Grassroots · Xoy, Peto, Yucatán, Mexico
Guardianes de las Semillas (Xoy, Yucatán)
Native maize seed swap in southern Yucatán · 22 years of farmers sharing seed
Works across the regionYucatán Peninsula
- seed swap
- native maize
- seed fair
- farmer-led
- Maya region
Asociación Civil Guardianes de las Semillas organises the yearly Feria de las Semillas Nativas in Xoy, near Peto, where farmers trade and exchange native maize such as nuk naal, pix cristo, mulato and nal t'eel before planting season. The 22nd fair, on 26 April 2026, drew dozens of producers from Tixméhuac, Chacsinkín, Tzucacab, Tahdziú, Xoy and neighbouring Quintana Roo. Seeds are carried in procession and blessed by an H'men praying in Maya.
The Xoy seed guardians also share seed and know-how beyond the fair: in 2021 members swapped native cucumber, watermelon and bean seed with students at the Universidad Tecnológica del Mayab, and guardian Gerardo Chablé Chan described saving test seed to share with other farmers. The 2026 fair was run with the Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal, native maize producers and Heifer International, and organisers spoke up for cutting agrochemical use.
What they offer
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- Annual native seed exchange fair
- Native maize varieties