The CIMME program refers to the Collection, Identification, Multiplication, Maintenance and Evaluation (CIMME) of lowland and upland rice and corn varieties. This component program is undertaken on a national scale to retrieve the fast disappearing biodiversity in our environment. It ensures that collected species/varieties are maintained in seedbanks/farms for the peasants to have greater access for breeding and production.

The collection of traditional varieties is a key part of MASIPAG's program and provides the basis of ongoing diversification, breeding and conservation of agricultural diversity. The decentralized, regional approach, better allows MASIPAG to be responsive to the needs of farmers.

Seeds are maintained in a back-up seed bank, in PO-managed trial/research farms and in-situ in the genetically diverse farms of farmers and farmer-breeders. There is a focus on the subsistence crops of rice and corn although some work is done with vegetables. The new corn program is growing greatly. In the past year, 63 varieties were collected in Mindanao with 77 new partners. The success of this program shows the need of farmers to find locally adapted alternatives to mainstream varieties of corn that are heavily reliant of external inputs.

In Luzon, there are 48 trial farms established in 13 provinces. In the Visayas, there are 46 Trial Farms (having at least 50 rice cultivars) were maintained for the year 2002. In Mindanao, 91 trial farms are maintained by partner peoples' organizations, some with the help of NGOs or the church.

The rice component seeks to sustain collection and improvement of Traditional Rice Varieties and seed exchanges, upscale organic adoption, production and conversion and intensify soil fertility management practices. It likewise engages in on-farm research firstly, with an identification of research needs. From there pilot areas are determined and eventually the conduct of research is undertaken.

The corn component aims to intensify collection of both yellow and white corn. The composite development of collections is also targeted. The PO leaders and members in Visayas and Mindanao largely implement this.

MASIPAG has started initial work on its genetic conservation and improvement program of indigenous farm animals that is expected to increase farmers' food security and enhance their control over genetic resources and agricultural production. This program was developed in partnership with scientists from the Institute of Animal Science of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños.

A National Workshop on Smallholders Livestock and Poultry Conservation and Improvement was conducted in UP Los Baños last March 2004 to discuss the program components and implementation. Farmers' organizations in Luzon particularly, Camarines Sur and Nueva Vizcaya, started establishing gene pools for native chicken immediately after the workshop. Camarines Sur farmers focused their conservation work on Egon, a native chicken in the said province while Nueva Vizcaya PO will focus their work on Joloanaon, a native breed of chicken in the said province. read more...