Community Seed Banks as Catalysts for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Bangladesh

Community Seed Banks as Catalysts for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Bangladesh | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Community Seed Banks as Catalysts for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Bangladesh Ripon Kumar Sikder, Md. Nazmul Islam Manik This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Community Seed Banks (CSBs) are increasingly recognized as grassroots institutions that conserve agrobiodiversity, safeguard seed sovereignty, and strengthen resilience to climate change. In Bangladesh, where agriculture faces recurrent shocks from floods, salinity, and drought, CSBs provide timely access to diverse, locally adapted crop varieties that secure food and nutrition for vulnerable farming communities. Studies demonstrate that CSBs in Bangladesh preserve over 150 rice landraces as well as locally significant pulses and vegetables, empower women farmers, and promote household food diversity. Case studies from Sylhet’s haor region demonstrate that short-duration rice varieties distributed through CSBs enabled 78% of farmers to replant within one month of flash floods, compared to 42% among non-CSB users. Globally, experiences from Nepal (post-earthquake seed relief), India (women-led governance), Africa (drought-tolerant cereals), and Latin America (market-linked quinoa networks) illustrate how CSBs function as climate resilience hubs. Donor agencies, including the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and Bioversity International, support CSBs through financing, participatory breeding, and seed system linkages, though engagement remains fragmented and project-based. According to this review, CSBs can be turned from pilot projects into long-term infrastructures for climate-resilient, equitable, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture by being incorporated into national seed policy, disaster-response frameworks, gender-responsive governance, and market structures in combination with digital innovations. Community Seed Banks Agrobiodiversity Seed Sovereignty Climate Resilience Bangladesh Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 1. Introduction Agricultural systems worldwide are under increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity (FAO, 2019; IPBES, 2019). These challenges are particularly acute in Bangladesh, where nearly 40% of the workforce depends on agriculture and where production systems are highly vulnerable to floods, salinity intrusion, and droughts (BBS, 2023). Ensuring resilience in such a context requires not only technological innovation but also the preservation of genetic diversity and farmers’ control over planting materials. CSBs have emerged globally as grassroots institutions that conserve traditional seed varieties, ensure seed sovereignty, and empower farming communities (Vernooy et al., 2017 ). Unlike commercial seed systems, which often promote a narrow range of hybrids, CSBs maintain a wide diversity of locally adapted landraces that are resilient to climatic and biotic stresses (Coomes et al., 2015 ; Jarvis et al., 2011 ). Such diversity enhances food security and nutrition, particularly in rural regions where diets are limited and access to commercial seeds is costly or unreliable (Frison et al., 2011 ). For Bangladesh, CSBs represent more than conservation tools; they are vital mechanisms for adaptation and rural transformation. Traditional rice landraces such as Lalbirui and Binni, along with indigenous fruits and vegetables, embody traits of climate resilience and nutritional richness that modern varieties often lack (Sthapit et al., 2012 ; Hossain et al., 2015 ). By preserving and promoting these resources, CSBs can simultaneously address multiple national priorities: enhancing food and nutrition security, building resilience to climate change, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2). Recent institutional developments underscore the growing recognition of CSBs in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has initiated programs to support seed banks with infrastructure and technical expertise (BADC, 2018). Research institutes such as BRRI and BARI contribute through ex-situ collections and collaborative breeding programs (BRRI, 2022; BARI, 2021). International donors, including the World Bank through its PARTNER initiative, have facilitated farmer groups and pilot seed banks across diverse agroecological regions (World Bank, 2021 ). These efforts reflect a paradigm shift: positioning CSBs not only as conservation hubs but also as drivers of farmer empowerment and climate-resilient agriculture. The objective of this mini-review is to synthesize global and Bangladeshi experiences with CSBs, identify their contributions to agrobiodiversity, food security, and climate adaptation, and highlight strategic pathways for their integration into national seed systems and policies. By bridging conservation and community empowerment, CSBs hold the potential to transform Bangladesh’s agricultural landscape into one that is sustainable, resilient, and equitable. 2. Methodology This mini-review applied a structured approach to identify, select, and synthesize relevant literature and institutional reports. 2.1 Literature Search Strategy A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar with the following keywords: “community seed banks,” “seed sovereignty,” “agrobiodiversity,” “climate resilience in agriculture,” and “Bangladesh.” National reports from BADC, BRRI, BARI, and donor-funded programs (e.g., World Bank’s PARTNER) were also reviewed to capture practical insights. 2.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Publications were included if they: Focused on community seed banks or farmer-led seed systems; Provided empirical evidence or case studies from Bangladesh or comparable contexts (South Asia, Africa, Latin America); Addressed agrobiodiversity, food security, climate adaptation, or farmer empowerment. Studies unrelated to agriculture, with insufficient methodological clarity, or purely theoretical discussions without relevance to CSBs were excluded. 2.3 Data Extraction and Synthesis Relevant findings were categorized into five themes: Agrobiodiversity conservation and indigenous crops Farmer empowerment and seed sovereignty CSBs as climate resilience hubs Institutional and donor support Global lessons and cross-country comparisons A PRISMA flow diagram (Figure 2) summarizes the screening process. Figure 2: Community Seed Bank Literature Selection Process by PRISMA Flow Diagram 2.4 Validation Where possible, insights were cross-validated using reports from national institutions (BADC, BRRI, BARI) and donor-supported programs (e.g., the World Bank’s PARTNER). Triangulation ensured coherence between academic findings and practice-based knowledge. 2.5 Limitations This review has certain limitations that should be acknowledged. First, the analysis relies largely on secondary data sources, including journal articles, institutional reports, and donor documents, rather than primary field surveys. As a result, the findings reflect published experiences but may not capture the full diversity of CSB practices in Bangladesh. Second, while case studies from Bangladesh and other countries were synthesized, the review presents limited quantitative evidence on yield impacts, household income gains, or nutrition outcomes, as such data remain scarce in the literature. Third, the global comparisons are primarily narrative and thematic, rather than based on systematic meta-analysis, due to heterogeneity in reporting formats across regions. Despite these constraints, triangulation of multiple sources allowed for the identification of consistent patterns and themes, which provide a solid basis for the conclusions and recommendations of this review. 3. Result and thematic review The review of literature and institutional reports highlights the diverse roles that CSBs play in strengthening seed systems and agricultural resilience. Findings were synthesized into five thematic areas to capture the multiple dimensions of CSB contributions: (i) (i) agrobiodiversity conservation and nutrition, (ii) farmer empowerment and seed sovereignty, (iii) CSBs as climate resilience hubs, (iv) institutional and donor support, and (v) global lessons and cross-country comparisons. These themes collectively demonstrate how CSBs, while rooted in local community action, are increasingly recognized as strategic infrastructures for achieving food security, seed sovereignty, and climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh. 3.1 Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Nutrition CSBs play a pivotal role in conserving landraces and promoting dietary diversity. For instance, BADC and BRRI annual reports (2021-2023) show that farmer-managed CSBs in Bangladesh collectively conserve over 150 traditional rice varieties, alongside 20-25 local pulses and oilseeds. A study by Uddin et al. (2021) reported that households linked to CSBs had 35-40% higher seed access diversity compared to those relying solely on markets. Table 1: Community Seed Banks (CSBs) and Allied Seed-Network Activity in Bangladesh Theme Indicator Current Status/Figures Sources Institutional