What are Heirloom varieties?

Heirloom varieties, also known as heirloom cultivars or heritage varieties, are crops passed down from generation to generation within a family, community, or region and have generally been around for over 50 years. Farmers carefully selected these varieties over many years for their best characteristics and are open-pollinated, retain their genetic characters, and are “true to type.” They tend to have better nutritional value, are more adaptable to local conditions, and have unique shapes, colors, and flavors. These varieties hold immense cultural and historical significance. However, most such varieties have been replaced globally by introducing hybrid, artificially bred, or genetically modified varieties. Conservation of these valuable germplasms and the traditions linked to them hold great significance for a sustainable future of agriculture and food security.

Arkesh Shenoy

Agronomist - Co-founder of Prakheti Agrologics

Verified

Arkesh Kedar Shenoy is a graduate in Agriculture, with an unwavering passion for agroecology and agrobiodiversity. As the co-founder of Prakheti Agrologics, Arkesh leads projects in sustainable agricultural systems and environmental services. His primary focus is on promoting native agrobiodiversity, and he has established an impressive seed bank that houses over 400 varieties of native and heirloom crop species. During his internship at esteemed institutes like the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, he actively contributed to the conservation of traditional crop varieties and valuable wild forest species. An active member of the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS), Arkesh serves as the Coordinator of Projects for the Asia-Pacific Region. Through this role, he collaborates with individuals worldwide, inspiring a global movement toward sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. He has conducted numerous treewalks and workshops on microgreen culture, butterfly conservation, botanical specimen preservation, seed saving, and home gardening. Apart from his professional endeavors, Arkesh holds expertise in crafting terrariums. His self-sustaining ecospheres boast wild themes and feature native flora and captivating landscapes. His wide-ranging interests also include botanical and soil pigments, gastronomy, and nature photography.

Join our editorial team

Join our community and contribute to Wikifarmer, a platform based on the knowledge of a diverse community of farmers and people working in the agricultural industry from all over the world.

Article submission