The webinar hosted by the Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and AgriCord brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss innovative seed initiatives in Africa. Focused on Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) and Community-Based Seed Systems (CBSS), the event explored best practices, shared valuable insights, and identified opportunities for collaboration to support sustainable seed production, quality, and distribution across the continent.
Africa’s agricultural landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with an increasing focus on sustainable farming practices and the effective management of seed systems. Among the approaches gaining prominence are FMSS and CBSS, which are vital for improving food security, enhancing biodiversity, and driving local economies. What role can farmers’ organizations (FOs) play in ensuring the success of these models?
Farmer-Managed Seed Systems: Backbone of Smallholder Agriculture
Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) form the backbone of agricultural activities for countless smallholder farmers in Africa. These systems rely on informal seed exchange mechanisms, where farmers save seeds from their harvests, share them within communities, or purchase them from local markets. While these systems have sustained agricultural communities for generations, challenges persist regarding seed quality and access to improved varieties.
Despite these challenges, FMSS significantly contribute to agricultural biodiversity and resilient farming by promoting the use of local and indigenous seed varieties. However, they often lack support from national governments and research institutions, limiting their potential impact.
The Emergence of Community-Based Seed Systems
To address the limitations of FMSS, Community-Based Seed Systems (CBSS) have emerged as a hybrid model combining elements of formal and informal seed systems. CBSS integrates the benefits of improved seed varieties while maintaining local knowledge and practices. This approach ensures farmers can access certified seeds while retaining flexibility in seed production and distribution. A key feature of CBSS is the involvement of farmers’ organizations (FOs), which help produce, distribute, and market certified seeds. These groups receive technical support and access to foundational seeds, ensuring the delivery of high-quality seeds to their communities.
Farmers’ Organizations: Champions of Seed Systems
Organizations like PAFO and AgriCord play a crucial role in promoting and supporting FMSS and CBSS. Through collaborative initiatives such as the webinar, they provide platforms to share best practices, address challenges, and explore opportunities to strengthen seed systems. One of their primary goals is to empower farmers’ organizations to lead in seed production and management, ensuring that supportive policies and mechanisms are in place to enhance these systems.
The webinar showcased successful practices from countries like Mali and Rwanda, where farmers’ organizations are making significant strides in certified seed production. It also highlighted how policy frameworks can better support these initiatives, ensuring farmers have access to the seeds they need to thrive.
The webinar showcased successful practices from countries like Mali and Rwanda, where farmers’ organizations are making significant strides in certified seed production. It also highlighted how policy frameworks can better support these initiatives, ensuring farmers have access to the seeds they need to thrive.
FMSS and CBSS are essential to the future of sustainable agriculture in Africa. Supporting these systems and strengthening the role of farmers’ organizations can improve seed quality, enhance food security, and promote resilient agricultural practices. Collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, development agencies, and farmers’ organizations, will be crucial for advancing these initiatives and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.