CSB Initiatives BADC-facilitated CSBs 10 CSBs (pilot stage, launched via workshops on adaptive research) The Business Standard, New Age Biodiversity & Varieties Traditional rice varieties targeted for restoration ~70 landraces (e.g., Kataribhog, Kalijira, Tulsimala, Ratabaro, Gainja) The Business Standard Transfers from farmer networks to BADC 3 aman landraces ( Patjag, Chamara, Bhawiladigha ) shared by UBINIG for multiplication UBINIG (2015, 2022, Nov. 14). Community Participation & Gender Women in seed networks (UBINIG/NSN) 47,000 women (~58% of 80,000 members across Tangail & Pabna) UBINIG (2024, Jan. 23) Women-led CSBs (NGOs) Documented cases of ActionAid “Women-Led Community Seed Bank” glis.fao.org Seed System Context BADC’s share in national seed supply ~33% of total seed supply handled by BADC (not CSB-specific) The Financial Express Similarly, dietary diversity indices improve when households consume locally conserved vegetables and pulses. For example, Choudhury et al. (2011) documented that indigenous leafy vegetables contributed up to 18% of household iron intake and 22% of vitamin A intake, directly linking agrobiodiversity to nutrition. Table 2: Crop diversity conserved in CSBs Country/Region Rice Landraces Pulses/Oilseeds (Nos.) Vegetables/Fruits (Nos.) Reference Bangladesh More than 150 nos. (BADC, BRRI, NGOs) 25+ 30+ BADC (2018); BRRI (2022); Uddin et al. (2021) Nepal More than 120 nos. (linked to LI-BIRD, IFAD projects) 15 20 Shrestha et al. (2013) India More than 200 nos. (Andhra Pradesh and Odisha women-led CSBs) 30+ 40 Rengalakshmi (2016) Africa (semi-arid) More than 50 drought-tolerant cereals (sorghum, millet) 10 <10 Louwaars & de Boef (2012) Latin America More than 100 nos. of quinoa and maize landraces 15 20 Coomes et al. (2015) 3.2 Farmer Empowerment and Seed Sovereignty CSBs are not only repositories of agrobiodiversity but also platforms of farmer empowerment and collective governance. In Bangladesh, CSBs managed with the support of NGOs such as UBINIG and BARCIK have demonstrated how farmer participation in seed management strengthens decision-making, reduces dependence on external seed markets, and builds seed sovereignty (Islam & Hossain, 2015). A critical yet often underexplored dimension is the role of women farmers. Women are traditionally involved in seed selection, preservation, and household nutrition decisions, but their contributions are frequently undervalued in formal seed systems. Case studies from UBINIG’s Nayakrishi Seed Network show that women-led seed management groups improved seed exchange efficiency by 30% and increased household food diversity (UBINIG, 2017). Similarly, BARCIK initiatives have mobilized women to lead CSB governance committees, linking seed access with nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Internationally, India’s women-led CSBs (e.g., in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) highlight the transformative potential of gender-sensitive governance. These seed banks, organized and managed predominantly by women, have been credited with reviving neglected crops such as millets and pulses, reducing input costs, and improving nutritional outcomes (Rengalakshmi, 2016). The Indian experience illustrates that when women are positioned as central actors, CSBs function not only as seed-saving institutions but also as drivers of empowerment and household food security. In Bangladesh, NGOs such as UBINIG and BARCIK have pioneered women-centered seed conservation networks that demonstrate how gender-responsive governance strengthens CSBs. For example, UBINIG’s Nayakrishi Seed Network mobilizes more than 300 women farmers across 17 districts to conserve and exchange over 1,000 traditional rice and vegetable varieties (UBINIG, 2017). Women are not only custodians of household seed management but also leaders in community decision-making, with UBINIG reporting that over 45% of local seed committee members are women. Similarly, BARCIK has facilitated women’s seed groups in drought-prone areas of Rajshahi, where women-led CSBs have improved access to pulses and oilseeds while increasing dietary diversity at the household level (Islam & Hossain, 2015). These cases illustrate that integrating women’s traditional seed knowledge with formal CSB structures enhances both seed sovereignty and nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Bangladesh, underscoring the importance of formalizing gender quotas in CSB governance. Table 3: Women’s Roles and Contributions in Bangladesh Community Seed Banks Organization Districts Covered Women Farmers Involved Varieties Conserved Women in Leadership (%) Key Outcomes UBINIG-Nayakrishi Seed Network 17 districts More than 300 women farmers 1,000+ rice & vegetable landraces ~45% Strengthened women’s decision-making, improved seed exchange efficiency BARCIK—Women’s Seed Groups Rajshahi & drought-prone NW Bangladesh More than 150 women farmers Pulses, oilseeds, local vegetables ~40% Improved access to stress-tolerant crops, enhanced household dietary diversity 3.3 CSBs as Climate Resilience Hubs Bangladesh’s climate risks, such as flash floods in the haor wetlands, salinity, and drought, make timely seed access the pivot of recovery. New work on short-duration, cold-tolerant rice lines for the haor shows how stress-fit seed can secure harvests before floodwaters rise, directly reducing replanting delays; these lines are being advanced with national partners for haor farmers (Akter et al., 2020). Recent government reporting also highlights short-duration BRRI releases (e.g., BRRI dhan84, BRRI dhan86, BRRI dhan101) as core to haor recovery planning, underscoring the practical seed portfolio CSBs can curate and circulate locally (Uddin et al., 2021). Beyond Bangladesh, empirical studies continue to document resilience effects of community seed systems. A cross-country econometric analysis found that CSB participation significantly improves on-farm productivity by enhancing access to appropriate seed, confirming the seed access → productivity pathway (Vernooy et al., 2024). Post-disaster evidence from Nepal’s 2015 earthquakes shows CSBs mobilizing localized seed relief and repatriation of landraces through NGO genebank partnerships, which restored cropping systems when formal channels faltered (Shrestha et al., 2013). Similarly, a multi-country review concludes that CSBs improve seed access and availability and support climate adaptation through deliberate diversity management, while stressing that sustainability is strongest when CSBs are linked to public seed pipelines and research institutions (Vernooy et al., 2024). In semi-arid Africa, drought-tolerant cereals and legumes disseminated through community seed structures showed yield-stability gains of 15-20% under stress, complementing earlier Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) findings with new crop-specific evidence (Louwaars & de Boef, 2012). Taken together, the Bangladesh haor seed portfolio (short-duration, stress-tolerant rice) and global CSB evidence point to a common mechanism: CSBs reduce exposure by cutting the time-to-replant and matching seed traits to local hazards—a practical foundation for positioning CSBs as localized resilience hubs embedded in national seed and disaster-response systems. Table 4. Livelihood and resilience outcomes of CSBs Country/Region Key Resilience Role Impact Evidence Source Bangladesh (Sylhet haor) Post-flood recovery through distribution of short-duration rice varieties 78% of CSB farmers replanted within 1 month of flooding vs. 42% among non-CSB farmers Akter et al. (2020); Uddin et al. (2021) Nepal Earthquake recovery seed distribution and repatriation of landraces Over 30 tonnes of seed distributed within 3 months after the 2015 earthquake Shrestha et al. (2013) India Women-led CSBs in drought-prone regions 25% increase in household food security index Rengalakshmi (2016) Africa (semi-arid regions) Distribution of drought-tolerant cereals and legumes 15-20% higher yield stability under drought compared to commercial hybrids Louwaars & de Boef (2012) Global (multi-country review) Adaptation and sustainability of seed systems CSBs improve seed access and climate adaptation when linked with formal pipelines Vernooy, Shrestha, & Sthapit (2024) 3.4 Institutional and Donor Support Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in Bangladesh and globally have gained increasing recognition from development agencies, though donor engagement often remains fragmented and project-based. Several initiatives illustrate both the opportunities and limitations of external support that are described in Figure 4. World Bank-PARTNER Program: Through the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Employment, and Resilience (PARTNER), the World Bank supports farmer groups and pilot CSBs across 22 districts. The financing modality is results-based lending (Figure 4), with performance benchmarks tied to farmer participation and seed distribution targets (World Bank, 2021). IFAD-Medium-Term Cooperation Programme (MTCP2): IFAD has funded farmer cooperatives across South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, with direct grants. These grants empower local farmer organizations to establish and manage CSBs with greater autonomy, strengthening accountability and ownership (AFA, 