Lobby groups working with farmers in the seed sector are pushing for a review of Seed and Plant Varieties Act in Kenya.
The groups argue that the current Law as it is now does not give the farmers the right to sell their seeds directly.
Led by Gilgil-based Seed Savers Network Kenya, the groups want the law reviewed to factor in the interest of farmers and their rights in matters seeds sovereignty.
Seed Savers Network Kenya Coordinator Daniel Wanjama notes that the purpose of the review is to integrate and recognize farmer managed seed system in the Act.
According to him, through this there shall be creation of job opportunities at the local level without discrimination.
He pointed out that the review will also help address the challenges of chemicals through the seeds that are imported into the country.
The Seed Savers Network Coordinator notes that a lot of seeds in the country are coming from commercial seeds systems rather than from communities hence interferes with the rights of communities in matters seeds in the country.
He says time is now that the farmers in the seed sector are protected and ensure that their seeds which include the indigenous seeds are valued.
Through the community farmers seed banks, Wanjama believes the farmers can be supported as this will help address the challenges that has been there where Kenya as a country continues to loose the seeds biodiversity.
“The community seed banks play key role in the sector and if supported can help communities through job creation at bottom. The seeds grown at the community are coming from farmers themselves and should be supported through recognition,” he stated.
Wanjama revealed that already a committee is in place constituted by Ministry of Agriculture with aim to come up with a draft that will be subjected to public participation and later submitted to Parliament.
Among the key issues that the lobby groups are pushing for is to allow farmers at community level sell their seeds as well as allow farmers participate in the seeds business through the community seed banks in line with Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda of the Government.
It should be noted that even though the Constitution of Kenya recognizes the rights of farmers to seed ownership, traditional and cultural practices, it does not talk about the right for farmers to sell their seeds.
For this reason, the review seeks to enable farmers sell their seeds through Seed Banks and anchor farmers’ rights in the Act.
This even as research indicates that 80 percent of seeds in the country come for farmers.
The review also seeks to ensure self regulation where management shall be through the Seed Banks who will be reliable incase of any malpractices in the seed sector.
According to Wanjama, self regulation is the way to go adding that the Seed Banks will be tasked to ensure quality and take sanctions against any seed bank that goes against the regulations.
Speaking during a media engagement forum, Wanjama called on journalists to also support the work if the Lobby groups by shaping opinion on matters national posing challenge to the seed sector.
He called out for the need for indigenous seeds to be protected through seed banks run by communities.
“Seed sovereignty is getting a big challenge due to multinational commercial companies taking over unlike India where the government has supported the farmers and their seeds leading to seed sovereignty,” stated Wanjama.
Sentiments echoed by Tabby Munyiri who is the lead communication at Seed Savers Network Kenya.
She urged Journalists to take matters agriculture and moreso push for seed sovereignty serious in their news coverage.
Currently, Seed Savers Network in collaboration with farmers is working towards the same through sensitization of farmers in various counties in the country.
This is through the Seed Fair Mashinani Forums.