 I am tiny but I am mighty I am tiny but I give birth to so many I am tiny but you need me you may not realize it but I help you live you may forget that I exist but exist I do and if I live on so can you but not so long ago I was gasping to stay alive to continue taking care of you my family and I were in danger of dying out and leaving this planet forever in fact some of my relatives did die out just as the rest of us were about to give up all hope something remarkable happened an earthly savior noticed our plight peaked us up and neutered us back to health just as I thought you had forgotten all about us you saved us and by saving us you also saved yourselves the climate has changed and with it so has the earth on which we all depend for life previously fertile land has dried up due to droughts or been swept away in unexpected storms leaving farmers at a loss of seeds of food and of livelihoods without seeds there would be no plants no trees no fruit no vegetables no grains fortunately the international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture works with farmers plant breeders and policymakers around the world to save share and take care of the seeds that feed us all the international treaty provides free and easy access to plant material needed around the world so that farmers are better equipped to face unexpected crises like weather emergencies farmers indigenous communities seed banks and gene banks all play a pivotal role in ensuring crop diversity and food security for us and for our descendants thank you for being guardians of crop diversity