Taking stock: an account of Seed Saver groups in Aotearoa / New Zealand 2010, their contributions to, and the gaps inhibiting greater benefits to biological diversity conservation

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the little studied topic of seed saver groups in New Zealand assessing the context within which they operate in order to describe their current state of activity. It finds that seed savers can make a significant contribution to the conservation of biological diversity, namely crop genetic diversity. Twenty groups were contacted, with nine useful replies documented to provide a picture of Seed Saving Group activity in 2010. Seed Saver groups are found to exhibit similarities and distinct differences on a range of measures including group size, socioeconomic status of members, means of organising, mission and objectives, resources and values. Significantly, the focus of seed saving groups is to act as a hub or centre of a network to promote seed saving and seed exchange. As primarily voluntary organisations, their biggest challenge is to have enough people carry out their work.