storage Seed technology Vacuum Sealing Seed Saving

  11. The Value of a Seed: Growing a Network of Community Level Seed Banks in Asia

    This article is from ECHO Asia Note # 36. As an organization that seeks to equip people with agricultural resources and skills, we often find ourselves coming back to the seed. Again and again we witness the value saving open-pollinated seeds, shedding light on locally adapted and underutilized...
    Seed Bank Asia

  12. Low-Cost Natural Building Options for Storing Seed in Tropical Southeast Asia

    2021-01-01 Keeping in mind the insulating qualities and low-cost of construction of natural building techniques, ECHO Asia began testing different methods at the Asia Impact. In 2018, ECHO conducted a small experiment in Thailand and Myanmar to test these hypotheses, specifically within the Southeast Asian...
    Earthbag House Seed Storage

  13. Poster - Low-Cost Natural Building Options for Storing Seeds in Southeast Asia

    2019-01-20 Given the proper facilities necessary to store seeds long-term, whereby low temperature and low humidity are kept stable over time, it is very possible to store most orthodox seeds for several years at a time in the tropics (Harrington, 1972). Unfortunately, implementation and maintenance of the...
    Seed Storage Asia

  14. Earthbag Seed Banks

    Key Resource
    2020-06-29 Seed storage in the tropics has been a frequent topic of ECHO publications and trainings due to its importance to the smallholder farmer. Access to quality seeds is imperative for agronomic and horticultural crop production. While on-farm seed saving benefits the smallholder farmer, cooperative...
    earth building Earthbag House Seed Bank Seed Storage

  15. Earthbag House Construction Guide

    This document presents key steps the ECHO Asia staffused to build an Earth Bag Seed Storage House on the new ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center in Thailand.
    Earthbag House earth building

  16. A Snapshot of the ECHO Asia Small Farm Resource Center & Seed Bank

    2020-03-13 This article is from ECHO Asia Note # 41. With a new decade upon us, the ECHO Asia team is pleased to highlight the next chapter in its engagement with the Asia regional network. Many of you are well aware of the goings on of ECHO Asia, but for some it may come as news that we have launched a new...
    Small Farm Develop... Agricultural Exten... Small Farm Resourc... Seed Bank Coolbot

  17. Vacuum Sealing vs. Refrigeration: Which is the most effective way to store seeds?

    2012-07-01 This article is from ECHO Asia Note #14 Introduction Storing seeds in the tropics can often be difficult; with high temperatures and humid conditions, seeds lose their ability to germinate quickly. Many techniques for seed storage exist, from the high-tech standards of gene banks to simple...
    Asia

  18. SWISSAID - SWTA 6 - Kitini cha kilimo hai Benki_za mbegu za jamii

    2019-11-20 Benki za mbegu za jamii ni taasisi zisizo rasmi, zinazoongozwa na kusimamiwa na wakulima au serikali za mitaa na vijiji ambayo kazi ya msingi ni kuhifadhi mbegu kwa ajili ya matumizi ya ndani. Benki hizi zinapatikana katika maeneo mengi duniani na zimekuwepo kwa miaka mingi zikiwa na lengo la...
    East Africa

  19. Introducing New Seeds Overseas

    Key Resource
    2000-01-21 ECHO is frequently asked, by groups or individuals from North America, to suggest vegetable seeds to take with them on short trips overseas. Often the group is a “work team” that is being sent by a church. Someone with the group they are going to visit has asked them to bring vegetable seeds. Or...
    Vegetables Seed Sources Seed Selection Gardening Seeds

  20. Protection of Plant Genetic Resources

    Key Resource
    1998-01-01 The first section of this note focuses in on a new technology, called the ‘technology protection system’ by its developers and ‘terminator technology’ by its opponents. This technology illustrates the potential for patents to impact society at the fundamental level of food production. The...
    Plant Genetics Plant Protection Property Rights

  21. Building the Bank

    A community seed bank can compare favourably with its High-Tech cousin.
    Seed Bank

  22. Seed Saving in the Tropics: Lessons Learned from the Network

    This article is from ECHO Asia Note #28 For both farmers and researchers in the tropics, seed saving can be very frustrating. In Mondulkiri province, farmers are rarely able to keep seed for more than the six months between harvest and the new planting season. Seeds stored longer than this tend...
    Asia

  23. Community Seed Banks: Concept and Practice - Facilitator Handbook (Updated Version)

    2020-01-20 Over three decades, a number of international and national organizations have provided technical and financial support to community seed banks around the world. Only a few of these organizations have developed and published a practical guide about how they have offered this support. This...

