Kenya’s Seed Law A Threat to Food Sovereignty

Kenyan lawmakers are under fire for enforcing the Seed and Plant Varieties Act, which penalizes farmers for sharing indigenous seeds without registration. This disproportionately harms smallholder farmers, who rely on traditional seed exchange.

Indigenous Seeds: Climate-Smart and Sustainable

These traditional practices promote biodiversity, and drought resistance, and require less water, perfectly aligning with climate-smart agriculture and circular economy principles. Yet, the law seems designed to benefit corporations and gatekeepers, not Kenyan communities.

A Broken System Favors Foreign Interests

While most Kenyan seeds come from informal exchanges, only 15 smallholders can currently challenge the law in court. Public participation is essential! Furthermore, 71% of seed industry intellectual property applications come from foreign entities. This creates a system biased towards foreign interests, not Kenyan food security.

Food Sovereignty Under Attack

Laws like this infringe on rural communities’ way of life and weaken our food sovereignty. Kenyans deserve lawmakers who prioritize their well-being over corporate profits.

Time to Unite for Food Independence

Sharing indigenous seeds is an ancient practice crucial for food security. Kenyans must unite against this injustice. The “Seeds of Poverty” report by CAFOD exposes the harmful intentions behind such laws.

Working Together for a Sustainable Future

These illogical restrictions hurt local farmers and citizens. All stakeholders, from farmers to consumers, must challenge this trend. We need policies that support local agriculture, not processed food from corporations.

Conclusion:

In this critical time, Kenya needs policies that ensure food sovereignty and a sustainable future for all. Let’s advocate for change!