TOEFL ITP Reading set 017
Reading Comprehension practice — read the passage and choose the best answer.
ธนาคารเมล็ดพันธุ์ชุมชนเพื่อพืชผล
- Line numbers appear every 5 lines.
- Answer all 10 questions, then choose ตรวจคำตอบ to see the Thai translation, score summary, and explanation.
- Use Previous / Next to open the previous or next practice set.
Community seed banks collect and store seeds from local farms so
families can replant crops that grow well in their own soil and
climate. Unlike large national gene banks that freeze samples for
research, village banks usually keep seed in cool, dry rooms that
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neighbors can visit each planting season. Farmers bring in
surplus grain after harvest, and trained volunteers sort it by
crop type, moisture level, and year. Each packet is labeled with
the variety name, the donor's village, and short notes about
taste, disease resistance, or drought tolerance. The bank then
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lends seed to members who promise to return a similar amount
after their next harvest, keeping the supply circulating instead
of selling it once and emptying the shelves.
These banks help protect crop diversity. Modern markets often
favor a few high-yield varieties, so older landraces can
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disappear when farmers switch to commercial seed. A community
bank can preserve dozens of bean, rice, or maize types that
thrived for generations nearby. When unusual weather damages a
field, growers can borrow a hardier local variety that survived
similar stress before. Shared seed also lowers costs for
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households that cannot buy new seed every year. In some places,
women's groups manage the storage and decide who receives
priority after floods or storms.
Challenges remain. Seeds lose vigor if humidity rises or insects
invade the room, so volunteers must check containers regularly
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and dry wet lots again. Clear rules about return rates prevent
shortages when many members need seed at once. Trust matters: if
people take seed but never repay, the bank shrinks. Training
workshops teach safe cleaning methods and accurate record keeping
so new volunteers can continue the work.
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When community seed banks succeed, villages keep more control
over what they plant and eat. Schools sometimes visit to learn
how food starts from a tiny seed rather than only from a store
bag. Partnerships with extension agents can add basic testing for
germination rates without taking ownership away from local
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members. Over time, a well-run bank becomes both a shared tool
for food security and a living library of crops adapted to home
ground.