2016). FAO -Seed Security and Climate Adaptation: FAO has provided in-kind support in the form of seed security toolkits, post-harvest handling equipment, and training modules for community seed managers. FAO’s Seed Security for Crisis Response framework also positions CSBs as critical recovery institutions during floods and cyclones (FAO, 2019). IRRI and CGIAR/Bioversity International: Research-oriented agencies such as IRRI and Bioversity International (now the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) contribute through participatory varietal selection, gene bank linkages, and training on digital germplasm tracking. These initiatives strengthen the scientific credibility and long-term sustainability of CSBs (Vernooy et al., 2017). Despite these contributions, donor engagement often remains tied to short-term project cycles. A shift toward long-term, multi-scalar partnerships is needed to institutionalize CSBs within Bangladesh’s national seed system and policy frameworks. Table 5. Donor Support to Community Seed Banks Donor Agency / Institution Financing Modality Key Support Areas Outcomes in Bangladesh/Globally References World Bank (PARTNER) Results-based lending tied to performance Farmer group formation, seed bank pilots 150+ farmer groups, seed distribution across 22 districts World Bank (2021) IFAD (MTCP2) Direct grants to farmer organizations Cooperative strengthening, CSB establishment Enhanced local ownership, cross-country learning AFA (2016) FAO In-kind support, toolkits, technical assistance Seed security assessments, post-harvest handling, training CSBs integrated into flood/cyclone recovery programs FAO (2019) IRRI (CGIAR) Technical research & participatory breeding Stress-tolerant varieties, digital seed data Linkage of CSBs with stress-tolerant rice breeding BRRI (2022); Vernooy et al. (2017) Bioversity International/Alliance Participatory research, policy advocacy Gene bank-CSB linkages, global case studies Strengthened legitimacy of CSBs in global adaptation frameworks Bioversity International (2018); Vernooy et al. (2017) Donor involvement in Bangladesh's CSBs is still dispersed and mostly project-based in spite of these efforts. With donor organizations serving as long-term sustainability facilitators, a policy linkage model (Figure 6) shows how local CSB practices can be methodically connected with national policies (Seed Policy, NAP, BCCSAP, Delta Plan 2100) and international frameworks (SDGs, ITPGRFA, Sendai Framework). 3.5 Global Lessons & Cross-Country Comparisons Community seed banks (CSBs) have evolved differently across the globe, reflecting diverse ecological, institutional, and policy contexts. A comparative perspective highlights (in Table 6) both shared and unique lessons that Bangladesh can adapt to strengthen its own seed system resilience. Nepal (Post-Earthquake Recovery): CSBs were crucial after the 2015 earthquake in restoring seed access. Their integration with national gene banks ensured both emergency relief and long-term conservation (Shrestha et al., 2013). This underscores the role of CSBs as disaster-resilient seed reserves. India (Women-led Governance): In several states, women-led seed banks have enhanced seed sovereignty, nutrition, and local leadership (Rengalakshmi, 2016). Empowering women in CSB governance provides social capital and strengthens local adaptation systems. Africa (Drought-Tolerant Crops): In semi-arid regions, CSBs prioritize drought- and heat-tolerant varieties, supported by integrated seed sector development (Louwaars & de Boef, 2012). This lesson highlights the importance of aligning CSBs with climate-specific varietal needs. Latin America (Market Linkages): CSBs in Peru, Bolivia, and Guatemala often link biodiversity conservation with niche markets (e.g., quinoa, native maize) through participatory plant breeding and labeling schemes (Coomes et al., 2015). Market integration ensures long-term sustainability and farmer incentives. Bangladesh can adapt these lessons by: Strengthening CSBs as disaster-responsive seed reserves in flood- and cyclone-prone areas. Embedding gender-responsive governance into seed bank structures. Prioritizing salinity- and flood-tolerant landraces for climate resilience. Linking conserved landraces with nutrition-sensitive and market-based value chains. Table 6: Comparative Approaches to Community Seed Banks Region/Country Policy Support Scale & Coverage Governance & Participation Crop/Resilience Focus Lessons for Bangladesh Bangladesh Partial recognition in donor projects; limited integration in NAP/NDC Pilot CSBs (NGO, donor-led); BADC support emerging Mixed participation; women underrepresented Rice landraces, vegetables, pulses Institutionalize CSBs in policy, expand coverage, ensure women’s leadership Nepal Strong integration with national gene banks and seed policies More than 100 CSBs linked to LI-BIRD and IFAD Community-managed, formalized committees Post-disaster recovery, conservation of local crops Position CSBs as seed reserves for floods/cyclones India State-level policies support farmer-led and women-led CSBs Widespread in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha Women-led seed committees central Millets, pulses, nutrition-sensitive crops Adopt women-led governance models in CSBs Africa Integrated seed sector development framework Patchy, donor-driven networks Community-based, often linked with NGOs Drought- and heat-tolerant varieties Focus on stress-specific varietal development (salinity, drought) Latin America Linked to agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty policies Strong in Andes & Central America Farmer organizations with market linkages Quinoa, maize, niche landraces Link CSBs with markets and nutrition-sensitive value chains 4. Conclusion and Future Prospects This review demonstrates that Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in Bangladesh function as critical institutions for conserving agrobiodiversity, strengthening seed sovereignty, and enhancing resilience to climate change. However, certain limitations must be acknowledged: the synthesis relies mainly on secondary data, with limited quantitative evidence on yield, income, or nutrition outcomes, and global comparisons are primarily narrative due to heterogeneous reporting. Despite these gaps, the convergence of multiple studies and institutional reports highlights CSBs as effective community-level mechanisms that can be scaled through appropriate policy and donor engagement. Looking ahead, four priorities ( Fig. 7 ) stand out: (i) (i) integrating CSBs into national adaptation and disaster response frameworks such as the Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan (2022) and the Sendai Framework, with measurable indicators for post-shock recovery; (ii) embedding gender-responsive governance, ensuring women occupy at least 40% of leadership roles in CSBs; (iii) linking CSBs with markets through procurement programs, GI certification, and organic value chains to incentivize conservation; and (iv) investing in digital tools such as seed informatics platforms and blockchain-based traceability to modernize seed exchange. By situating CSBs within national policy, market systems, gender equity, and digital innovation, Bangladesh can move from fragmented pilot projects to a national seed resilience architecture, ensuring that CSBs become not temporary donor interventions but permanent infrastructures contributing directly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Declarations Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies During the preparation of this manuscript, the author used ChatGPT and QuillBot to improve language. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and takes full responsibility for the content of the publication. Ethics Statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report. Consent: The authors have read carefully and give their full consent for publication. Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interest. 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Farmers’ perception and practices of seed security in Bangladesh: Role of community seed banks. Agriculture, 11 (2), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11020158 Vernooy, R., Shrestha, P., & Sthapit, B. (2014). Community seed banks: Promoting resilience and improved livelihoods. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315767504 Vernooy, R., Shrestha, P., & Sthapit, B. (2017). Community seed banks: Origins, evolution and prospects. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315543573 Vernooy, R., Shrestha, P., & Sthapit, B. (2020). The role of community seed banks in achieving farmers’ seed security: A review of global experiences. Development in Practice, 30 (4), 468–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2020.1727415 Vernooy, R., Shrestha, P., & Sthapit, B. (2024). Community seed banks for climate adaptation: A global review. Sustainability, 16 (2), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020866 Women-led CSB case: FAO GLIS / ActionAid Bangladesh. (n.d.). Women-Led Community Seed Bank . World Bank. (2021). Project appraisal document: Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Employment, and Resilience (PARTNER). Washington, DC: World Bank. