A lobby group is pushing for inclusion of cultural systems of conserving seeds into law.
Currently, the Seed and Plant Variety Act prohibits farmers from selling seeds they have conserved traditionally.
Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya national coordinator Anne Maina said farmers are the custodians of traditional seeds through established seed banks.
She said it is important to conserve seed for biodiversity.
“We need to diversify and promote farmer-managed seeds. In Kenya, there are challenges with our seed laws. While farmer seeds are recognised and approved for sharing, they cannot be sold. We have been engaging with various policy departments and we are pleased that steps taken,” Maina said.
She spoke during a media engagement forum on bio-cultural conservation in Nairobi.
Currently, there is a review of the access and benefit-sharing regulations in the country.
“The Seed and Plant Variety Act, which prohibits farmers from selling their seeds, requires a thorough review,” Maina said.
BIBA Kenya is a network of 47 organisations dedicated to biodiversity conservation and biosafety.
It is a partner of the Africa Biodiversity Network .
The network is working on a project funded by the Swedish International Development to conserve biocultural diversity in Africa.
The project involves 21 across 14 countries.
Maina said they are keen to promote farmer-managed seed systems and indigenous seeds.
“We have been conducting numerous cultural and seed festivals in the past two years. We have also partnered with the National Museum of Kenya and the Intersectoral Forum on Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology to host national seed fairs and indigenous seed and food culture harvest fairs," she said.
"This year, we will be holding one in October in Kisumu, specifically in Nyando, to promote our seeds.”
African Biodiversity Network general coordinator Fassil Gebeyehu said there is a cultural significance of seeds in African communities.
“Seed in the African community has an element of sacredness that is highly respected. It also fosters a connection among community members, making the understanding and perception of seed crucial,” he said.
Gebeyehu said there is a knowledge gap regarding seed laws in the country, affecting their implementation.
“Those who have preserved seed knowledge for centuries are not consulted. Yet, the enforcement of these laws impacts farmers directly. Therefore, there is a need for more consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including farmers, on seed laws and legislation,” he said.
