April 15th, 2008 - 2008 Project Announced


2008 Project - Newfoundland Schools
- Wollo Community Seed Bank - Ethiopia, Africa
In Association with USC Canada

This year Two Villages has partnered with USC Canada to raise funds for the Wollo Community Seed Bank in Ethiopia. The goal is quite simple – to support the efforts of local farmers and help achieve food supply security.

A seed bank stores seeds as a source for planting in case seed reserves elsewhere are destroyed. It is a type of gene bank. The seeds stored may be food crops, or those of rare species to protect biodiversity. The reasons for storing seeds may be varied. In the case of food crops, many useful plants that were developed over centuries are now no longer used for commercial agricultural production and are becoming rare. Storing seeds also guards against catastrophic events like natural disasters, outbreaks of disease, or war.

The project will include the construction of a seed bank compound in Wollo District, within the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. The space will serve many purposes beyond its primary goal of seed storage and preservation. It is a community centre with a library. The structure will serve as a meeting place and training area. Local farmers will share knowledge of local seed varieties and farming methods.

Farmers in Ethiopia have the knowledge and ability to address food supply issues. The provision of a seed bank will enable the community to work together and ensure long term sustainability.