Farmers and Experts Discuss Seeds: What We Discussed Together

The 10th Annual Conference of the Farmers’ Seed Network took place on 8–9 April 2023 at the Institute of Organic Cycling, China Agricultural University (Suzhou). Acting as a co-organiser, Foodthink was present on site and played a central role in shaping and moderating the conference programme.

Four community partners supported through Phase 3 of the “Lianhe Programme”, a joint initiative backed by Foodthink and the Farmers’ Seed Network, were also invited to attend: the Henan Ruzhou Eco-Agricultural Development Association, the Guangxi Rongyan Eco-Farming and Breeding Cooperative, Wuhan Little Farmer Eco-Farm, and Guizhou Manyou Eco Family Farm. Throughout 2022, these organisations, alongside eight other “Lianhe partners”, progressively established community seed banks in their local areas, furthering the in-situ conservation of living seeds.

The stimulating discussions over the two days have only strengthened our conviction: traditional farmer varieties and local landraces are cultivated through practice, drawing on generations of accumulated traditional knowledge, agronomic experience, and cultural customs. They constitute a shared public resource for farming communities, and their conservation must not fall exclusively on the most marginalised growers. Rather, it requires support from both civil society and government. Farmers’ rights to save and breed seeds must not be revoked, and the value they generate in safeguarding heritage varieties must not be eroded by commercial capital. Let us now look back at the highlights of this year’s conference.

Group photograph at the 10th Annual Conference of the Farmers’ Seed Network

DAY 1

Li Ji, Director of the Institute of Organic Circulation at China Agricultural University (Suzhou), delivered the opening address for this year’s conference. He briefly outlined the institute’s current work and called on all attendees to focus on soil health, as well as high-quality seeds and food.

Opening address by Li Ji, Director of the Institute of Organic Circulation at China Agricultural University (Suzhou)

Song Xin from the Farmers’ Seed Network presented a review and showcase of the Network’s work in 2022. The Network’s ecological selection and breeding trials and legume-focused projects, alongside the ‘Small Beans, Big Health’ campaign, have accumulated valuable experience for the sustainable use of local varieties. Two seed training sessions in Kunshan and Nanning brought everyone together. In addition, the Farmers’ Seed Network took part in the second phase of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), showcasing Chinese case studies alongside domestic NGOs, media organisations, and corporate partners.

Song Xin reflects on the key work of the Farmer Seed Network in 2022

Wang Qian from the Institute for Sustainable Global Environment provided a detailed breakdown of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the progress made by non-state actors in supporting biodiversity conservation. Anchored in a ‘theory of change’, the framework is action- and results-driven, establishing intermediate and long-term targets for 2030 and 2050. Many of these targets are closely tied to the work of the Farmer Seed Network, including the conservation and utilisation of genetic resources for food and agriculture.

Theme Discussion 1: Community-based In-situ Conservation of Agricultural Genetic Resources

The first discussion was centred on the theme of “Community-based In-situ Conservation of Agricultural Genetic Resources“. Liu Xiting from Muyunpo shared how the Bosha Seed Vault makes full use of local resources, integrating traditional culture with villagers’ needs for public activity spaces to establish practical operational and management systems. Yu Jiangang from “Meihe Yu” shared his motivations for returning home and cultural identity, the pathways and principles for living conservation, as well as the pop-up traditional food events and food and farming writing he organises. Facing real-world challenges such as village demolition and the disappearance of traditional family farms, Yu hopes to work towards rebuilding a sustainable traditional farming culture.

Lu Ruixiang from Aohan Banner, the birthplace of global millet, shared how local seed enterprises can work alongside communities to promote the conservation of local millet varieties in the region. Lu aims to practise circular agriculture integrating crop cultivation and livestock rearing, conserve heritage seeds, and conduct variety adaptation trials.

Ni Yongwang, a young returnee from Que Niao Miao Village on Leigong Mountain, shared insights into running the Que Niao Manyou Family Eco-farm, and discussed how cross-sector collaboration helped establish Guizhou’s local “Banhe Gongzuo” heritage rice seed exchange network, spreading traditional farming wisdom to the public.

To conclude the first session, Zhang Zongwen from the Beijing Representative Office of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT provided commentary on the current state and future trends of in-situ conservation of agricultural genetic resources in China.

Mr Zhang recognised the work of the farmer seed networks and the approach of living conservation for heritage seeds. He noted “As we conserve, we also utilise and select, continually breeding varieties to adapt to nutritional and food improvements, which effectively supports rural development.”

