Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station (TSIPS) has been implementing the Indigenous Millet Germplasm Preservation Project for almost 3 years to promote the sustainable utilization of crops in indigenous communities. This project primarily involves collaboration with the non-profit organization, Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation, to establish a preservation system for indigenous millet germplasm. We have not only gained knowledge of the quality and characteristics of millet seeds from various regions in Taiwan but also established a standardized preservation system for millet conservation. Through rigorous testing within the preservation system, we have successfully propagated and preserved 93 millet strains, receiving recognition and approval from indigenous communities and relevant organizations. If the tribe has a need for breeding and preserving the original seeds, they can seek assistance from TSIPS that provide a comprehensive mechanism for seed preservation, truly realizing the goal of "keeping the seeds retention within the tribes."

Climate change is gradually affecting crops. Global food security has become the focus of international attention. According to the analysis of the United Nations, millet can grow under severe and dry conditions. When the harvest of other grains is insufficient, millet can become the main local grain and one of the key crops for rebuilding the food system. The United Nations designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets. However, in the process of modern agricultural development, the cultivation of millet has mostly been replaced by other crops. Even among the indigenous tribes, the status of millet as a staple food has gradually declinedand disappeared. In recent years, Taiwan's industrial, academic and agricultural research institutions have jointly launched a series of actions for the restoration of millet species in order to sustainably maintain the indigenous millet culture.

During 2021-2022, the Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation collected the millet species of the indigenous tribes, including Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung and other indigenous tribes, and successively collected 125 millet species (lines). Through the technical expertise of the seed station, including seed quality inspection, germplasm preservation system, pest and disease control, and seed formulation, as well as the sharing of resources such as off-site preservation and warehousing, we provide tribal communities with specialized knowledge in seed preservation. We also exchange experiences in germplasm preservation, thereby establishing a comprehensive mechanism for sharing indigenous millet germplasm, enabling the sustainable inheritance and development of indigenous millet culture. Currently, 93 millet varieties have been successfully cultivated, and the significant agronomic characteristics of these varieties have been investigated and established. On May 15 this year, TSIPS and the Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation invited the partners of the indigenous tribes to participate in the observation and sharing session. For the millet seeds produced in the TSIPS millet production and management nursery, 80% of the millet seeds must be returned to the indigenous tribal partners who collected them. The indigenous tribal partners brought back excellent seeds to continue planting in the tribe. And 20% of the millet seeds are stored in TSIPS (off-site conservation) with professional conditions, and will be released back to the tribe when needed. After the event, more indigenous handed over their family-inherited millet seeds to the TSIPS team through the Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation. Indigenous people hope that through teamwork, the precious millet species can be preserved from generation to generation. This is the truest and kindest feedback for our mission.

▲Figure 1: Cultivation status of 93 indigenous millet germplasm in TSIPS nursery.	▲Figure 2: Photo of  indigenous people from the Taitung tribe and Tse-Xin Foundation with indigenous millet germplasms in TSIPS nursery.
▲Figure 3: Photo of indigenous people from the Hualien with indigenous millet germplasms in TSIPS nursery.	▲Figure 4: Exhibition of different indigenous millet germplasms.
▲Figure 5: The diversity of indigenous millet germplasm is a treasure of the tribal communities.