The first concerted step for the preservation of authentic Kytherian varieties has become a reality. 24 varieties have been recorded and are housed in a small organized structure in Kythera: the Kythera Seed Ark.
The varieties and the knowledge around them are the collective heritage of those who have cultivated and continue to cultivate the land of Kythera. Kivotos is an initiative that can contribute to the preservation of unique crops and the sustainable development of agri-food on the island.
Specifically, the project included: rapid recording of local varieties, mapping of local knowledge on their cultivation and use, and seed collection.
At the same time, a network of variety keepers and the small, community seed bank «Ark of Kythera Seeds» was created, with all the necessary equipment, which now hosts the 24 local varieties recorded during the project implementation period and can be enriched with other varieties in the coming years.
Seeds of local varieties hosted in a local bank thrive in that region and have a unique genetic material adapted to the local climate and soil.
An additional objective of the effort was the transfer of know-how from Lemnos (project LEMRACE) in Kythera. Thus, apart from the brief reference to the local varieties of Kythera, a guide for the creation, operation and further development of the Kythera Seed Ark was developed.
The representatives of the Kythera Culture and Development Foundation (K.I.P.A.) embraced the idea from the beginning, helped actively in the research and the installation of the bank and continue dynamically with the operation of the Ark! In early April, the first seed distribution was held to people interested in growing the varieties and contributing to seed multiplication - an absolute priority of the Ark.
The contribution of the local residents was also extremely important, who participated in the whole project, shared with us their valuable knowledge about the cultivation and use of the varieties and offered the first seeds for the creation of the bank.
This initiative is the result of the long-term cooperation between MedINA and KIPA and the local coordination of the project team (Danae Sfakianou, Peggy Vassiliou, Kiki Mavrou, George Kasimatis, Rigas Zafeiriou), the volunteers (Masha Zusman and Federica Marmo) and the first seed keepers/donors (Antonia Samiou, Giota Fardouli, Nikos Kalligeros, Manolis Kasimatis, Theodoros Theodorou and Gregoria Gianniotis)
Our vision is for the Ark of Kythera Seeds to become the basis for the preservation of all local varieties of the island, with a network of preservers that will constantly grow, and a bank that will be able to distribute this valuable material every year to the «cultivators-protectors» of the island's heritage.
The project «KYTHERACE - Saving the Seeds: Preserving agrobiodiversity in Kythera» was implemented in cooperation with the Kythira Foundation for Culture & Development (K.I.P.A.) and with the support of A.G. Leventis Foundation.
We invite you all to participate in this effort!
Contact details KIPA:
Kythera Office:
Kato Livadi, P.O. Box 80100, Kythera (2ο km of the Livadi-Kalamos provincial road)
Tel +30 2736037006
Responsible for the Kythera Seed Ark: Peggy Vassiliou, 6945467752
email: info@kipa-foundation.org
