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Preserving Seeds of Edible Plants

April 29, 2021

Very few species of crop are planted around the world. Many potentially useful varieties of many plants are being lost. Seedbanks are key to preserving those that are left.

https://p.dw.com/p/3sk4O
GLOD Saatgut
Image: DW
GLOD Saatgut
Image: DW

Saving Seeds

It's risky to rely on a few varieties of a few crops. If climate change or disease were to wipe any out, we would be in a big mess. Seed banks preserve as many strains of crop plants as they can. Some old strains are more resilient than current ones.

 

GLOD Ecuador Samen Quito
Image: DW

Ecuador: Seeds of change

Most farmers in Ecuador use just a few kinds of commercially produced seeds from abroad. Traditional and indigenous varieties are out of favor. But 'Seed Guardians' are seeking to preserve them and encourage farmers to use them.

 

GLOD USA Texas Windräder
Image: NDR

The winds of change in Texas

Last year the wind energy industry installed more new capacity than ever before. China and the United States led the field. Even in Texan oil country, wind turbines are going up in large numbers. Jobs in oil are set to decline; jobs in the wind, to soar.

 

GLOD Uganda Wasserfilter
Image: DW

Uganda: Water filter innovation

Access to clean water may be a right, but it's often hard to come by. Contaminated water kills. Henry Othieno and Saudah Birungi have developed eco-friendly filters for use in schools and homes. They turn dirty lake water into drinking water.

 

 

 

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