Seed security in the wake of the Corona crisis: The role of emergency aid and development cooperation

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a serious threat to humanity – not only because of the escalating death tolls expected particularly in developing countries, but also due to the implications of the restrictions imposed for fighting the spread of the virus. This policy brief looks into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on seed security, as seed security is key to food security. It explains what seed security is about and highlights the importance of genetic diversity and locally adapted and adaptable crop varieties to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change.