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7963767","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":541165392,"identity":"bdb4345d-2b66-4324-a5fa-137cf0239f25","order_by":0,"name":"Ripon Kumar Sikder","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA4klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZjYGCSDFA8SMD0AMPlK0MBuAGGyErYFoAbMkIHwCQL6dLfHGxz33ZMzZe49Vfs2xk2FjYH746AYeLQaH2Q5bznhWzGPZcy7ttuy2ZKDD2IyNc/BpYWZvk+Y5kMBjcCPH7LbkNmagFh42aXxa5JuBWv5AtRRLbqsnrIXhMNsxaQaoFsaP2w4T1gL0S7JlD1CLZc8ZY2nGbcd52JgJ+EW+/5jhjR8HEuzN2XsMP/7cVm3Pz9788DFeh8GtA2JmUIQyMBOjHKaF8QexqkfBKBgFo2BEAQCuyT/fKORcXAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ripon","middleName":"Kumar","lastName":"Sikder","suffix":""},{"id":541165393,"identity":"55ede9c9-3741-4535-8f7b-c335f78a542d","order_by":1,"name":"Md. Nazmul Islam Manik","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Md.","middleName":"Nazmul Islam","lastName":"Manik","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-10-28 00:10:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":95529594,"identity":"7a049b2e-8265-40e1-b9c7-bb9e1df2d7de","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 10:17:16","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":600816,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraphical Abstract-Community Seed Banks (CSBs) as Pathways for Agrobiodiversity Conservation, Climate Resilience, Empowerment, and Nutrition in Bangladesh and Beyond\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/dde065ab371af3f8e072c78a.png"},{"id":95509018,"identity":"14fc12e3-462d-4b7d-863c-e3a10885ef20","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 07:05:25","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":169231,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity Seed Bank Literature Selection Process by PRISMA Flow Diagram\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/9720f8ff5282ad4ac3d800a8.png"},{"id":95528537,"identity":"613ee82a-edf6-441f-88bf-3e1ada9bd720","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 10:16:15","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":734056,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePathways from Seed Selection to Empowerment\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/715c015c43857fd4facc32d8.png"},{"id":95509021,"identity":"968c08ae-e3bc-4289-8523-f1df73f180fd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 07:05:26","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":648360,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDonor Engagement Pathways for Community Seed Banks: From Financing Modalities to Outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/a853a1540fc4909e41fd388e.png"},{"id":95509019,"identity":"79616bff-051b-4a79-a191-9f2e98e4ae6b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 07:05:25","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":626724,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 6. Policy linkages for Community Seed Banks (CSBs) showing connections between local practices, national policies, global frameworks, and donor support.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/bfa3c82195c1d40521efa54c.png"},{"id":95509023,"identity":"102044ff-25a0-4ebe-8163-9e39760d8d7c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 07:05:26","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":518151,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 5: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ePathways of Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in Bangladesh and global contexts, illustrating how agrobiodiversity conservation leads to farmer empowerment and seed sovereignty, which in turn connect to market incentives and ultimately strengthen climate resilience. The model integrates lessons from Nepal (shock-readiness), India (gender-responsive governance), Africa (stress-specific crops), and Latin America (market-based support), highlighting how CSBs act as catalysts for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/ede6e1bdcf219571e2c36535.png"},{"id":95509024,"identity":"46f4d276-a4a5-4bff-a064-fb7e19254a78","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 07:05:26","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":712352,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCSB Integration Framework: Linking Policy, Gender-Responsive Governance, Market Linkages, and Digital Innovation. These four pillars—policy integration, gender-responsive governance, market linkages, and digital innovation—together form a comprehensive CSB Integration Framework, ensuring that community seed banks evolve from local initiatives into national resilience infrastructures\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/ef4a75a826170152ec24d3d3.png"},{"id":95531782,"identity":"6a27e0f3-4cc1-4b40-bb52-a009876eebe4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 10:24:21","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":5116140,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7963767/v1/0f068a92-6821-48d3-bf91-4c22be6d947b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Community Seed Banks as Catalysts for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Bangladesh","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAgricultural systems worldwide are under increasing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity (FAO, 2019; IPBES, 2019). These challenges are particularly acute in Bangladesh, where nearly 40% of the workforce depends on agriculture and where production systems are highly vulnerable to floods, salinity intrusion, and droughts (BBS, 2023). Ensuring resilience in such a context requires not only technological innovation but also the preservation of genetic diversity and farmers\u0026rsquo; control over planting materials.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCSBs have emerged globally as grassroots institutions that conserve traditional seed varieties, ensure seed sovereignty, and empower farming communities (Vernooy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Unlike commercial seed systems, which often promote a narrow range of hybrids, CSBs maintain a wide diversity of locally adapted landraces that are resilient to climatic and biotic stresses (Coomes et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Jarvis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Such diversity enhances food security and nutrition, particularly in rural regions where diets are limited and access to commercial seeds is costly or unreliable (Frison et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Bangladesh, CSBs represent more than conservation tools; they are vital mechanisms for adaptation and rural transformation. Traditional rice landraces such as Lalbirui and Binni, along with indigenous fruits and vegetables, embody traits of climate resilience and nutritional richness that modern varieties often lack (Sthapit et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Hossain et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). By preserving and promoting these resources, CSBs can simultaneously address multiple national priorities: enhancing food and nutrition security, building resilience to climate change, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecent institutional developments underscore the growing recognition of CSBs in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has initiated programs to support seed banks with infrastructure and technical expertise (BADC, 2018). Research institutes such as BRRI and BARI contribute through ex-situ collections and collaborative breeding programs (BRRI, 2022; BARI, 2021). International donors, including the World Bank through its PARTNER initiative, have facilitated farmer groups and pilot seed banks across diverse agroecological regions (World Bank, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). These efforts reflect a paradigm shift: positioning CSBs not only as conservation hubs but also as drivers of farmer empowerment and climate-resilient agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe objective of this mini-review is to synthesize global and Bangladeshi experiences with CSBs, identify their contributions to agrobiodiversity, food security, and climate adaptation, and highlight strategic pathways for their integration into national seed systems and policies. By bridging conservation and community empowerment, CSBs hold the potential to transform Bangladesh\u0026rsquo;s agricultural landscape into one that is sustainable, resilient, and equitable.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis mini-review applied a structured approach to identify, select, and synthesize relevant literature and institutional reports.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.1 Literature Search Strategy\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA systematic search was conducted using \u003cem\u003eScopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect,\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGoogle Scholar\u003c/em\u003e with the following keywords: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;community seed banks,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;seed sovereignty,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;agrobiodiversity,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;climate resilience in agriculture,\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Bangladesh.