He also encouraged us to pay attention to the government’s recently issued policies on the evaluation and conservation of local germplasm resources, which will serve as crucial documentation for confirming property rights in the future.

Mr Zhang Zongwen’s commentary and reflections

Mr Zhang Zongwen comments and shares his reflections

Discussion Topic Two: From seed to table: case studies on utilising farm-saved seeds

The second discussion centred on “case studies of utilising farmer-saved varieties from seed to plate”. Xiao Yunsheng from the Beijing Organic Farmers’ Market shared insights on the potential for farmer-saved varieties to regain vitality through market channels. Xiao Yunsheng compared the differing perspectives of consumers, producers, and researchers, advising farmers to ground themselves in the consumer’s viewpoint during marketisation: can it be eaten, does it taste good, how is it prepared, and can it be purchased (including via delivery)? Furthermore, Xiao highlighted the advantages of physical farmers’ markets, noting that the strong, face-to-face connections fostered there are particularly beneficial when promoting non-standardised heritage varieties.

Chen Ziyu from Wocuiyuan Ecological Farm shared experience in bringing ecologically grown heritage varieties to market, recounting how, despite facing numerous challenges, Wocuiyuan remained steadfast in cultivating these older varieties. Chen expressed gratitude to the Beijing Organic Farmers’ Market, explaining that through it, consumers and farming friends have built mutual trust bridging urban and rural divides, meeting faithfully at the market regardless of the weather.

Li Zhi from Genben Farm shared stories of connecting heritage variety sprouts with consumers. Genben Farm grows its sprouts organically, with products such as soya bean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, and pea shoots gaining popularity in the market.

Wu Xiangxing from Sanniangwan Village, Qinzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region discussed how “new” varieties were introduced to school gardens to support science popularisation at Sanniangwan Primary School. Leveraging community strength, they established vegetable gardens within the primary school, which not only greened the campus but also advanced food and farming education for local primary school children.

To conclude the second discussion, Chang Tianle from Foodthink provided commentary on how farmer-saved varieties can be integrated into the ecological agriculture value chain. Chang examined the tension between varietal consistency and heterogeneity, questioning whether farmers should make successive compromises to cater to consumers’ diverse demands. She argued that if our goal is simply to live out our ideal lifestyle, then maintaining one’s original, unadorned aspirations and living authentically is a coherent way to live, even if it means earning less than one might ideally hope for.

Commentary by Chang Tianle from Foodthink

Session Three: Ecological Seed Certification Discussion

The third session focussed on ecological seed certification. David Gould, Seed Platform Officer at the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), shared IFOAM’s stance and experience across several areas, including how to secure organic seed supply and safeguard farmers’ rights. Xu Qian from Beijing Eco-Cert Certification Centre Co., Ltd. presented the certification standards for farm-saved ecological seeds and ecological products. Xu Qian observed that heritage varieties and ecological agriculture form an excellent pairing, suggesting that a certification framework for farm-saved ecological seeds and products could open a viable pathway for the sustainable use of these traditional varieties.

Zhao Jianshe from the Henan Zhongyuan Organic Agriculture Research Institute discussed the production and certification of organic vegetable seeds in Henan, detailing how the institute drives the conservation of local varieties and outlining its organic seed initiative. Wang Rui from Beijing Organic Farmers’ Markets shared his practical reflections on implementing Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).

To conclude the third session, Professor Qiao Yuhui from the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences at China Agricultural University delivered commentary on the retrospective and future prospects for China’s organic agriculture and organic seed systems.

Professor Qiao highlighted the stark disparity between the number of organic certifications (25,000) and organic seed certifications (45), noting the opportunities embedded within this gap. Professor Qiao argued that local landraces are inherently best suited for organic seed production, emphasising that their entire cultivation lifecycle must be taken into account. Ecological agriculture and the conservation of heritage seeds are mutually reinforcing; their potential should be allowed to flourish under natural conditions.

Commentary by Professor Qiao Yuhui, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University

Open Forum: Agriculture and Climate Change — Perceptions, Impacts and Adaptation

On the evening of the first day, Wang Hao from Foodthink and Shen Ye from the Farmers’ Seed Network facilitated an open forum themed ‘Agriculture and Climate Change — Perceptions, Impacts and Adaptation’. Farmers from across the country were divided into five regional groups to discuss the challenges they have faced in recent years due to climate change, the measures they have taken to address them, and the ongoing difficulties. Throughout the discussion, participants exchanged strategies for coping with varying climatic conditions, offering a clear picture of how climate change is impacting agricultural communities nationwide.

