The seed fair in Wuzhishan，Hainan Province，China，in October 2009 attracted many people of the Li ethnic group. Photo：GTZ

What are seed fairs for？

Typically，seed fairs are one-day events where farmers display samples of the seeds or plant material that they use in their fields and vegetable patches. It may be the full range of cultivated species from seed crops to tuber and root species to fruits or the range of varieties of a single crop. Fairs usually take place between the harvest and the new sowing season，when farmers routinely have plentiful supplies of seed and other planting material. The fairs are also popular social occasions where people meet，exchange news and views，and eat and drink together.

They are also occasions for farmers to look out for varieties they may have lost，or have always wanted to try growing. Knowledge is passed on at the same time as seeds are handed over：which site does this variety prefer，and what is the best use for that one？There is a special interest in old varieties which were believed to have been lost in the region. Frequently there are also diversity contests：the farmer who displays the most diversity is awarded a prize. Sometimes the prizes are a real economic incentive to the farmers to introduce more diversity into their fields or their vegetable gardens. The organizing committee nominates the judges and sets out the criteria for the judging of the material. The prizes awarded to the diversity contest winners underline the importance of agrobiodiversity，and also pay tribute to the achievements of those who are custodians of the cultural heritage.