Nine out of every ten bites of food around the world begin with seed. In an age of ever-changing growing conditions, food security requires seeds that grow well in Canada today, and have the genetic diversity needed to adapt to tomorrow’s climates. The trends are worrisome. The Canadian food system relies on less than a handful of varieties of a few major crops. The seeds that produce these crops are largely bred for uniformity and performance under controlled conditions. Canadian farmers who want to grow biodiverse vegetables and grains are often forced to purchase seeds from the US, Europe or further afield.
USC Canada, one of Canada’s oldest international NGOs, knows from its experience overseas that the crops of smallholder producers feed, in fact, the majority of our planet’s population. These farmers have bred 5000 crops and donated over 2.1 million varieties of seed to the world’s gene banks. The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security will value and strengthen this kind of innovation.
With an official start date of February 1, 2013, the four-year program will support regional and national initiatives to at least double the production and spread of biodiverse and locally-adapted seed. In so doing, the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security will help Canadians reverse global trends that have already led to a loss of about 75 percent of our planet’s plant genetic diversity.
Gretchen Bauta, the benefactor of this program and daughter of W. Garfield Weston, became aware decades ago of the importance of seed to a secure and nutritious food supply. She has since shown remarkable passion and generosity in support of seed security and environmental conservation.
This program stems directly from the leadership of Seeds of Diversity Canada in conserving Canadian seed biodiversity since 1984. Thanks must also be extended to the pioneering work of Sharon Rempel and other Canadian seed advocates who have worked for years, mostly as volunteers, to lay the groundwork for this effort. The Bauta Initiative on Canadian Seed Security will build on this work and collaborate with a broad range of actors including seed producers, farmers and farmer organizations, seed banks, organic industry actors, researchers, government, and food organizations.
USC Canada will steer the program, which will feature training, granting, applied research, market development, and support for improved public access to seed. It will be delivered in close collaboration with Seeds of Diversity Canada and regional partners across the country. For further information visit www.usc-canada.org or contact Jane Rabinowicz, Program Director, at: jane@usc-canada.org.