Climatic conditions in Meghalaya permit a large variety of agricultural and horticultural crops but due to changing land use patterns and the introduction of high-yielding varieties, the local indigenous germplasm of various crop species are slowly disappearing. Therefore, the seed saving unit is an attempt made to collect the diversity of indigenous, local and heirloom seed crops of Meghalaya. The local/heirloom seeds promote genetic diversity, and the crops tend to be colorful, diverse, well suited to organic and sustainable agriculture and  hence seed saving also aims at meeting this fundamental requirement in providing the farming communities with knowledge in seed saving techniques, thus making them self sufficient.

Seed Saving Unit at BRDC Experimental Farm, Laitmynsaw

The seed saving unit at BRDC experimental farm, Laitmynsaw Upper Shillong was initiated on 2020 with assistance from Annadana soil and seed savers, networks, Bengaluru Karnataka.50 different varieties of open pollinated seed crops has been propagated and saved.

Seed Saving Unit at Cham Cham Village, East Jaintia Hills District

The seed Seed Saving unit at Cham Cham Village, East Jaintia Hills was initiated by BRDC in collaboration with the Village Organisation (VOs) and Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) in 2021. Seven prioritized seed crops has been propagated and saved based on the agro-climatic zone