  24. Developing Community Seed Banking Practices through Low-Cost Appropriate Technology Use

    This article by ECHO Asia Staff membersPatrick Trail, Yuwadee Danmalidoi, and Boonsong Thansrithong, appeared in ARI's'Eudoo' Journal of Rural Future Study(May, 2021) A number of motivations exist for saving seed at the community level, including crop biodiversity preservation, food sovereignty...

  25. Preventing Insect Damage of Stored Seed Using Low-Cost Control Options

    Key Resource
    This article is from ECHO Asia Note # 37. Seed saving in sub-tropical and tropical climates is challenging. Without equipment designed to maintain dry and cool environments, the quality of seeds may quickly deteriorate. High temperature and humidity during storage increase seed metabolism and...
    Seed Storage Bruchids Pest Control

  26. SWISSAID - SWTA 7 - Quality Declared Seeds (QDS)

    2019-11-20 Mbegu ni sehem ya mmea ambayo hutumika kuzalisha/kuotesha mmea mwingine, yaweza kuwa ni zao la ua au sehem ya mmea iliyokomaa na kuwa tayari kuendelea kuoteshwa tena, mfano vipando vya muhogo Mbegu ni mojawapo ya pembejeo muhimu katika kilimo. Mbegu za daraja la kuazimiwa ubora (QDS) ni mojawapo...
    East Africa

  27. Bicycle Pump Vacuum Sealer for Seed Storage

    2015-01-20 Storing seeds in the tropics can often be difficult; with high temperatures and humid conditions, seeds lose their ability to germinate quickly. Many techniques for seed storage exist, from the high-tech standards of gene banks to simple methods used by villagers for saving their own seeds. All...
    Seed Storage Seed Bank Bicycle Pump

  28. A Low-Cost Germination Chamber in Earthbag House Seed Bank in NE Cambodia

    ECHO Asia, in collaboration with Ntuk Nti small farm resource center and International Cooperation Cambodia (ICC), has just finished a 1-year research project (funded by the Presbyterian Hunger Program- USA) to identify key indigenous vegetable crop species in NE Cambodia and strengthen the seed...
    Seed Bank Germination Seed Germination Seeds Viability Research Appropriate Techni... Earthbag House Asia

  29. Seed Cleaning and Seed Germination Testing poster

    Key Resource 2019-10-01 Seed saving is an important pratice for small-scale farmers. Each crop is unique, and therefore each seed needs to be cleaned in a different way. In this workshop, Khun Wah will share her years of experience cleaning and saving seed of underutilized edible crop varieties that are important to SE...
    Seed Germination Cleaning Seeds ECHO Resources Asia

  30. Creating a Seed Bank

    This group pageexists so that individuals involved in Creating Seed Banksaround the world can connect. We encourage you to share the challenges you face in your endeavors, discuss lessons and techniques learned through your experiences, and share your story!
    Seed Bank

  31. Seed Banking & Saving

    2017-05-24 This presentation discusses the importance and benefits of seed saving the advantages of good seeds how to identify and collect good seed principles of harvesting seed seed propagation seed cleaning ... and many other things!
    Seed Bank Seed Saving Asia

  32. Community Seed Banking

    2015-10-06 Speaker Bio:Bhuwon Sthapit is the Senior Scientist at Bioversity International. He earned a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from the University of Wales, UK, and is a pioneer in participatory crop improvement methods. He has over 30 years of experience in implementing biodiversity related projects in...
    Seed Bank Asia

  33. Seed Fairs: Fostering Local Seed Exchange to Support Regional Biodiversity

    Key Resource
    2014-06-01 When you come across an especially promising local variety of a crop grown in your area, how can you enable other farmers to try out this variety? If a farmer gives you 30 seeds of an exceptional variety, how might you go about distributing these? How does seed flow happen in and among...
    Biodiversity Seed Fair Seed Exchange Seed Systems Seed industry and ...

