Food, plants and sustainable farming in Southeast Asia
Work with ECHO Asia
Started in 2009, patient ECHO Asia seed bank is a fully functioning facility for seed production and distribution in Southeast Asia and for implementing research initiatives to establish standards at the community/grassroots-development level for vacuum-sealed seed storage, order
developing better weevil management processes for field crop seeds and natural pest management techniques.
We have over 70 varieties of plants that we distribute to partners in India, Burma, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.  We have provided seeds to regional partners in  over 10 seed exchange events since 2011.
ECHO Asia now employs 4 full-time seed bank staff who come from ethnic minority communities in northern Thailand
As technical advisor, I consulted on major seed bank functions, from seed production to distribution phases, and develop and implement year-long research projects. Â I have presented workshops on biogas technology, seed saving and grain amaranth in Thailand and Burma.
In 2012, ECHO Asia had two major training events with Burmese partners: a 3-day workshop on seed saving with 30 local staff, and a 3 day agriculture workshop with over 65 attendees from over 20 local organizations.