STRENGTHENING LOCAL SEED SYSTEMS THROUGH COMMUNITY SEED BANKS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BARA, DISTRICT KHYBER, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Community Seed Banks (CSBs) have emerged as an important strategy for strengthening local seed systems and promoting sustainable agricultural development in marginalized farming regions. The present study evaluated the role of CSBs in improving seed accessibility, crop productivity, crop diversity, climate resilience and household food security in Bara Tehsil, District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using stratified random sampling. A total of 230 farmers were selected and equally divided into CSB participant farmers (n = 115) and non-CSB farmers (n = 115). Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, farmer interviews and field observations. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis were applied using SPSS. The socio-economic analysis indicated that 54.8% of respondents were smallholder farmers owning less than 1 hectare of land, while 37.4% were illiterate. Non-CSB farmers heavily depended on farmer-saved seed (69%), whereas CSB farmers diversified their seed sources through community seed banks (45%). Comparative yield analysis revealed significantly higher productivity among CSB farmers for wheat (2.82 ± 0.32 t/ha), summer OPV vegetables (6.40 ± 0.80 t/ha) and winter OPV vegetables (5.90 ± 0.70 t/ha) compared with non-CSB farmers, with highly significant differences (p < 0.01). Timely seed access improved from 59% among non-CSB farmers to 93% among CSB participants, while seed costs decreased by approximately 27%. Community seed banks also enhanced agrobiodiversity, climate resilience and increasing adoption of drought-resistant varieties. Household food security was substantially higher among CSB farmers (74%) compared with non-participants (43%). Regression analysis identified CSB participation as the strongest predictor of crop productivity (β = +0.65; p < 0.01), and the model explained 71% of total yield variation (R² = 0.71). The study concludes that CSBs significantly contribute to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation and rural food security in conflict-affected regions of Pakistan.

Keywords: Community seed banks, sustainable agriculture, local seed systems, food security, crop diversity, climate resilience, Bara Tehsil, District Khyber.