DAY 2: Discussion and Debate

The morning sessions examined the specific meaning and practical approaches to conserving and utilising biodiversity from multiple perspectives, including those of the scientific community and local government.

Cheng Chen from the Shanshui Conservation Center outlined the 2030 biodiversity targets set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. He praised the viability of small-scale, family-run farming models and urged attendees to pool their efforts in agricultural production and seed conservation, transforming challenges into opportunities.

Liu Qianqian from Westlake University presented her team’s latest advances in agroforestry research and introduced AI-driven ecological monitoring technologies. Zou Yi from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University shared her team’s quantitative research on biodiversity, presenting robust data to demonstrate the strong link between increased local biodiversity and the adoption of agroecological practices.

Following this, officials from local agricultural bureaus shared their experiences in grassroots farming practices and seed conservation. He Xianlin presented the dryland terraced field system in She County, Hebei, emphasising the importance of fostering farmers’ intrinsic motivation. Feng Eryong, Director of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau in Qiongzhong County, and Li Qing from the Grain and Material Reserves Bureau in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, outlined local conservation efforts for Qiongzhong Shanlan rice and Hani terraced red rice, respectively. Wang Chengfa from the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau in Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province, shared case studies on the collection and preservation of local crop varieties in the region. Having worked on the frontlines of agriculture for decades, these speakers illustrated the guiding role that local governments play in promoting agroecological practices and preserving crop diversity.

Embracing Nature: Seed Exchange

On the afternoon of 9 April, we travelled by coach 43 kilometres to the Yuefengdao Organic Farm in Kunshan. Nestled beside the Yangcheng Lake, the farm greets visitors with a burst of vitality the moment they cross the threshold. Under the guidance of ‘Brother Tang’ (Tang Yaozhong), we wandered along the stone pathways, soaking in the gifts of the ecosystem.

At the wooden lodge, we sampled the Baiyunuo sticky rice cake. Crafted from the indigenous Su Yunuo rice variety, the cakes were rolled in a flour milled from local yellow soybeans and drizzled with brown sugar syrup. One taste was enough to wash away the day’s weariness. This corner was a dedicated booth established by Yuefengdao Organic Farm for the “Small Beans, Great Health: A Biodiversity Perspective in the Context of Climate Change” initiative, supported by the Vanke Charitable Foundation. Six canvases showcasing distinctive bean varieties from various communities hung on the walls, while tables displayed the diverse range of beans conserved by the farm. Of these, the locally unique ‘Niu Ta Bian’ (flat beans) proved the most captivating.

The diverse array of beans and the fragrant soybean powder drew weekend visitors to pause, observe, and sample. Representatives from Yuefengdao Organic Farm, Shitou Cheng, and Wangjinzhuang shared stories of how their communities had first encountered, connected with, or worked to conserve these humble legumes. Captivated by the tales and the vibrant atmosphere, visitors immersed themselves in the culinary heritage surrounding these varieties. As they carefully handled the ‘Niu Ta Bian’ and ‘Yang Yan Wu Zhu’ (black soybeans with a goat’s-eye marking), they marvelled at the intrinsic value of beans and voiced a resolute commitment to safeguarding local agriculture and prioritising healthier eating habits.

Meanwhile, attending growers were enthusiastically exchanging seeds. Guided by Tian Milin, the group’s conversation leapt from Suzhou to Xishuangbanna, on to Guizhou, through Guangxi, Henan and Hebei, and finally to Inner Mongolia. Participants shared vivid anecdotes of their relationships with seeds, signing the Seed Exchange Pledge as a token of solidarity. With every seed swapped came a deeper exchange of friendship, trust, and a commitment to reciprocity.

DAY3

After two days brimming with insightful discussion and learning, Day 3 found the group still keen for more. Seizing the half-day before departure, we visited the Institute of Organic Waste Management at China Agricultural University along with its ecological rice research plots. This scientific excursion provided a fitting conclusion to our gathering. Through our collective efforts, the Farmer Seed Network has steadily expanded. Now marking its tenth anniversary, this year’s convening drew close to one hundred participants. The network operates much like a cross-disciplinary experiment: a single, humble seed bridges farmers and scientists, civil society organisations and traditional growers, links those born in the 1950s with the generation of the 2000s, and connects villages separated by thousands of miles. We were brought together by seeds, and through their conservation and use, we have deepened our commitment to ecology and reverence for nature. Friends and fellow practitioners, until we meet again next year!

Written by: Wen Xinquan, Li Meng

Edited by: Li Guanqi, Liang Weiwei

Photographs by: Zhu Yu, Shen Ye