On July 8, a camp named \u201cSeed Guardians\u201d was held at the Marneuli College \u201cModus,\u201d organized by the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG). The event took place within the framework of the project SEEDGUARD: Seed Guardians for Biodiversity, Agrobiodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Climate Adaptation. Its aim was to promote the preservation and popularization of traditional Georgian vegetable seeds.<\/p>\n
The camp brought together local farmers, seed enthusiast producers, and youth from the project\u2019s pilot regions, as well as academic staff from the \u201cModus\u201d College horticulture program and representatives of local authorities.<\/p>\n
The meeting included a group discussion focusing on the concept of Community Seed Collections (CSC), their significance, objectives, and operational principles.<\/p>\n
Participants were introduced to international practices for local seed production and collections, and they discussed methods for seed cleaning, storage, and exchange.<\/p>\n
The event was led by the project coordinator, Nino Zurabishvili, who facilitated a practical, experience-based dialogue during the group work.
\nActivities will continue on July 9, with the second day dedicated to visiting greenhouses and vegetable producers, where discussions on the financial and legislative aspects of seed supply, procurement, and exchange are planned.<\/p>\n
The SEEDGUARD project aims to protect traditional vegetable varieties and species, ensure agrobiodiversity and food security, and enhance the diversity of healthy food and ecosystem services. The initiative includes establishing community-based seed collections and banks, significantly improving vegetable producers\u2019 access to traditional seeds.<\/p>\n
The project is implemented by NALAG with co-financing from the European Union under the Black Sea Basin Program.<\/p>\n