Climate crisis: Kenyan farmers advocate for seed distribution regulations
A smallholder farmer from Kirinyaga County in Kenya, remembers how his farm flourished with a variety of food crops. Grateful to traditional seed banks, native seeds were always available and plentiful. “No one told me which seeds to plant, and no one controlled which seeds I could give, buy or trade,” he recalls. “That freedom is gone now, it’s very sad.”
The farmer believes that the trade in seeds devalued indigenous agriculture, turning the seed trade into a profitable business for the wealthy, while the lives of the poor were difficult. small farmers..
“In Kenya, inflicting seed laws prevent farmers from storing and distributing their seeds – a power that has kept agricultural life alive for generations,” said a farmer, an activist.
Kenya’s Seeds and Varieties Act warns the sale of seeds that are not certified and do not include indigenous varieties. Those caught selling illegal seeds will be fined up to Ksh. 1 million or imprisonment for two years..
“The Northern World’s agricultural subsidies and trade restrictions, which were implemented in the 1960’s, have led to Africa losing its food sovereignty,” Sources reports. “We have neglected staple foods such as wheat, maize, barley and rice which are essential to our diet, we have shifted our focus to produce cash crops such as coffee, tea , tobacco, cocoa not forgetting fruits.
“Truly and interestingly, Africa produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce.
Policies need to change so that Kenyans do not starve from all dimensions, says a concerned farmer. (All regions) By reintroducing native crops that are better suited to our climate, we can reduce our reliance on artificial fertilizers, pesticides and intensive irrigation systems.”
Kenya’s part in the global hunger crisis
According to the UN, Kenyans are among the more than 700 million people facing hunger around the world. World Food Day, held annually, aims to celebrate hunger and promote healthy eating. This year’s motto is “food for a healthy life and a healthy future”.
Farmers call to reclaim the right to store, share and trade indigenous seeds goes beyond agriculture – it is an act of reclaiming the Kenya’s food sovereignty and ensuring a sustainable future..
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