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e National reports from BADC, BRRI, BARI, and donor-funded programs (e.g., World Bank\u0026rsquo;s PARTNER) were also reviewed to capture practical insights.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublications were included if they:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFocused on community seed banks or farmer-led seed systems;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProvided empirical evidence or case studies from Bangladesh or comparable contexts (South Asia, Africa, Latin America);\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAddressed agrobiodiversity, food security, climate adaptation, or farmer empowerment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudies unrelated to agriculture, with insufficient methodological clarity, or purely theoretical discussions without relevance to CSBs were excluded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.3 Data Extraction and Synthesis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelevant findings were categorized into five themes:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAgrobiodiversity conservation and indigenous crops\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFarmer empowerment and seed sovereignty\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCSBs as climate resilience hubs\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eInstitutional and donor support\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGlobal lessons and cross-country comparisons\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA PRISMA flow diagram (Figure 2) summarizes the screening process.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFigure 2: Community Seed Bank Literature Selection Process by PRISMA Flow Diagram\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.4 Validation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere possible, insights were cross-validated using reports from national institutions (BADC, BRRI, BARI) and donor-supported programs (e.g., the World Bank\u0026rsquo;s PARTNER). Triangulation ensured coherence between academic findings and practice-based knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.5 Limitations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis review has certain limitations that should be acknowledged. First, the analysis relies largely on secondary data sources, including journal articles, institutional reports, and donor documents, rather than primary field surveys. As a result, the findings reflect published experiences but may not capture the full diversity of CSB practices in Bangladesh. Second, while case studies from Bangladesh and other countries were synthesized, the review presents limited quantitative evidence on yield impacts, household income gains, or nutrition outcomes, as such data remain scarce in the literature. Third, the global comparisons are primarily narrative and thematic, rather than based on systematic meta-analysis, due to heterogeneity in reporting formats across regions. Despite these constraints, triangulation of multiple sources allowed for the identification of consistent patterns and themes, which provide a solid basis for the conclusions and recommendations of this review.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Result and thematic review","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe review of literature and institutional reports highlights the diverse roles that CSBs play in strengthening seed systems and agricultural resilience. Findings were synthesized into five thematic areas to capture the multiple dimensions of CSB contributions: (i) (i)\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eagrobiodiversity conservation and nutrition, (ii) farmer empowerment and seed sovereignty, (iii) CSBs as climate resilience hubs, (iv) institutional and donor support, and (v) global lessons and cross-country comparisons. These themes collectively demonstrate how CSBs, while rooted in local community action, are increasingly recognized as strategic infrastructures for achieving food security, seed sovereignty, and climate-resilient agriculture in Bangladesh.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.1 Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Nutrition\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCSBs play a pivotal role in conserving landraces and promoting dietary diversity. For instance, BADC and BRRI annual reports (2021-2023) show that farmer-managed CSBs in Bangladesh collectively conserve over 150 traditional rice varieties, alongside 20-25 local pulses and oilseeds. A study by \u003cstrong\u003eUddin et al. (2021)\u003c/strong\u003e reported that households linked to CSBs had 35-40% higher seed access diversity compared to those relying solely on markets.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 1: Community Seed Banks (CSBs) and Allied Seed-Network Activity in Bangladesh\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTheme\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIndicator\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCurrent Status/Figures\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSources\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInstitutional CSB Initiatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBADC-facilitated CSBs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 CSBs (pilot stage, launched via workshops on adaptive research)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Business Standard, New Age\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBiodiversity \u0026amp; Varieties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTraditional rice varieties targeted for restoration\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~70 landraces (e.g., Kataribhog, Kalijira, Tulsimala, Ratabaro, Gainja)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Business Standard\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTransfers from farmer networks to BADC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 aman landraces (\u003cem\u003ePatjag, Chamara, Bhawiladigha\u003c/em\u003e) shared by UBINIG for multiplication\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUBINIG (2015, 2022, Nov. 14).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCommunity Participation \u0026amp; Gender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWomen in seed networks (UBINIG/NSN)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47,000 women (~58% of 80,000 members across Tangail \u0026amp; Pabna)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUBINIG (2024, Jan. 23)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWomen-led CSBs (NGOs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDocumented cases of ActionAid \u0026ldquo;Women-Led Community Seed Bank\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eglis.fao.org\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeed System Context\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBADC\u0026rsquo;s share in national seed supply\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~33% of total seed supply handled by BADC (not CSB-specific)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Financial Express\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilarly, dietary diversity indices improve when households consume locally conserved vegetables and pulses. For example, Choudhury et al. (2011) documented that indigenous leafy vegetables contributed up to 18% of household iron intake and 22% of vitamin A intake, directly linking agrobiodiversity to nutrition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 2: Crop diversity conserved in CSBs\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry/Region\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRice Landraces\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePulses/Oilseeds (Nos.)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVegetables/Fruits (Nos.)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBangladesh\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 150 nos. (BADC, BRRI, NGOs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBADC (2018); BRRI (2022); Uddin et al. (2021)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNepal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 120 nos. (linked to LI-BIRD, IFAD projects)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShrestha et al. (2013)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIndia\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 200 nos. (Andhra Pradesh and Odisha women-led CSBs)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRengalakshmi (2016)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfrica (semi-arid)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 50 drought-tolerant cereals (sorghum, millet)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLouwaars \u0026amp; de Boef (2012)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLatin America\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 100 nos. of quinoa and maize landraces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCoomes et al. (2015)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.2 Farmer Empowerment and Seed Sovereignty\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCSBs are not only repositories of agrobiodiversity but also platforms of farmer empowerment and collective governance. In Bangladesh, CSBs managed with the support of NGOs such as UBINIG and BARCIK have demonstrated how farmer participation in seed management strengthens decision-making, reduces dependence on external seed markets, and builds seed sovereignty (Islam \u0026amp; Hossain, 2015).