Instagram Landrace seed vendors doing the good work

[ngakpa]

It’s intersting that you claim that only one of those is not the same person.

check my post again, as you've misread what I wrote

you're right about Himalayan connection though (I misremembered that that was the account of Irranzig and co's guesthouse, which I only know because they were using their guesthouse account to spam comment on Real Seed Co even after I asked them to cut it out with their various other accounts --- silly stuff, though in fairness it has stopped now)

 

[Feb2006er]

The only reason I didn’t put RSC is because I saw a multi page thread right below it. I just thought I would add the other names. They are on my friends list too. There was another Indian collector @coco_genes but I didn’t know if that account was irrizinig or not.

 

[chiesesganja]

How to ensure that seeds are not contaminated by skunk genes is the most important

 

[Henry_420]

Doing the good work or actually speculating and doing bussiness like Ngakpa suggested in another post?

I have the feeling some just realized about a potential bussiness and gold mine for certain western growers... so it's just becoming another new trend from a small niche that do exists in the market.

Otherwise, where were this guys some time ago? Or why they don't collaborate with local gene banks or agricultire organizations in order to contribute to the real preservation? I think this has nothing to do with preservation landrace or research like many pretend, the preservation word is getting prostituted nowadays. If they really cared about that and characterizing local heirlooms their ultimate goal wouldn't be selling but doing that or even their own projects in order to restore and improve local lines and encourage their use between locals. But IMO they care more about customers than local farmers. In fact they seem to believe hybridization with foreign genes is ok.

Most just copy each other's behaviour. First they advertise all those amazing and super rare strains they've been gathering from old farmers and blablabla. Also their seed hunting expeditions and so on, raving about legendary seeds and plants when most don't even grow themselves. By their posts you realize most are young and often have actually limited experience and knowledge about Cannabis. Picking a few ideas from here and there but showing a big lack of understanding generally.

Then you start to realize they were just creating hype for seeds they were going to release or auction later on. Sometimes you can clearly see how they are selling hybrids and pretending they are unique ancient varieties and all that bs. Trying to give any value to local hybrids like if they were the Holy Grail. But we see this model in many poor places, where the locals just want to sell anything to the tourists. It's basically what they try to do on IG.

This guys just got inspired by The Strain Hunters adventures, I bet that's really how they first know about the Cannabis landraces and it's value in the eyes of capitalists or colonialists LOL. But let's be honest, their ultimate goal is doing bussiness as well and get some money so they can grab the latest iPhone or something like that, because I'm pretty sure it's not precisely the poorest guys the ones who have all those IG accounts and are trying to do bussiness, those probably don't even have access to internet or money to travel. Several local growers from India and other places had controversial opinions about them or how they were fooled by some and even a few of the guys who collect seeds for them confessed they didn't like the fact they want to make money with their local heritage.

It may have started as a bunch of interesting ideas but seems it just became another bussiness nowadays for a bunch of local smart asses. Once they started doing all those auctions, the good promises and ideas from the begginnings faded away and it just turned into a biz. It really reminds me to all the Strain Hunter thing a lot, they are definitely taking lots of ideas from that. Wolves in sheep's skin perhaps? We'll see.

On the other hand, for those willing to pay it may be a good chance to acquire some local seeds and perhaps find something decent, you never know, right?

Just my 2cents though.

Intetesting thoughts from Ngakpa:

WOW. That's quite a lot of assumptions you're making here. And pretty judgmental to top it of. You start with "I have a feeling", is that a feeling? or you have facts supporting all your claims?

Even assuming those guys are what you say they are... Selling Landrace seeds is not incompatible with doing preservation work. It can actually finance preservation work, while allowing western breeders to create new and more stable varietals... You can decide to see evil everywhere though.

I've communicated with a few of these guys -not on IG but on there (safer)- and they have been knowledgeable, polite and not especially greedy. My experience, not assumptions.

 

[Henry_420]

Where's the bridge? There are big seed banks and there are seed hunters. It would be nice to have a way to buy seeds from preservationists. Independent little guys I guess, before they make it to larger seed banks. It is a different feeling when you see pictures of the people and places where you are sending money. Compared to a seed bank where you don't actually see the location and breeding and stuff. The number one might have the best but let the others have a shot why not can't hurt is my thought. I guess the word is unfortunate? That it is illegal to grow cannabis so we do not have the opportunity to see all of the breeders' projects more transparently. Established breeders may have done tremendous work above and beyond some random kid pitching seed packs online. Without an open book of the breeding lines, as consumers the only way for us to know is to try growing them out.

Have you tried this platform ?
You have to have to be careful though. Not sure everybody is safe on there but I came across some interesting stuffs. Loved the concept

 

[Henry_420]

Have you tried this platform ?
You have to have to be careful though. Not sure everybody is safe on there but I came across some interesting stuffs. Loved the concept

 

[dc2569]

Thays why i have been collecting landraces for 10 plus years. They will all be gone soon if not for passionate people.

 

[troutman]

Landraces are priceless to breeders who want to create something original to their liking.

 

[pookie123]

I have dealt with@rastafarout and he is a cool dude that does not charge much and is using part of what he makes to finance future trips to Africa to collect more landraces.. I made a trade for some of his Transkei and Lesotho landraces and he was more than generous!