Fomenting the SEPL milpa (three sisters) through in situ landrace maize seed protection

Overview

In Mexico, maize is a staple food and a central crop which dominates all cultivated landscapes. This sacred grain is the axis of the SEPL pluricultural milpa (three sisters) which can include up to 60 different species in the same plot. Nevertheless, together with maize, bean, chilli and squash constitute the foundation of the milpa. To preserve the future of sustainable food supply the constant diversification of maize seeds, in the hands of the farmers themselves, is essential. Semillas de Vida, a Mexican non-profit whose mission is to promote healthy food from seeds, coordinates this project proposal to ensure sustainable in situ conservation and diversification of landrace maize by establishing two communitarian local seed funds, carrying out three seed exchange fairs. Semillas de Vida also conducts workshops on seed conservation, participative seed breeding and organic inputs, and distribution of manual about the seed conservation processes, in collaboration with two locally based organizations. Under the premise that community involvement and a transdisciplinary approach are needed to trigger participatory protection processes, a project was established to foment sustainable SEPL, biodiversity and local food supply by guaranteeing the access to locally produced seeds. It recuperates knowledge and socio-ecological adapted processes to ensures that native maize seeds are preserved and constantly diversified, through selection, saving and improving them generation after generation.