An Analysis of Social Seed Network and Its Contribution to On-Farm Conservation of Crop Genetic Diversity in Nepal. (24th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poudel, Diwakar; Sthapit, Bhuwon; Shrestha, Pratap
• Other Names: Sebbenn Alexandre Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of biodiversity. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-02-24
• Subjects: Biodiversity -- Periodicals; Biodiversity; Biodiversity; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 578.7
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/312621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-4149

Abstract

Abstract : Social seed systems are important for the maintenance of crop genetic diversity on farm. This is governed by local and informal system in the community through a farmers' network. This paper analyses these local seed systems through application of social network analysis tools and mappings and examines the network member and its stability over space and time in a small rice farming community in Nepal. NetDraw software is used for data analysis and network mapping. We found that the dynamic network structure had key role in provisioning of traditional varieties and maintaining of crop genetic diversity on farm. We identify and ascertain the key network members, constituted either as nodal or bridging (connector) farmers, occupying central position in the network who promote seed flow of local crop diversity, thus strengthening crop genetic resource diversity on farm.