ECHO Asia Seed Bank

The ECHO Asia Seed Bank is located on the campus of the Upland Holistic Development Project in Chiang Mai province, Thailand.  The ECHO Asia Seed Bank is currently evaluating dozens of crops of regional importance with plans to make several of these proven varieties available by early 2011.

In addition to evaluating various food crop varieties, including amaranth, okra and legumes, for future production and distribution, Lue Chompoothong (ECHO Asia Seed Bank technician), and Ruth Tshin (volunteer seed bank consultant) are testing natural seed storage techniques for possible implementation.

We aim to include nitrogen-fixing trees, vegetables, green manure cover crops, oil crops and northern Thai indigenous agroforestry species (palms, eg. rattan; spice plants, eg. Piper spp.; perennial vegetables, eg. katuk, moringa).

We also expect to provide access to information related to:

1. Seed bank development
2. Plant variety descriptions
3. Seed ordering
4. Seed saving tips