xx 2025

The Basic Training Curriculum on Seed Rangers for Strengthening Farmers’ Seed Systems is designed for farmers, young farmer groups, and community seed network leaders to build a strong foundation for protecting and advancing local seed systems. The overall goal is to help participants understand global and local seed issues, recognize the value of farmers’ seed-saving practices, and develop the capacity to strengthen community-based seed networks through collective learning and action. The Basic Training Curriculum for Seed Rangers comprises 4 modules, detailed as follows.

Module 1: Understanding Our Seed System  Module 1 focuses on building shared awareness of seed systems by introducing formal and informal seed systems and examining where farmers’ seeds come from. Through group discussions and seed memory-sharing activities, participants reflect on seed heritage and cultural values in the Mekong region, helping them recognize that farmers are already seed custodians and understand why local seed systems are increasingly vulnerable. This module also situates local experiences within broader global and national contexts. Participants learn about global trends, including seed commercialization, UPOV, seed privatization, and changes in national seed laws across Mekong countries. Short lectures combined with small-group discussions enable participants to connect these trends to their own country contexts and farming realities.

Module 1: Understanding Our Seed System  Module 1 focuses on building shared awareness of seed systems by introducing formal and informal seed systems and examining where farmers’ seeds come from. Through group discussions and seed memory-sharing activities, participants reflect on seed heritage and cultural values in the Mekong region, helping them recognize that farmers are already seed custodians and understand why local seed systems are increasingly vulnerable. This module also situates local experiences within broader global and national contexts. Participants learn about global trends, including seed commercialization, UPOV, seed privatization, and changes in national seed laws across Mekong countries. Short lectures combined with small-group discussions enable participants to connect these trends to their own country contexts and farming realities.

Module 1: Understanding Our Seed System  Module 1 focuses on building shared awareness of seed systems by introducing formal and informal seed systems and examining where farmers’ seeds come from. Through group discussions and seed memory-sharing activities, participants reflect on seed heritage and cultural values in the Mekong region, helping them recognize that farmers are already seed custodians and understand why local seed systems are increasingly vulnerable. This module also situates local experiences within broader global and national contexts. Participants learn about global trends, including seed commercialization, UPOV, seed privatization, and changes in national seed laws across Mekong countries. Short lectures combined with small-group discussions enable participants to connect these trends to their own country contexts and farming realities.

Module 4: Building Local Seed Networks Module 4 shifts the training toward collective action by supporting participants in building and strengthening local seed networks. Through network mapping, group planning, and action plan development, participants identify allies, partners, and threats within their contexts. The curriculum concludes with participants developing simple, practical action plans and small initiatives to apply their learning and strengthen community seed systems in their own areas.