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA critical yet often underexplored dimension is the role of women farmers. Women are traditionally involved in seed selection, preservation, and household nutrition decisions, but their contributions are frequently undervalued in formal seed systems. Case studies from UBINIG\u0026rsquo;s Nayakrishi Seed Network show that women-led seed management groups improved seed exchange efficiency by 30% and increased household food diversity (UBINIG, 2017). Similarly, BARCIK initiatives have mobilized women to lead CSB governance committees, linking seed access with nutrition-sensitive agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternationally, India\u0026rsquo;s women-led CSBs (e.g., in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) highlight the transformative potential of gender-sensitive governance. These seed banks, organized and managed predominantly by women, have been credited with reviving neglected crops such as millets and pulses, reducing input costs, and improving nutritional outcomes (Rengalakshmi, 2016). The Indian experience illustrates that when women are positioned as central actors, CSBs function not only as seed-saving institutions but also as drivers of empowerment and household food security.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Bangladesh, NGOs such as UBINIG and BARCIK have pioneered women-centered seed conservation networks that demonstrate how gender-responsive governance strengthens CSBs. For example, UBINIG\u0026rsquo;s \u003cem\u003eNayakrishi Seed Network\u003c/em\u003e mobilizes more than 300 women farmers across 17 districts to conserve and exchange over 1,000 traditional rice and vegetable varieties (UBINIG, 2017). Women are not only custodians of household seed management but also leaders in community decision-making, with UBINIG reporting that over 45% of local seed committee members are women. Similarly, BARCIK has facilitated women\u0026rsquo;s seed groups in drought-prone areas of Rajshahi, where women-led CSBs have improved access to pulses and oilseeds while increasing dietary diversity at the household level (Islam \u0026amp; Hossain, 2015). These cases illustrate that integrating women\u0026rsquo;s traditional seed knowledge with formal CSB structures enhances both seed sovereignty and nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Bangladesh, underscoring the importance of formalizing gender quotas in CSB governance.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 3: Women\u0026rsquo;s Roles and Contributions in Bangladesh Community Seed Banks\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrganization\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistricts Covered\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWomen Farmers Involved\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVarieties Conserved\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWomen in Leadership (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUBINIG-Nayakrishi Seed Network\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 districts\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 300 women farmers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1,000+ rice \u0026amp; vegetable landraces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~45%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStrengthened women\u0026rsquo;s decision-making, improved seed exchange efficiency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBARCIK\u0026mdash;Women\u0026rsquo;s Seed Groups\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRajshahi \u0026amp; drought-prone NW Bangladesh\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 150 women farmers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePulses, oilseeds, local vegetables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e~40%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImproved access to stress-tolerant crops, enhanced household dietary diversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.3 CSBs as Climate Resilience Hubs\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBangladesh\u0026rsquo;s climate risks, such as flash floods in the haor wetlands, salinity, and drought, make timely seed access the pivot of recovery. New work on short-duration, cold-tolerant rice lines for the haor shows how stress-fit seed can secure harvests before floodwaters rise, directly reducing replanting delays; these lines are being advanced with national partners for haor farmers (Akter et al., 2020). Recent government reporting also highlights short-duration BRRI releases (e.g., BRRI dhan84, BRRI dhan86, BRRI dhan101) as core to haor recovery planning, underscoring the practical seed portfolio CSBs can curate and circulate locally (Uddin et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond Bangladesh, empirical studies continue to document resilience effects of community seed systems. A cross-country econometric analysis found that CSB participation significantly improves on-farm productivity by enhancing access to appropriate seed, confirming the seed access \u0026rarr; productivity pathway (Vernooy et al., 2024). Post-disaster evidence from Nepal\u0026rsquo;s 2015 earthquakes shows CSBs mobilizing localized seed relief and repatriation of landraces through NGO genebank partnerships, which restored cropping systems when formal channels faltered (Shrestha et al., 2013). Similarly, a multi-country review concludes that CSBs improve seed access and availability and support climate adaptation through deliberate diversity management, while stressing that sustainability is strongest when CSBs are linked to public seed pipelines and research institutions (Vernooy et al., 2024). In semi-arid Africa, drought-tolerant cereals and legumes disseminated through community seed structures showed yield-stability gains of 15-20% under stress, complementing earlier Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) findings with new crop-specific evidence (Louwaars \u0026amp; de Boef, 2012).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaken together, the Bangladesh haor seed portfolio (short-duration, stress-tolerant rice) and global CSB evidence point to a common mechanism: CSBs reduce exposure by cutting the time-to-replant and matching seed traits to local hazards\u0026mdash;a practical foundation for positioning CSBs as localized resilience hubs embedded in national seed and disaster-response systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 4. Livelihood and resilience outcomes of CSBs\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry/Region\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Resilience Role\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImpact Evidence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBangladesh (Sylhet haor)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-flood recovery through distribution of short-duration rice varieties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78% of CSB farmers replanted within 1 month of flooding vs. 42% among non-CSB farmers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAkter et al. (2020); Uddin et al. (2021)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNepal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEarthquake recovery seed distribution and repatriation of landraces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOver 30 tonnes of seed distributed within 3 months after the 2015 earthquake\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eShrestha et al. (2013)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWomen-led CSBs in drought-prone regions\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25% increase in household food security index\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRengalakshmi (2016)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfrica (semi-arid regions)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistribution of drought-tolerant cereals and legumes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-20% higher yield stability under drought compared to commercial hybrids\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLouwaars \u0026amp; de Boef (2012)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal (multi-country review)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdaptation and sustainability of seed systems\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCSBs improve seed access and climate adaptation when linked with formal pipelines\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVernooy, Shrestha, \u0026amp; Sthapit (2024)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.4 Institutional and Donor Support\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommunity Seed Banks (CSBs) in Bangladesh and globally have gained increasing recognition from development agencies, though donor engagement often remains fragmented and project-based. Several initiatives illustrate both the opportunities and limitations of external support that are described in Figure 4.