Kikuyu, Kenya, is home to the National Seed Bank, a vital place for preserving the country’s agricultural future. Nestled in a green, forested area, this bank keeps over 50,000 varieties of seeds in carefully controlled, cool rooms.
Founded in 1988, the bank was created to protect traditional seed varieties that were disappearing, especially as climate change impacts agriculture. Its mission is to conserve seeds for research and to help farmers reintroduce these resilient varieties.
Desterio Nyamongo, the director of the Genetic Resources Research Institute, explains that some traditional seeds are not just surviving but thriving in challenging conditions. “When farmers plant these indigenous seeds in tough areas, they often perform better than newer hybrid varieties,” he said. These hybrid seeds need to be purchased each season, unlike many of the traditional seeds kept at the bank.
Traditional seeds often show better resistance to pests and diseases, offering hope to a nation where agriculture largely relies on rainfall rather than irrigation. Agriculture makes up about a third of Kenya’s economy, highlighting its importance.
But Kenya faces broader food security issues. A 2023 report from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization indicates that over a billion people across Africa cannot afford healthy diets, and hunger is an increasing problem.
Recently, some Kenyan farmers experienced significant losses from counterfeit seeds sold by private vendors. This has raised concerns about the seed quality in the country. At the first international seed quality conference in August, Paul Rono, an official from the agriculture ministry, noted that Africa struggles to produce enough quality seeds that adhere to established standards.
Stephen Muchiri, head of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation, stated that the fertility of crops in Kenya has declined. He attributes this to poor seed breeding practices. Many farmers are worried that legislation from 2012, which outlaws seed sharing, has limited their ability to cultivate resilient crops at minimal cost. Sharing seeds has been a traditional practice that helped farmers manage expenses.
While the government argues that the law protects farmers from uncertified seeds, it faces a legal challenge from more than a dozen farmers. They argue that buying new seeds for every planting season is too expensive. The next court hearing is scheduled for March.
One of the farmers involved in the legal case is Francis Ngiri, who promotes indigenous seeds on his five-acre farm in Gilgil, about 70 miles from Nairobi. Ngiri has helped many local farmers who struggle with low yields from hybrid seeds. “Indigenous seeds are hardier and adapt well to our local conditions, even with less rainfall,” he shared.
Ngiri teaches others how to conserve seeds using traditional methods, like storing them in earthen pots or using wood ash to keep pests away. He emphasizes using materials that are locally available and cost-free.
Maximilla Onyura, who grows sorghum in Busia, is an advocate for indigenous crops as a sustainable food security solution. Although she is not part of the legal challenge, she collaborates with Ngiri through the Seed Savers Network. “Instead of supporting farmers who work with indigenous crops, the government is cracking down on seed sharing,” she commented.
Under the current law, seed sharing could lead to a two-year prison term or hefty fines up to $7,700, though no farmer has yet been penalized under this law.
The National Seed Bank does distribute some native seeds to farmers for free, hoping to foster resilience among those who rely on agriculture. Nyamongo suggests that farmers who cannot afford synthetic fertilizers should consider planting traditional seeds. “It’s not backward to use indigenous seeds. They have adapted over time and can thrive in local conditions,” he said.
While he did not comment on the court case regarding seed sharing, he continues to advocate for the benefits of indigenous varieties. Patrick V. Verkooijen, president of the Global Center on Adaptation, highlighted that these traditional crops bring genetic diversity that helps farmers face climate change, pests, and soil problems. However, he noted that these varieties can have challenges, such as lower yields or vulnerabilities to new diseases.
Advocates like Ngiri assert that when grown in their original conditions, indigenous seeds perform well. “They have adapted to our climate and the local pests, making them strong and reliable,” he said.
