AGROSAVIA strengthens food sovereignty through the training of seed guardians

Pasto, Nariño. June 4, 2026. AGROSAVIA, in partnership with AGROECONUR, the Universidad del Cauca, and SWISSAID, successfully conducted the first in-person module of the Diploma Program for the Training of Agroecological Seed Producers and Conservators. This initiative, designed for the custodians of the Seeds of Life Guardians Network (RGSV, for its acronym in Spanish), represents a significant step toward preserving agricultural biodiversity and strengthening food sovereignty in the region.

The training program was carried out at the facilities of Universidad del Cauca in Popayán and at La Sultana Farm, where researchers and farmers exchanged technical knowledge and ancestral wisdom on the management, selection, and conservation of native and creole seed varieties.

 

A Commitment to the Future of Agriculture

For AGROSAVIA, this diploma program goes beyond technology transfer; it is a strategic knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at empowering local producers. By training RGSV custodians, the program ensures that seed multiplication and storage techniques remain in practice, safeguarding valuable genetic resources of cultural and biological significance for future generations of farmers.

“This diploma program represents a milestone in our institutional mission to protect the life that originates from the land. Our collaborative work with the Seeds of Life Guardians Network enables us to bring together scientific knowledge and farmers’ traditional wisdom to address the challenges of climate change and food security,” stated representatives of the research team at the Obonuco Research Center.

 

Impact of the Diploma Program

Technical strengthening: Training in agroecological seed multiplication and selection practices.

Knowledge network: Consolidation of a social network of custodians committed to the exchange and protection of local varieties.

Sustainability: Promotion of resilient production systems that rely on self-sufficiency in obtaining and preserving their own seeds.

AGROSAVIA reaffirms its commitment to continuing its support for these territorial initiatives, recognizing that every seed preserved represents a fundamental link in building peace and fostering sustainable rural development throughout the country.