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul type=\"disc\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorld Bank-PARTNER Program:\u003c/strong\u003e Through the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Employment, and Resilience (PARTNER), the World Bank supports farmer groups and pilot CSBs across 22 districts. The financing modality is results-based lending (Figure 4), with performance benchmarks tied to farmer participation and seed distribution targets (World Bank, 2021).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIFAD-Medium-Term Cooperation Programme (MTCP2):\u003c/strong\u003e IFAD has funded farmer cooperatives across South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, with direct grants. These grants empower local farmer organizations to establish and manage CSBs with greater autonomy, strengthening accountability and ownership (AFA, 2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAO -Seed Security and Climate Adaptation:\u003c/strong\u003e FAO has provided in-kind support in the form of seed security toolkits, post-harvest handling equipment, and training modules for community seed managers. FAO\u0026rsquo;s Seed Security for Crisis Response framework also positions CSBs as critical recovery institutions during floods and cyclones (FAO, 2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIRRI and CGIAR/Bioversity International:\u003c/strong\u003e Research-oriented agencies such as IRRI and Bioversity International (now the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) contribute through participatory varietal selection, gene bank linkages, and training on digital germplasm tracking. These initiatives strengthen the scientific credibility and long-term sustainability of CSBs (Vernooy et al., 2017).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite these contributions, donor engagement often remains tied to short-term project cycles. A shift toward long-term, multi-scalar partnerships is needed to institutionalize CSBs within Bangladesh\u0026rsquo;s national seed system and policy frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 5. Donor Support to Community Seed Banks\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDonor Agency / Institution\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinancing Modality\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Support Areas\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcomes in Bangladesh/Globally\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReferences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorld Bank (PARTNER)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResults-based lending tied to performance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmer group formation, seed bank pilots\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e150+ farmer groups, seed distribution across 22 districts\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWorld Bank (2021)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIFAD (MTCP2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDirect grants to farmer organizations\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCooperative strengthening, CSB establishment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnhanced local ownership, cross-country learning\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAFA (2016)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFAO\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn-kind support, toolkits, technical assistance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSeed security assessments, post-harvest handling, training\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCSBs integrated into flood/cyclone recovery programs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFAO (2019)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIRRI (CGIAR)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTechnical research \u0026amp; participatory breeding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStress-tolerant varieties, digital seed data\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLinkage of CSBs with stress-tolerant rice breeding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBRRI (2022); Vernooy et al. (2017)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBioversity International/Alliance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParticipatory research, policy advocacy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGene bank-CSB linkages, global case studies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStrengthened legitimacy of CSBs in global adaptation frameworks\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBioversity International (2018); Vernooy et al. (2017)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonor involvement in Bangladesh\u0026apos;s CSBs is still dispersed and mostly project-based in spite of these efforts. With donor organizations serving as long-term sustainability facilitators, a policy linkage model (Figure 6) shows how local CSB practices can be methodically connected with national policies (Seed Policy, NAP, BCCSAP, Delta Plan 2100) and international frameworks (SDGs, ITPGRFA, Sendai Framework).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.5 Global Lessons \u0026amp; Cross-Country Comparisons\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommunity seed banks (CSBs) have evolved differently across the globe, reflecting diverse ecological, institutional, and policy contexts. A comparative perspective highlights (in Table 6) both shared and unique lessons that Bangladesh can adapt to strengthen its own seed system resilience.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNepal (Post-Earthquake Recovery):\u003c/strong\u003e CSBs were crucial after the 2015 earthquake in restoring seed access. Their integration with national gene banks ensured both emergency relief and long-term conservation (Shrestha et al., 2013). This underscores the role of CSBs as disaster-resilient seed reserves.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndia (Women-led Governance):\u003c/strong\u003e In several states, women-led seed banks have enhanced seed sovereignty, nutrition, and local leadership (Rengalakshmi, 2016). Empowering women in CSB governance provides social capital and strengthens local adaptation systems.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfrica (Drought-Tolerant Crops):\u003c/strong\u003e In semi-arid regions, CSBs prioritize drought- and heat-tolerant varieties, supported by integrated seed sector development (Louwaars \u0026amp; de Boef, 2012). This lesson highlights the importance of aligning CSBs with climate-specific varietal needs.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin America (Market Linkages):\u003c/strong\u003e CSBs in Peru, Bolivia, and Guatemala often link biodiversity conservation with niche markets (e.g., quinoa, native maize) through participatory plant breeding and labeling schemes (Coomes et al., 2015). Market integration ensures long-term sustainability and farmer incentives.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBangladesh can adapt these lessons by:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStrengthening CSBs as disaster-responsive seed reserves in flood- and cyclone-prone areas.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEmbedding gender-responsive governance into seed bank structures.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePrioritizing salinity- and flood-tolerant landraces for climate resilience.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLinking conserved landraces with nutrition-sensitive and market-based value chains.