Traditional community-led seed system for maintaining crop vigour, diversity and socio-cultural network in view of the changing climate: a case study from western Himalaya, India

The paper examines how a traditional, farmer-governed seed system supports sustainable food production, balanced nutrition, and on-farm genetic diversity, particularly under marginal, changing environmental conditions in the western Himalaya. Traditional seed systems encompass farmer-led seed selection, production, storage, and local exchange (gifts, barter, nearby markets), reinforcing socio-cultural networks and relying on ancestral knowledge and storage techniques. Such systems help internalize local weather variability, maintain soil health, buffer market influences, and ensure minimum production and income security. In the outer Himalaya, increased exposure to formal, market-driven seed systems and technologies threatens community-based plant breeding practices and in situ crop diversity. This study aims to: (1) document traditional practices across the seed system (from collection to storage), (2) understand socio-economic, ecological, and cultural significance of the traditional seed system for marginal farmers, and (3) scientifically validate traditional seed storage treatments for wheat and maize through participatory experiments.

Prior work highlights both the erosion and the value of traditional seed systems. Studies have documented loss of socio-economic and cultural knowledge associated with traditional seed systems amid acculturation and market integration, while others report that traditional practices can enhance genetic diversity and gene flow. Research has also evaluated traditional storage methods and treatments. However, much of the literature emphasizes perceptions and field observations and lacks scientific evidence on the efficacy of seed selection and storage practices. This gap motivates the present study’s documentation and participatory validation in the western Himalayan context.

Study area: The research was conducted in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, India, within the outer Himalayan Shiwalik hills and Bhabar tracts (Bet area of the Doaba region between the Sutlej and Beas rivers). The region is subtropical, topographically undulating, with coarse, pebbly soils. Temperatures range from ~4 °C (winter) to ~46 °C (summer); average annual rainfall ~1063 mm (about 70% during June–September). Three villages—Baliwal, Pubowal, and Janani—were selected due to ongoing acculturation and technological interventions and the prevalence of traditional seed practices. Agriculture relies largely on rainfall with maize (Kharif)–wheat (Rabi) rotation. About 65% of villagers are marginal/small landholders. Data documentation and analysis: Participatory research principles (IIRR 1996; Huntington 2000), India’s National Biological Diversity Act (2002) and Rules (2004), and ethical best practices (prior consent, clarity of objectives, transparency, neutrality, trust-building) were followed. Key Knowledge Holders (KKHs) were identified via chain referral among 136 farming households (age 25–85; 98 men, 38 women). Data were analyzed across age groups (25–40: 31; 41–60: 75; >60: 30), landholding size (marginal 65; small 45; medium 26), and social categories (General 45; SC/ST 40; OBC/others 51). Methods included semi-structured, open-ended interviews; Focus Group Discussions; and collaborative fieldwork to validate documented practices. Questionnaires were translated into Hindi, pre-tested, and refined. Secondary data were collected from Agriculture Department, India Meteorology Department, and Gram Panchayats. Eight field visits (Nov 2015–Jun 2018) covered key phases: growing, care, harvesting, threshing, on-site seed selection, storage, and exchange in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Researchers stayed in villages to observe farming practices and local weather changes, and documented socio-economic and cultural profiles and traditional seed system practices. Participatory seed storage experiment: Based on KKHs’ practices, seeds are stored for years in earthen pots with traditional treatments: dry neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves, wooden safety matchsticks, or both. Participatory experiments were conducted in Janani and Baliwal, where traditional storage is prevalent. Crops tested: wheat (harvested Mar–Apr 2016; experiments started May 2016) and maize (harvested Oct–Nov 2016; experiments started Nov 2016). Experimental setup and process: A total of 24 earthen pots of equal volume (2.5 kg capacity each) with lids, thin polyethylene sheets, and matchboxes were used. All 24 pots were filled with 2.0 kg wheat seed each: 12 pots with a traditional (Desi) variety and 12 pots with a hybrid variety. Traditional treatments followed local practice: pots were filled and treated, covered with polyethylene sheets and lids, sealed airtight with mud paste by KKHs, sun-dried, grouped by treatment, and placed for storage (on floor or shelf). A similar approach was planned/applied for maize following the post-harvest schedule and local advice. The experiment evaluated the effectiveness of neem leaves, safety matchsticks, and their combination as disinfectants during storage to maintain seed viability.

- Participatory experiments indicated that traditional seed storage treatments—dry neem leaves, wooden safety matchsticks, and their combination—function effectively as disinfectants during storage, with slight differences in effectiveness among treatments. - Traditional seed systems (selection, storage, exchange) help maintain crop vigour and diversity in the maize–wheat rotation of the study area. - Traditional seed exchanges facilitate trusted, locally adapted seed flow, sustain socio-cultural relationships, and support timely, economical access to seed with good germination potential, as highlighted by community knowledge and the study’s graphical synthesis. - Earthen pot storage with traditional treatments enables multi-year seed storage under local conditions, aligning with farmers’ long-standing practices.

The study’s documentation and participatory validation address the research aims by providing evidence that farmer-developed storage treatments can effectively protect wheat and maize seed during storage, thereby supporting seed viability and crop vigour. These findings reinforce the role of traditional seed systems in conserving on-farm diversity, buffering environmental variability, and maintaining socio-cultural networks among marginal farmers in the western Himalayan foothills. The results underscore the relevance of community-led practices amid increasing exposure to formal seed systems and market inputs, highlighting their importance for seed sovereignty, local adaptation, and livelihood resilience.