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Different members of the Network came together for its 15th anniversary, held in 2022 in the Xingu Indigenous Land. PHOTO: Erick Vesch/ISA/Cama Leão

The Xingu River is one of the largest rivers in Brazil—and the main waterway of the iconic Xingu Indigenous Land. PHOTO: Erik Vesch / ISA / Cama Leão

PHOTO: Lia Rezende DominguesÌý

It was sunny when I first walked into theÌýÂ鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ. I had come from far away—from Brazil’s heartlands—to share what a community-based native seed collection network looks like in my country.

The story I brought wasn’t mine alone. I was speaking on behalf of many, because theÌýXingu Seed Network (Rede de Sementes do Xingu) is, above all, the result of a collective, creative, and diverse effort. So I began by asking for permission.

The students listened as I did something I deeply enjoy: sharing solutions for a challenging world.

The Xingu Seed Network

The Xingu Seed Network is the largest and most diverse community-based native seed collection network in Brazil. In a nutshell, the organization brings together more thanÌý700 people who collectÌýover 35 tons of native seeds fromÌý130 native species every year.

These seeds are destined for ecological restoration — collecting and selling them is the beating heart of the Network’s work. And, it’s important to say, these same seeds are gathered byÌýmany and diverse hands:Ìý68% of the collectors areÌýIndigenous,Ìý26% areÌýfamily farmers, andÌý6% areÌýurban seed gatherers.

To make that happen, an intricate governance structure has been built over the years through experience — through both mistakes and successes — and through shared knowledge that allowed local communities, technicians, researchers, landowners, and companies to come together around a single element:Ìýthe seed.

First, the beginning: when roots are made of water

TheÌýXingu Seed Network is a non-profit organization that has been operating in the state ofÌýMato Grosso, Brazil, sinceÌý2007.

It was born out of an interinstitutional campaign led by theÌý, as a response to an Indigenous call to care for theÌýXingu River, one of the major rivers in the region where the Network operates.

To care for the river, it was decided that we should replant its margins and headwaters. And to plant, we would need seeds. That’s how it all began:Ìý18 years ago, theÌýfirst ten collectors — who would later form the largest community-based seed network in Brazil — deliveredÌý5 tons of seeds.

Since then, these seeds have germinated, grown, and become forests — literally. Throughout its journey, the Xingu Seed Network has alreadyÌýcommercialized over 390 tons of seeds, enabling theÌýrestoration of nearly 11,000 hectares and generatingÌýmore than 1.8 million USD in income for the seed collectors.

Today, the Xingu Seed Network is theÌýlargest among the networks that make upÌý, a national articulation of community-based native seed collection networks across Brazil.

Then, continuity: an invitation to know more

Over the next few months, we will share more about this deeply inspiring experience of the Xingu Seed Network. Topics such asÌýgovernance, women, and youth will be explored in future posts. Stay tuned to learn more.