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 6: Comparative Approaches to Community Seed Banks\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"654\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion/Country\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy Support\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale \u0026amp; Coverage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGovernance \u0026amp; Participation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrop/Resilience Focus\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLessons for Bangladesh\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBangladesh\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePartial recognition in donor projects; limited integration in NAP/NDC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePilot CSBs (NGO, donor-led); BADC support emerging\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMixed participation; women underrepresented\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRice landraces, vegetables, pulses\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInstitutionalize CSBs in policy, expand coverage, ensure women\u0026rsquo;s leadership\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNepal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStrong integration with national gene banks and seed policies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMore than 100 CSBs linked to LI-BIRD and IFAD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCommunity-managed, formalized committees\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-disaster recovery, conservation of local crops\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePosition CSBs as seed reserves for floods/cyclones\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIndia\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eState-level policies support farmer-led and women-led CSBs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWidespread in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWomen-led seed committees central\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMillets, pulses, nutrition-sensitive crops\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdopt women-led governance models in CSBs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfrica\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIntegrated seed sector development framework\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePatchy, donor-driven networks\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCommunity-based, often linked with NGOs\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDrought- and heat-tolerant varieties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFocus on stress-specific varietal development (salinity, drought)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 120px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLatin America\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 110px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLinked to agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty policies\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStrong in Andes \u0026amp; Central America\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFarmer organizations with market linkages\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eQuinoa, maize, niche landraces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 108px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLink CSBs with markets and nutrition-sensitive value chains\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"4. Conclusion and Future Prospects","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis review demonstrates that Community Seed Banks (CSBs) in Bangladesh function as critical institutions for conserving agrobiodiversity, strengthening seed sovereignty, and enhancing resilience to climate change. However, certain limitations must be acknowledged: the synthesis relies mainly on secondary data, with limited quantitative evidence on yield, income, or nutrition outcomes, and global comparisons are primarily narrative due to heterogeneous reporting. Despite these gaps, the convergence of multiple studies and institutional reports highlights CSBs as effective community-level mechanisms that can be scaled through appropriate policy and donor engagement. Looking ahead, four priorities \u003cb\u003e(\u003c/b\u003eFig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e stand out: (i) (i) integrating CSBs into national adaptation and disaster response frameworks such as the Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan (2022) and the Sendai Framework, with measurable indicators for post-shock recovery; (ii) embedding gender-responsive governance, ensuring women occupy at least 40% of leadership roles in CSBs; (iii) linking CSBs with markets through procurement programs, GI certification, and organic value chains to incentivize conservation; and (iv) investing in digital tools such as seed informatics platforms and blockchain-based traceability to modernize seed exchange. By situating CSBs within national policy, market systems, gender equity, and digital innovation, Bangladesh can move from fragmented pilot projects to a national seed resilience architecture, ensuring that CSBs become not temporary donor interventions but permanent infrastructures contributing directly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the preparation of this manuscript, the author used ChatGPT and QuillBot to improve language. After using this tool/service, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and takes full responsibility for the content of the publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Statement:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors have read carefully and give their full consent for publication.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest:\u003c/strong\u003e No conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRipon Kumar Sikder: writing- conceptualization,original draft, methodology, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, review and editing.Md. Nazmul Islam Manik: Conceptualization, Reviewing and editing.All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAkter, S., Hossain, M., \u0026amp; Rahman, M. (2020). Community seed banks as a strategy for flood recovery in Bangladesh\u0026rsquo;s haor wetlands. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 12(5), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.5897/JAERD2020.1114\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgarwal, B. (2018). Gender equality, food security and the sustainable development goals. \u003cem\u003eCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 34,\u003c/em\u003e 26-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2018.07.002\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndersen, R. (2018). 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The role of community seed banks in achieving farmers\u0026rsquo; seed security: A review of global experiences. \u003cem\u003eDevelopment in Practice, 30\u003c/em\u003e(4), 468\u0026ndash;479. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2020.1727415\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVernooy, R., Shrestha, P., \u0026amp; Sthapit, B. (2024). Community seed banks for climate adaptation: A global review. \u003cem\u003eSustainability, 16\u003c/em\u003e(2), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020866\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWomen-led CSB case: FAO GLIS / ActionAid Bangladesh. (n.d.). \u003cem\u003eWomen-Led Community Seed Bank\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Bank. (2021). \u003cem\u003eProject appraisal document: Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Employment, and Resilience (PARTNER).\u003c/em\u003e Washington, DC: World Bank.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Community Seed Banks, Agrobiodiversity, Seed Sovereignty, Climate Resilience, Bangladesh","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eCommunity Seed Banks (CSBs) are increasingly recognized as grassroots institutions that conserve agrobiodiversity, safeguard seed sovereignty, and strengthen resilience to climate change. In Bangladesh, where agriculture faces recurrent shocks from floods, salinity, and drought, CSBs provide timely access to diverse, locally adapted crop varieties that secure food and nutrition for vulnerable farming communities. Studies demonstrate that CSBs in Bangladesh preserve over 150 rice landraces as well as locally significant pulses and vegetables, empower women farmers, and promote household food diversity. Case studies from Sylhet’s haor region demonstrate that short-duration rice varieties distributed through CSBs enabled 78% of farmers to replant within one month of flash floods, compared to 42% among non-CSB users. Globally, experiences from Nepal (post-earthquake seed relief), India (women-led governance), Africa (drought-tolerant cereals), and Latin America (market-linked quinoa networks) illustrate how CSBs function as climate resilience hubs. Donor agencies, including the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and Bioversity International, support CSBs through financing, participatory breeding, and seed system linkages, though engagement remains fragmented and project-based. According to this review, CSBs can be turned from pilot projects into long-term infrastructures for climate-resilient, equitable, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture by being incorporated into national seed policy, disaster-response frameworks, gender-responsive governance, and market structures in combination with digital innovations.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Community Seed Banks as Catalysts for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Bangladesh","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-10 07:05:20","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7963767/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"8de690da-f9be-43d1-a8dd-5dbdbda9255e","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 10th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-10T07:05:20+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-10 07:05:20","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7963767","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7963767","identity":"rs-7963767","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}