Kenyan Farmers Sue Over Ban on Traditional Seed Sharing

Over 50,000 different types of seed are kept in Kenya’s National Seed Bank. The facility was established in 1988 with the intention of preserving seeds for study and subsequent farm reinstatement. Given that some traditional kinds are disappearing due to climate change, the centre has become even more crucial. It plays a vital role in safeguarding agricultural biodiversity and ensuring food security for future generations.

Some farmers contend that attempts to enhance the nation’s seed system have been impeded by a 2012 regulation that forbids seed sharing. In Kenya, exchanging seeds can result in a fine or two years in prison and over a dozen farmers have challenged the law. Critics argue that such restrictions hinder indigenous farming practices and limit small-scale farmer’s access to diverse and resilient seed varieties.