“Eeuwig Moes Network”
Participatory tools to analyze Eeuwig Moes Network for the conservation and use of indigenous and forgotten vegetables: A case study from the Netherlands (Working Paper)
Shree Kumar Maharjan1, Nattaya Montri 2, Alfred Oduor Odindo3, Bayush Tsegaye4, Shyamala Subbareddy5, Huni Tambudzayi6, Ibidunni Sakirat7
1Nepal, 2Thailand, 3Kenya, 4Ethiopia, 5India, 6Zimbabwe, 7Nigeria
Background
Neglected and forgotten vegetables are those vegetables that are not in use these days due to various reasons. But recently, there are growing interests among conservationists and businessman for the conservation, use and promotion of such traditional and forgotten vegetables in The Netherlands and also all around the world. One of these indigenous vegetables in the Netherlands is Eeuwig Moes, cruciferous vegetable (Brassica oleracea var ramose) (fig.1). In the old days, it was used to be grown in early winters as a source of vitamin C, in home gardens. Traditional vegetables including Eeuwig Moes were vulnerable in dutch home gardens, because of difficult to produce viable seeds and regeneration
It was the dream of Ruurd Walrecht to establish a vegetable museum for the conservation of traditional and forgotten vegetables of the Netherlands. Towards realizing his dreams, he collected many those vegetable species and tried to form an association/network, but he was not successful.
Consequently a group of volunteers formed an informal network in 2006 with the objective of conserving traditional and forgotten vegetables, including “Eeuwig moes”. Later, the informal network was called “Eeuwig moes Network”.
This study made an analysis of the current situation on how the network is organized and functions. This report is as a result of a field study exercise by participants of the course on integrated and participatory approaches in agro-biodiversity management. The general objective of this exercise was to make an analysis of the genetic resources system for indigenous/ traditional vegetables in The Netherlands. The specific objectives were:
1. To study organization of informal genetic resources system with respect to indigenous vegetable system.
2. To identify the stakeholders and current linkages between them.
3. To analyze options for participatory approaches in indigenous vegetable system.
4. To suggest strategies that may contribute to the use and conservation of genetic diversity of indigenous vegetables.
Methodology
Field visits were organized to some of the stakeholders of the network and five different participatory tools were used for data collection. The details are listed in the table below.
Table-1: Stakeholders visited and participatory tools used during the field study
Visit Tool
1. Ms. Noor Bas of CGN Stakeholder analysis and flow chart
2. Mr. Bart Vosselman, Immenhof Crop and varieties diversity matrix
(Bolster seed company)
3. Mr. Jan Zoer, Castle Doorwerth Agrobiodiversity Map (Resource map)
(Castle Garden)
4. Mr. Taco Ijzerman of De Ommuurde Tuin Venn diagram
(Organic garden)
5. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, Time line
(De Tuinnen van Weldadghied)
Based on the information gathered, the group carried out a SWOT analysis and the results are summarized in the chart below.
SWOT Analysis
Strengthens
- Motive to conserve old forgotten vegetables
- Enthusiasm of members
- Commitment of members
- Support from CGN
- Link with media
- Linking with health and climate
- Get support and fund
- Organic production
Weaknesses
- Slow process
- Lack of fund
- Less organized
- Power balance and decision making
- Key leader
- Seed quality
- Non- professional
Opportunity
- Organized network
- Market opportunity
- Having more diversity
- SMTAs- Extension pf production area
- National and International seed
exchange
Threats
- IPR issue
- Plant health regulation
- SMTAs- Extension pf production area
In order to enhance the capacity of the network for conservation and management of traditional and forgotten vegetable species/varieties, and based on the SWOT analysis, the group recommends the following vision and strategies for next 10 years.
Vision
Well organized network for management of traditional vegetables with better mobilization of information, germplasms and funds.
1. Well organized network
2. Better management of traditional vegetables
3. Mobilization of information and germplasm
4. Government support and funding.
Strategies
Awareness raising for public and stakeholders
Encourage professional membership
Develop functional system
In situ management with Network members
Ex situ management with CGN
Participatory germplasm exchange
Develop database to link to web portal and media
Lobbying government and policy-makers for recognition and support
Develop project proposal to secure funding for the conservation of traditional and forgotten vegetables.
Conclusion
The initiatives taken by the network to conserve traditional and forgotten vegetables is quite impressing and could be exemplary for other countries as well. It is complementing the exsitu conservation being carried by CGN. The motive of conserving the traditional vegetables as a national heritage, which is being carried out by the Castle garden and hobby growers helps to ensure conservation in a dynamic state for the next generation. The role of CGN being a source of germplasm and technical information is vital for achieving the objectives of the network. However, CGN should not play a dominant role and should enhance a process that would result in the evolution of an effective and independent leadership within the network. In addition, professionalism, the public awareness and policy lobby on traditional and forgotten vegetable is also important for functional network and government support. Network should focus both ex-situ and in-situ side by side for the conservation and utilization of local vegetables and develop market linkages with supermarket in order to make it more sustainable.
Acknowledgment
The group would like to thank all the individual farmer, professional member of network who devoted their time for the discussion, received us with warm welcome, and took part in the participatory exercises and shared information and knowledge. We would like to appreciate the supports and contributions of Marja Thijssen during the field visit.
