A Systematic Mapping Review of Resilient Seed Systems

Current formal agricultural seed systems are not resilient and have not necessarily ensured food diversity, nutrition and security. There is a need to identify local, traditional and Indigenous seed systems to acknowledge and understand the processes and outcomes which have led to their sustainability and resiliency. A systematic literature review was conducted with both academic, research for development, organization driven, and community generated literature with the aim of documenting and systematizing experiences of agricultural smallholders and Indigenous communities on the conservation of in-situ agrobiodiversity through informal and local seed systems for climate change adaptation and resilient livelihoods. This research identified organizational structures used in fostering in- situ conservation, their function as both technical and social innovations, several cross-cutting elements, and a key distinction between sustainability and resiliency as it relates to agriculture. This study presents and identifies a diversity of cases and experiences that can enable novel and local mechanisms to mobilize biodiversity conservation from local to international levels which can benefit Indigenous, family and small-scale agriculture in accessing diverse, good quality seed that can help address climate change and improve livelihoods while contributing to innovative use of neglected, orphan and underutilized species around the world. Practices to strengthen resilience at community and system levels are vital, as are new forms of collaboration with the private sector, academia, community-based organizations, and local and national governmental and non-governmental organizations. This information can serve to identify new themes for future research in this field internationally and in Ontario. Funding: SSHRC + Arrell Food Institut