Semences en Afrique (1/3) : un secteur vital pour la sécurité alimentaire du continent

In the face of climate change and pressures on ecosystems, seeds across the world play a central role in achieving food sovereignty. FARM invited Million Belay, General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), to speak about the importance of the sector in the African context.

• AFSA in brief: This pan-African coalition aims to promote the adoption of agroecological approaches for the development of sustainable food systems. Key actions include advocacy and political engagement. It also offers training and capacity building programs for farmers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders on agroecological farming practices, seed conservation techniques, and sustainable natural resource management. It also facilitates the establishment of knowledge-sharing platforms and networks to promote best practices and experiences across Africa.

Seeds and seed production systems play a vital role in food security and sovereignty. How do you see their importance in the African context?

Seeds and seed systems are crucial in the African context for several reasons. First, on a social level, seeds are the basis of the food and cultural traditions of many African communities. Traditional and locally adapted seed varieties often have cultural and spiritual significance. They contribute to community resilience, local food security, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Second, on the economic front, access to quality seeds and diverse seed varieties is essential for the livelihoods and economic stability of smallholder farmers. Farmers can reduce input costs, increase yields, and improve market opportunities by using seeds adapted to local conditions.

Let's also remember that, agronomically, locally adapted seeds are better suited to the diverse agroecological conditions found in Africa. They have evolved and adapted over generations to resist pests, diseases, and climatic variations, making them more resilient and reliable for farmers. Finally, with the effects of climate change, such as increased droughts and extreme weather events, the diversity of seed varieties is becoming vital for adaptation and resilience. Local seeds often possess traits such as drought tolerance or resistance to pests and diseases, which helps farmers cope with changing climatic conditions.

Despite your initiatives, many farmers on the continent lack access to quality seeds. What are the reasons for this? What obstacles need to be overcome and what actions need to be taken?

Several factors contribute to limited access to quality seeds for African farmers. First, seed systems in Africa are weak. Inadequate infrastructure, limited public investment, and weak regulatory frameworks often hamper the development and operation of robust seed systems. Support for seed production, distribution, and quality control is insufficient, and this can lead to a lack of access to quality seeds for producers.

Additionally, in some cases, seed policies and regulations may prioritize commercial seed systems or restrict farmers' rights to save, exchange, and sell their own seeds. This can limit farmers' options and hamper the availability of diverse and locally adapted seeds.

Second, the predominance of large-scale seed companies that focus on hybrid or genetically modified seeds can limit the availability and accessibility of traditional and locally adapted seed varieties. Smallholder farmers may face difficulties accessing these commercial seeds due to their cost, availability, or unsuitability for local conditions.

To address the challenges farmers face in accessing quality seeds, several actions can be taken. First, this involves strengthening local seed systems through support and investment, particularly in community seed banks, farmer-managed seed networks, and participatory plant breeding programs. This can improve farmers' access to diverse and locally adapted seeds.

Policy advocacy is also an action AFSA implements to promote policy reforms that protect farmers' rights, promote seed sovereignty, and ensure equitable access to quality seeds. This includes advocating for seed laws that recognize and support the diverse seed systems found in Africa.

Finally, training and technical support for farmers is essential. This includes seed conservation and multiplication techniques, which can enable them to preserve and multiply locally adapted seed varieties. It is also crucial to strengthen the capacity of farmers' organizations and community institutions to manage seed banks and seed systems.

Through several projects such as ESAFF Uganda, you have developed community seed banks to preserve local varieties and provide farmers with access to an alternative source of income. How do these banks work? Is this model replicable on a large scale?

Community seed banks, such as those developed through projects like ESAFF (Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers' Forum) in Uganda can serve as effective models for preserving local seed varieties and providing farmers with alternative income sources. These community banks collect and store diverse seed varieties adapted to local agroecological conditions. They facilitate their exchange and distribution.

These seeds are carefully managed, documented, and made available to farmers. Farmers can borrow seeds from the bank during planting seasons and return a larger quantity after harvest. This system promotes seed sharing and strengthens local seed systems.

In addition to exchange, these community banks can engage in income-generating activities, such as selling surplus seeds, providing training on seed production and quality, or offering services related to seed multiplication.

This project is being conducted in Uganda could be replicated and replicated elsewhere on the continent and on a large scale. This depends on various factors, including community engagement, institutional support, and the adoption of favorable policies for these schemes. Collaboration between farmers' organizations, civil society, and governments can help scale up successful models and adapt them to different contexts.

How can private sector actors in Africa work with you to preserve the continent's seed heritage?

Private sector actors in Africa can work with organizations like AFSA to contribute to the preservation of the continent's seed heritage in several ways. They can support seed diversity by investing in research and development efforts to diversify seed options, including traditional and locally adapted varieties. They can collaborate with farmers and local communities to identify and promote seed varieties. They also play an important role in seed conservation.

Private companies can partner with community seed banks and support their efforts to conserve local seed varieties. This may include financial contributions, technical assistance, or capacity-building initiatives.

Private sector actors can participate in sector development by adopting business practices that prioritize equitable and sustainable seed systems, including fair trade practices, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and support for the rights of smallholder farmers to save and exchange seeds.

Collaboration between private sector actors and organizations like AFSA must be based on shared values, transparency and mutual benefits in order to preserve Africa's seed heritage while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.