A sacred seed vault in Guatemala is being created to support rural communities in their fight against climate change and commercialization.
The organisation, which supports nearly 70 seed banks in the Central American nation, said funding from Irish Aid and training from Irish charity group Trócaire were helping its work.
Guatemala is experiencing higher temperatures and more destructive weather events due to climate change.
The agroecological gardens in Rabinal hope that a local seed bank and other initiatives will help rural communities cope with more extreme conditions, as well as patented transgenic seeds from large corporations.
In a small room with closed doors filled with red brick shelves and clay pots, Cristobal Osorio Sanchez described how his organization distributes native plant seeds to other communities.
Proudly clutching a sprig of mint behind his ear, he said that the “House of Seeds” contained 50 varieties, while the main grains were kept elsewhere.
“Seed is crucial in our lives,” said Mr Osorio Sanchez, 69, founder of Qachuu Aloom.
“The most serious problem in our country is the threat to our own seeds.
“We are here to protect our local seeds because they provide food that can resist disease.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
