STORY: These are the “seed keepers” of Chile.
They are an emerging group of farmers and ranchers who are trying to protect the traditional crops of their ancestors.
They collect, trade and plant hundreds of seeds to preserve forgotten vegetable varieties…
…Plants that were historically cultivated by the Mapuche indigenous people.
“Our job is to rescue all these forgotten seeds. No one produces them anymore. They are not produced because of plant characteristics.”
Caretaker Ana Yanez says the vegetables they are trying to save are dwindling…
…due to terrain – or farmers choosing high-yielding varieties.
Experts such as agronomist Ricardo Pertuze say that preserving a variety of crops is the key to areas affected by climate change.
“If there is a change in climate, that change in climate causes the variety that is used to adapt to the area to not change. So, the breeder will have to look for a new variety that will do that. But to get that new variety, you need the genetic diversity of the previously saved seed.”
The caretakers have been getting customers from high-end restaurants all over the country.
Pablo Caceres is a seed keeper and chef – who says he usually doesn’t find more than five varieties of tomatoes in the market.
But this year – he says he will have 26 species, and that the group is adding more every year.
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