ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. This book recognizes and applauds the major achievements of 30 years of community seed banking around the world. It identifies a number of common weaknesses and challenges and offers some critical thoughts about the way forward. The book presents three broad possible scenarios for the future development of community seed banks as input for reflection, and action. The first scenario depicts a development path that consists of more of the same. The second scenario represents a strong institutionalization path. The book shows that elements of this scenario are already being explored by various community seed banks. Community seed banks would form an international confederation to share knowledge and experience and speak with a common voice. The third scenario would lead to the establishment and expansion of open-source seed systems around the world.
