IICA and CARDI initiate portable seed storage initiative

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), recently engaged officials from Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda in discussions ahead of upcoming Mobile Seed Bank simulation exercises.

An IICA release shared that this effort is part of an overarching Regional Disaster Response Roadmap and is currently being carried out as a key element of the region-wide Quality Seed Initiative. Funded by IICA, the release explained that this project aims to establish a more resilient, accessible, and sustainable seed supply system capable of supporting emergency responses during disasters, as well as promoting long-term food security and proper nutrition. The initiative specifically targets addressing significant shortages of high-quality seeds following hurricanes, hydrometeorological shocks, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Additionally, it seeks to create a seed reserve—comprising high-quality varieties—to be distributed to farmers across the region during non-disaster times, thereby tackling the persistent issue of substandard seed quality. The project also advocates for the conservation and expansion of traditional heirloom seed varieties and aims to reduce dependency on expensive imported seeds.

Providing insight into the project, Dr. Curt Delice, IICA’s Special Affairs Coordinator for the Caribbean and representative in Suriname, underscored the region’s susceptibility to supply chain disruptions and the urgent need to develop dependable, locally sourced seed reserves.

“A critical component of the project is to address the issue of access to quality seeds, particularly post-disaster when there is an urgent need to immediately bring food production back on stream, and for the longer-term rehabilitation of the agricultural sector. Outside of that, even in non-disaster times, we have a challenge with access to quality seeds which limits the productivity of the regional agricultural sector, and this initiative,” he stated.

Dominica is designated as one of three regional seed production and storage hubs, alongside Antigua and Barbuda,  and Belize. These centers will facilitate seed production, storage, regional distribution, and inter-island sharing in the aftermath of disasters. IICA said that Dr. Delice also highlighted the integration of innovative technologies into the project, including the use of agricultural drones for mapping farmland before and after disasters to assist with damage assessment, seed and input distribution, reforestation efforts, and the deployment of utility vehicles to support outreach, seed collection, and farmer education.

Junior Greene, CARDI’s representative for Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat, emphasized the project’s forward-looking strategy, stating that the collaboration “represents a proactive approach to disaster preparedness and recovery”. He detailed CARDI’s role in producing, storing, and distributing climate-resilient, locally adapted seed varieties, ensuring regional access to quality planting materials during crises and recovery periods.

At the project’s launch held at CARDI’s field station, participants reportedly toured the regional seed storage bank, which houses strategic seed varieties. The group also visited a field displaying new eggplant and pumpkin crops, cultivated to support the regional seed system.

Gregory Bailey, Director of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to building a resilient, climate-smart agricultural sector. He described the Mobile Seed Bank as a “strategic intervention” that supports both immediate disaster recovery and long-term agricultural growth. He emphasized that “it all begins with the seed,” highlighting the importance of preserving genetic diversity, revitalizing traditional seed-saving practices, and empowering smallholder farmers.

As per the release, Bailey further stressed that strengthening local seed systems is essential for national resilience, asserting that “a resilient seed system is not just about agriculture; it is about sovereignty, stability, and survival.”

The Mobile Seed Bank simulation is complemented by training sessions on seed management, nursery practices, and climate-smart agricultural techniques. It also involves consultations with the Ministries of Agriculture to establish protocols for cross-border seed movement within the framework of the regional quality seed system being developed.