Shree Kumar Maharjan1, Nattaya Montri 2, Alfred Oduor Odindo3, Bayush Tsegaye4, Shyamala Subbareddy5, Huni Tambudzayi6, Ibidunni Sakirat7
1Nepal, 2Thailand, 3Kenya, 4Ethiopia, 5India, 6Zimbabwe, 7Nigeria
Background
Neglected and forgotten vegetables are those vegetables that are not in use these days due to various reasons. But recently, there are growing interests among conservationists and businessman for the conservation, use and promotion of such traditional and forgotten vegetables in The Netherlands and also all around the world. One of these indigenous vegetables in the Netherlands is Eeuwig Moes, cruciferous vegetable (Brassica oleracea var ramose) (fig.1). In the old days, it was used to be grown in early winters as a source of vitamin C, in home gardens. Traditional vegetables including Eeuwig Moes were vulnerable in dutch home gardens, because of difficult to produce viable seeds and regeneration
It was the dream of Ruurd Walrecht to establish a vegetable museum for the conservation of traditional and forgotten vegetables of the Netherlands. Towards realizing his dreams, he collected many those vegetable species and tried to form an association/network, but he was not successful.
Consequently a group of volunteers formed an informal network in 2006 with the objective of conserving traditional and forgotten vegetables, including “Eeuwig moes”. Later, the informal network was called “Eeuwig moes Network”.
This study made an analysis of the current situation on how the network is organized and functions. This report is as a result of a field study exercise by participants of the course on integrated and participatory approaches in agro-biodiversity management. The general objective of this exercise was to make an analysis of the genetic resources system for indigenous/ traditional vegetables in The Netherlands. The specific objectives were:
1. To study organization of informal genetic resources system with respect to indigenous vegetable system.
2. To identify the stakeholders and current linkages between them.
3. To analyze options for participatory approaches in indigenous vegetable system.
4. To suggest strategies that may contribute to the use and conservation of genetic diversity of indigenous vegetables.
Methodology
Field visits were organized to some of the stakeholders of the network and five different participatory tools were used for data collection. The details are listed in the table below.
Table-1: Stakeholders visited and participatory tools used during the field study
Visit Tool
1. Ms. Noor Bas of CGN Stakeholder analysis and flow chart
2. Mr. Bart Vosselman, Immenhof Crop and varieties diversity matrix
(Bolster seed company)
3. Mr. Jan Zoer, Castle Doorwerth Agrobiodiversity Map (Resource map)
(Castle Garden)
4. Mr. Taco Ijzerman of De Ommuurde Tuin Venn diagram
(Organic garden)
5. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, Time line
(De Tuinnen van Weldadghied)
Based on the information gathered, the group carried out a SWOT analysis and the results are summarized in the chart below.
SWOT Analysis
Strengthens
- Motive to conserve old forgotten vegetables
- Enthusiasm of members
- Commitment of members
- Support from CGN
- Link with media
- Linking with health and climate
- Get support and fund
- Organic production
Weaknesses
- Slow process
- Lack of fund
- Less organized
- Power balance and decision making
- Key leader
- Seed quality
- Non- professional
Opportunity
- Organized network
- Market opportunity
- Having more diversity
- SMTAs- Extension pf production area
- National and International seed
exchange
Threats
- IPR issue
- Plant health regulation
- SMTAs- Extension pf production area
In order to enhance the capacity of the network for conservation and management of traditional and forgotten vegetable species/varieties, and based on the SWOT analysis, the group recommends the following vision and strategies for next 10 years.
Vision
Well organized network for management of traditional vegetables with better mobilization of information, germplasms and funds.
1. Well organized network
2. Better management of traditional vegetables
3. Mobilization of information and germplasm
4. Government support and funding.
Strategies
Awareness raising for public and stakeholders
Encourage professional membership
Develop functional system
In situ management with Network members
Ex situ management with CGN
Participatory germplasm exchange
Develop database to link to web portal and media
Lobbying government and policy-makers for recognition and support
Develop project proposal to secure funding for the conservation of traditional and forgotten vegetables.
Conclusion
The initiatives taken by the network to conserve traditional and forgotten vegetables is quite impressing and could be exemplary for other countries as well. It is complementing the exsitu conservation being carried by CGN. The motive of conserving the traditional vegetables as a national heritage, which is being carried out by the Castle garden and hobby growers helps to ensure conservation in a dynamic state for the next generation. The role of CGN being a source of germplasm and technical information is vital for achieving the objectives of the network. However, CGN should not play a dominant role and should enhance a process that would result in the evolution of an effective and independent leadership within the network. In addition, professionalism, the public awareness and policy lobby on traditional and forgotten vegetable is also important for functional network and government support. Network should focus both ex-situ and in-situ side by side for the conservation and utilization of local vegetables and develop market linkages with supermarket in order to make it more sustainable.
Acknowledgment
The group would like to thank all the individual farmer, professional member of network who devoted their time for the discussion, received us with warm welcome, and took part in the participatory exercises and shared information and knowledge. We would like to appreciate the supports and contributions of Marja Thijssen during the field visit.
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