  34. The GRIN-Global Project - Seed Bank

    The GRIN-Global project's mission is to provide a scalable version of the Germplasm Resource Information Network(GRIN)suitable for use by any interested genebank in the world. The GRIN-Global database platform has been and is being implemented at various genebanks around the world. For more...
    Seed Bank Germplasm

  35. Syringe Vacuum Pump: An appropriate technology for seed saving which is suitable for smallholder farmer.

    Vacuum-sealing seeds is highly effective, but the technology to do it is often out of the reach of small-scale farmers. This one dollar solution can help small-scale farmers store seeds more reliably, improving seed viability and reducing loss. This research was done in Cambodia as part of "Seeds...
    Asia

  36. Clay Beads for Drying and Preserving Seeds

    2023-10-02 This article summarizes work being done at ECHO in Florida to develop a method for small-scale farmers and community seed banks to make their own desiccant to dry and preserve seeds. The three main requirements are clay, wood ash, and a way to heat the beads.
    Desiccants Seed Drying

  37. Oven-Dried Rice as a Desiccant for Seed Drying

    2024-01-01 Seed preservation is an effective tool to promote agrobiodiversity. Seed preservation also increases the cultivation of local plant species better adapted to specific areas, enhances genetic variability in pollinated species, and preserves food security. Seed preservation saves farmers money and...
    Seed Drying Desiccants

  38. The Cycle of Refinement: Seed Saving Idea Sharing

    2016-09-26 Mike McMahon of the Charis Teaching Farm, recently contacted us about an experiment to try to adapt the CO2 seed saving technique presented in AN28 to verify if it could work for his context. Mike and his team conducted an experiment building and utilizing a root cellar at the Charis Farm in Tak...
    Seed Saving Seed Storage Asia

  39. Best Practices for Saving Seeds, A small farmer coping strategy for self-reliance in Conflict areas

    2015-11-04
    East Africa

  40. Community Seed Banks Origins, Evolution and Prospects

    2015-01-01 Despite 25 years of history and the rapid growth in number, organizational diversity and geographical coverage of community seed banks, recognition of their roles and contributions has remained scanty. This book reviews their history, evolution, experiences, successes and failures, challenges and...
    Germplasm Resource... Community Seed Banks

  41. How to Develop and Manage Your Own Community Seed Bank: Farmers’ Handbook (Updated Version)

    2020-01-20 This handbook is a companion to Vernooy, R., Sthapit, B. and Bessette, G. (2020). Community seed banks: concept and practice. Facilitator handbook (updated version). Bioversity International, Rome, Italy (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/81286). The three booklets making up this handbook were written...

  42. Millennium Seed Bank resources

    The Millennium Seed Bank has published a number of more detailed technical guides to various aspects of our work. Technical Information Sheets A collection of technical information sheets produced by Millennium Seed Bank staff, covering various aspects of seed conservation practices and...
    Seed Bank Seeds Library Digital Resource

  43. Comparison of Appropriate Tropical Seed Storage Techniques for Germplasm Conservation in Mountainous Sub-Tropical Climates with Resource Constraints

    Experimental Agriculture Croft, M., Bicksler, A., Manson, J., & Burnette, R. (2013). COMPARISON OF APPROPRIATE TROPICAL SEED STORAGE TECHNIQUES FOR GERMPLASM CONSERVATION IN MOUNTAINOUS SUB-TROPICAL CLIMATES WITH RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS. Experimental Agriculture, 49(02), 279-294. Summary...
    Seed Bank Seed Systems Vacuum Sealing

  44. Seed Economics Intensive Part 1: Inventory Management

    This presentation on inventory management in organic seed production by Tessa Peters of the Organic Seed Alliance was recorded at the Seed Economics Intensive of the Organic Seed Growers Conference on February 14, 2018. Additional recordings from this Intensive and the Conference will be...

