The project provided alternative sources of propagation, (home gardens for 500 households in 5 villages) increasing diversity around forest community while reducing pressure on the forest for these species. 175 Varieties of 35 crop species were saved in the community seed bank. Seed exchange and multiplication activities influenced the increase in cultivation of new varieties. Seed bank produced and sold over 10 different varieties of local tomatoes, yams and garden eggs. Proceeds was used to set up a Community Biodiversity Management Fund.
Our project is restoring indigenous plant biodiversity around forest communities in Nigeria where they have been depleted over time due to over-exploitation as well as contributing to preserving traditional plant varieties and wild gene pools for Indigenous people. Our project has provided alternative sources of propagation, increasing diversity around forest communities while reducing pressure on the forest for these species.
We have shown a link between Good Nutrition which these indigenous plants bring and health of the Environment and Forests around these communities. Irrespective of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our food systems, seed saved in the Community seed bank was able guarantee continuity in the supply and distribution of seeds which represented major boater to creating resilient local food-systems at the community.