Description
The project addresses the need to conserve inherited seeds of traditional vegetable varieties and local crops. The project aims at conserving the seeds by raising the awareness of the stakeholders. First, the status of production and genetic conservation of inherited traditional vegetable seeds will be analyzed in the areas of Shabla, Godech and Chiprovtsi. The need to support seed propagation and vegetative plant propagation from old local varieties will be also analyzed. Third, an Almanac of Old Vegetables and a Guide to conserve, breed, use and promote inherited seeds will be published. Fourth, a network of the stakeholders will be set up. Next, a 3-day training in old seed conservation will be held for 10 participants. Finally, 3 demo tests to stimulate growing traditional local seeds will be carried out. The project will benefit the local community, farmers, NGOs and the business. The partner will transfer knowledge and organize the training.
Summary of project results
The project looked for ways to solve the issue about the preservation of the old, local, traditional varieties of Bulgarian vegetables and their seeds as a factor for plant diversity conservation. The project found a solution about how to interact with the institutions and ensure the consumers access to Bulgarian seeds. The following organizations were involved in a dialogue and looking for solutions: the Institute for Plant Genetic resources in Sadovo, the Vegetable Crops Research Institute in Plovdiv, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Executive Agency for Variety Testing, Field Inspection and Seed Control, etc. Training was organized for the focus groups related to the preservation of old seeds as an important genetic resource and a guardian of the conservation of biodiversity, agricultural and cultural diversity. A network of “seed guardians” was created, 3 field tests and public campaigns were carried out. Successful Nordic practices that could trigger the development of good Bulgarian practices were studied and discussed in detail with the target groups and a study tour in Norway was organized for the team experts. A civic association was set up and started working on a project called The Gardens of Strandja Mountain. The impact of the project can be “measured” based on the effect the project had, namely the creation and uniting of a community of various “actors” in terms of functions and responsibilities, representatives of the target groups of the project, state institutions, farmers/gardeners/amateurs, farmers’ organizations and associations, the academy, a broader range of civil society organizations such as Biodiversity Foundation, individuals, etc. The sustainable change can be observed in the preparation of a follow-up international project taking into account the needs identified during the implementation of this one. The outcome of the partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (Norway) has been manifold as it enabled the beneficiary to build capacity and acquire expertise that makes it a leading CSO in this area in Bulgaria. Number of joint activities were performed: training sessions of the target groups, a study visit to the Nordic countries. The partnership was extended with a new approved joint project. The partnership also led to contacts between the Bulgarian network and the Norwegian “Heritage Seeds Savers” for exchange of experience and seeds.
Summary of bilateral results
The main achievement from the partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (Norway) is the shared knowledge and lessons learnt on the topic of organic farming and organic production of seeds; production and multiplication of heritage seeds for the use of farmers, gardeners and hobby growers. The visit and the introduction to some of the successful practices/models in Norway helped for understanding their mechanism and lead to the establishment of promising contacts with agreement for future cooperation and discussions on specific joint themes. The follow-up project and the project proposal elaborated by the project promoter for several countries in the region (Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Cyprus) are a proof for strengthened bilateral relations. Furthermore the partnership generated innovation ideas for individual farmers, their branch organisations (of potato producers and pepper producers) and the government organisations – Ministry of Agriculture, IASAS.