  45. Seed Economics Intensive Part 2: Choosing a Scale and Marketing

    This recording is from the Seed Economics Intensive at the 2018 Organic Seed Growers Conference on February 14, 2018. The presenters are Sarah Kleeger of Adaptive Seeds (retail), and Sebastian Aguilar of Chickadee Farm (wholesale). More recordings from this intensive and the conference are...

  46. Seed Economics Intensive Part 3: Working with Companies

    This presentation was recorded at the Seed Economics Intensive at the Organic Seed Growers Conference on February 14, 2018. The presenters are Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Pete Zuck of Johnny's Selected Seeds, and Tom Stearns of High Mowing Organic Seed. More recordings are...

  47. Seed Economic Intensive Part 4: Enterprise Budgets

    This presentation was recorded live on February 14, 2018 as part of the Seed Economics Intensive at the Organic Seed Growers Conference. In this presentation, Travis Greenwalt of Highland Economics discusses a new tool he created in partnership with the Organic Seed Alliance which you can use for...

  48. Seed Economics Intensive Part 5: Tracking Labor

    This presentation by Tanya Murray of Oregon Tilth was recorded at the Seed Economics Intensive at the 2018 Organic Seed Growers Conference on February 14, 2018. Learn how to track labor on your farm. More recordings from the Seed Economics Intensive, the conference, and past Organic Seed Growers...

  49. Seed Economics Intensive Part 6: Farmer Examples

    This presentation was recorded live at the Organic Seed Growers Conference on February 14, 2018 and is part of the Seed Economics Intensive. Presenters: Sarah Kleeger, Adaptive Seeds; Sam McCullough, Nash's Organic Produce; Sebastian Aguilar, Chickadee Farm, joined by Tom Stearns of High Mowing...

  50. SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Plant Health Distance Learning Modules

    Does unsafe food threaten public health in your country? Is the food you eat at risk of contamination? Or, perhaps, has your shipment of agricultural goods been held at the port of entry because of a potential cargo pest infestation? The sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) plant health distance...
    Seed Systems Phytosanitary Plant Health

  51. The Crop Genebank Knowledge Base

    This is an in-depth report of the factors to be taken into consideration when designing seed storage facilities for genetic conservation.

  52. BRAHMS Database - University of Oxford - Seed Bank

    BRAHMS(software updated to v7.9.4 on 2 June 2017) provides an integrated management system for herbaria, botanic gardens, seed banks and botanical survey as well as those undertaking floristic or taxonomic research. The BRAHMS project is an integral part of the research programme at Oxford to...

  53. Integrated Seed Sector Development

    ISSD aims to strengthen different seed systems in a country; supporting the development of a vibrant, pluralistic, and market-oriented seed sector. By cultivating an enabling environment for innovation and the coexistence of different seed systems, a wider range of farmers and seed entrepreneurs...

  54. The Improved Seed Storage Project

    CRS MercyCorps GOAL USAID 2014 Seed is the foundation for the production of cereals and grain legumes that underpins farm family food security and income across Africa and Asia. Throughout Africa, in particular, farmers themselves produce an estimated 80–100% of the seed of both local and...
    Seed Storage

  55. Rethinking the approach to viability monitoring in seed genebanks

    Abstract -Conservation Physiology Seed viability monitoring, usually through a germination test, is a key aspect of genebank management; a low viability result triggers the regeneration of an accession in order to ensure that the genetic diversity of the accession is conserved and available for...
    Seed Bank Seed Storage

  56. Factors to Consider when Selecting a Pigeon Pea Variety

    2021-01-20 Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a multi-use legume well suited to rainfed agriculture in hot, dry areas. Pigeon pea plants grow into erect (1-4 m tall) shrubsthat can live up to five years, though pigeon pea is usually grown for only one or two years. Edible, nutritious seeds, produced in pods, can...
    Pigeon Pea Varietal Selection