Muriale village, Bal’ad District, October-November 2024
ACCESS and Nuros9 supported women farmers from Bal’ad town and surrounding villages to establish the foundations of a community seed bank that protects local varieties and improves access to planting material.
The initiative brought together women from Hareri-Adle, Samad, Marerey, Muriale villages and Bal’ad town. Community meetings introduced the purpose of seed banking and built a shared understanding of women’s roles in selecting, preserving and managing seed resources. Information sessions covered seed selection, safe storage and sustainable farming practices.
By placing women at the centre of seed leadership, the activity connected household food security with local biodiversity and livelihood resilience. The approach encourages farmers to preserve locally adapted varieties, share knowledge and reduce dependence on unreliable seed supply channels.
The women-led seed bank offers a practical foundation for stronger local food systems and continued cooperation among farming communities in Bal’ad.