Conceptualizing indigenous seed storage as a climate-resilient food system infrastructure: evidence from tribal community-based maize conservation in Eastern Himalaya

Introduction The erosion of indigenous seed systems under yield-centric agricultural intensification has reduced agrobiodiversity and increased the climate vulnerability of smallholder food systems. In the North Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India, where farming systems are closely intertwined with local ecologies and cultural institutions, community-based seed conservation practices continue to play a critical role in sustaining resilience. However, these indigenous systems remain inadequately recognized within formal agricultural policy frameworks. This study investigates traditional maize seed storage practices among the Lushai tribal communities of Lunglei district, Mizoram, and conceptualizes them as decentralized, climate-resilient food system infrastructure. Methods Field research was conducted in the villages of Rawpui, Cherhlunang, and Thlitlang using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions involving 88 households. Maize seed samples stored under different traditional methods were evaluated under laboratory conditions for germination percentage, tetrazolium-based viability, electrical conductivity, moisture content, and insect damage. Perception analysis was also carried out to assess the socio-cultural and economic dimensions associated with traditional storage practices. Results Among the identified storage methods, the hanging method locally known as khairo/dahro na was adopted by 80.68% of households and demonstrated superior performance across all quality parameters. Seeds stored under this method maintained 96% germination and 94% viability, with low electrical conductivity (8.43 μS cm −1 g −1 ), minimal insect damage (7%), and optimal moisture content (11%), enabling safe storage for 8–9 months. In contrast, seeds stored in jute sacks showed substantially higher insect damage (35%) and reduced germination (35%). Beyond technical efficiency, the hanging storage system supported intergenerational knowledge transfer, community seed exchange, and in situ conservation of locally adapted maize landraces within Jhum cultivation systems. Discussion The findings indicate that indigenous seed storage systems perform multiple infrastructure-like functions within decentralized tribal food systems by stabilizing seed availability, minimizing storage losses, and strengthening community-based conservation of agrobiodiversity. Integrating such systems into agricultural policy through participatory refinement, promotion of community seed banks, and recognition of custodian farmers, particularly women, can enhance the adaptive capacity and scalability of indigenous seed systems without undermining their ecological and socio-cultural foundations.