In Kenya, farmers are mobilizing to make their voices heard and challenge a controversial native seeds law. Fifteen farmers from across the country filed a petition in court to amend this law, which criminalizes the use, sale and barter of uncertified native seeds. An unprecedented approach which aims to protect the rights of farmers and preserve the country’s agricultural biodiversity.
The Plant Seeds and Varieties Act, which was introduced in 2021, imposes prison sentences of up to two years and fines of up to $6,800 for violators. However, this legislation is in contradiction with the reality of agriculture in Kenya, where 90% of crops come from indigenous seeds. Farmers believe that they should be able to use the seeds they inherited from their ancestors, which are perfectly adapted to local environmental conditions.
To comply with the law, farmers have two options: have their seeds certified or purchase certified seeds. However, these processes are costly and inaccessible to most Kenyan farmers, especially those practicing family farming which accounts for 70% of the country’s agricultural production. As a result, the law risks not only penalizing farmers, but also leading to an impoverishment of agricultural biodiversity and a growing dependence on multinational seed companies.
Native seeds, inherited and cultivated for generations, are specifically adapted to local conditions, including periods of drought. They therefore play an essential role in Kenya’s agricultural resilience and food security. Farmers therefore demand to be recognized as guardians of agricultural biodiversity and not as criminals.
Beyond local issues, this mobilization of Kenyan farmers also highlights a broader issue linked to seed regulation in many countries. The debate over access to indigenous seeds and seed sovereignty is a hot topic around the world, where many farmers are fighting to preserve their rights and autonomy in the face of the industrialization of agriculture.
It is essential to support Kenyan farmers in their demand for changes to the Seeds Act and to recognize the value of indigenous seeds in preserving agricultural biodiversity and food security. Seed sovereignty is a crucial issue for the future of sustainable agriculture and it is important that legislation supports traditional agricultural practices rather than penalizing them.