A growing group of farmers is dedicated to protecting the traditional crops of their ancestors. Their mission is to collect, trade, and plant hundreds of seeds to preserve rare varieties of vegetables once grown by the indigenous Mapuche people.
Ana Yanez, one of the guardians, explains that many of these vegetables are disappearing. “Our goal is to rescue these forgotten seeds,” she says. “No one reproduces them anymore. This is partly because of the plants’ unique characteristics.”
Experts like agronomist Ricardo Pertuze point out that the decline of these crops is linked to both environmental changes and farmers choosing higher-yield varieties. According to Pertuze, preserving a wide range of crop varieties is critical, especially in areas affected by climate change.
“When climate shifts occur, crops that were once well-suited to a region may no longer thrive,” Pertuze explains. “To adapt, farmers will need new varieties. This makes genetic diversity, such as that found in saved seeds, essential for future resilience.”
The seed guardians have found support in high-end restaurants across the country. Chef Pablo Caceres, who is also a seed guardian, notes that he typically encounters no more than five varieties of tomatoes at markets. However, this year, he plans to offer 26 varieties, with the group continuing to expand its collection each year.
Related topics: