Cyprus Community Seed Bank – Guardian of Agricultural Heritage
The Cyprus Community Bank of Traditional Seeds has become a reality, fulfilling a long-standing vision tirelessly pursued by Mr. Panikos Hambas, Secretary General of the Union of Cypriot Farmers (EKA), and his colleagues.
The Bank is now part of the Community Seed Banks of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and aims to:
Educate the public about the value of Cyprus’s many native plant species,
Collect and preserve seeds of endangered species, and
Provide small quantities of seeds to interested individuals.
The Seed Bank is housed just outside the village of Kalopanayiotis and operates as a visitable farm, featuring an exhibition room with seed displays, a cold storage chamber for seed preservation, and a restaurant, which is expected to open in a few weeks.
An 800-meter shaded trail also begins at the facility, leading through the area’s beautiful natural landscape.
The Laona Foundation collaborates with EKA in the European project LIFE-AgrOassis, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices to address the impacts of climate change in regions threatened by desertification.
We wish every success to the Seed Bank in its journey – a valuable initiative for preserving our agricultural heritage!
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