Farmers have been urged to take active role in the review of Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (SPVA) that will lead to development of a new bill abd eventually law for the seeds sector.
Already Gilgil-based Seed Savers Network has commenced several workshops towards sensitizing farmers and groups on the same.
Speaking after a four-day workshop for farmers from various counties, Seed Savers Network CEO Daniel Wanjama reiterated the importance of having farmer-oriented policy on seeds.
According to him, the new bill on seeds will go a long way in safeguarding farmers and ensuring the laws are having farmers at the core-centre.
While lauding the Machakos High Court Landmark judgement, he expressed optimism that some of the key recommendations by the court are now being implemented, among them the intergration of farmers in seeds management.
On the new bill that is coming up, Wanjama called for need to ensure farmers are involved in the formulation through public participation.
He urged Members of Parliament to also take the bill with seriousness it deserves.
“We thank the government that it has seen the need to review SPVA and with an aim of coming up with a law that will really be great to farmers as far as seed sector is comcerned,” he said.
Dr. Nyamongo Desterio , a researcher with Genetic Resource Training Institute at Kenya Agricultural and Luvestock Research Organization(KALRO) pointed out the need to ensure preservation of indigenous crops for future generations.
According to him, the process of reviewing the SPVA and developing a new policy on matters seed did not start with the Machakos High Court ruling, but much earlier.
He insisted on the need to ensure seed quality that will ensure high productivity and food security in the country.
“We are working to ensure quality seeds in this country for this is the only way that we can ensure high production and address food security,” he said.
Dr. Martin Oulu, Coordinator Intersectoral Forum on Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology(ISFAA) on his part joined other stakeholders in lauding the government for initiating the SPVA review and integrate indigenous seeds.
According to him, farmer-managed seed system is key component of the draft bill.
“Farmer-managed seed systems supply almost 80 percent of seeds grown in this country,” he said.
Dr. Oulu also commended Seed Savers Network of Kenya for organizing the workshop that he termed key in ensuring farmers at grassroot level are sensitized on the particulars of the draft bill.
Farmers and other stakeholders are well prepared to engage in the upcoming public participation process.
The preparatory workshop convened by Seed Savers Network of Kenya brought together 25 participants from across the country, including farmers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Lulu Laini- a farmer from Taita Taveta who attended the workshop lauded the organizers terming it a clear platform to deepen understanding of the proposed amendments, identify key concerns and priorities, and develop coordinated messages for engagement during public participation.
She vowed to be an ambassador of the message, and urged government to ensure clear public participation.
“We appeal to government to ensure all farmers get the notice on public participation on time so that they can fully give their views,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Mary Akru- a farmer from Turkana who also attended the workshop.
She reiterated the importance of indigenous seeds towards addressing food securit
It should be noted that the SPVA is a critical policy that affects how seeds are accessed, saved, exchanged, sold and protected in Kenya.
Its review presents an important opportunity to ensure that farmers’ rights, agrobiodiversity conservation, and community seed systems are adequately recognized and safeguarded.