Ethio-Organic Seed Action (EOSA): Establishment of a community seed bank and the services provided

Ethio-Organic Seed Action (EOSA) is an organization founded in 2002 to continue the SOS work begun by the Ethiopia National Gene Bank. EOSA is supporting the creation of local seed exchange networks by establishing community seed banks (CSBs), promoting participatory varietal selection and farmer-scientist collaboration. The program also focuses on increasing the participation of women and young people. The work in southern Wollo has been replicated by EOSA in several parts of both central and southern Ethiopia. Most recently, Ethiopia's Southern Regional Government is building publicly funded community seed banks with technical advice and training from EOSA. EOSA has also provided input to Ethiopia's National Seed policy, encouraging recognition of the value of local seed systems. The authors of this publication polled together their practical experiences and lessons learned so as to share with other interested parties in Ethiopia who would like to replicate the EOSA's CSB scheme.