Article by: Faith Gikunda, ISFAA Communications

On the 9^th and 10^th of October 2024, Nyando, Kisumu, will become the center of attention for agri-food actors from Kenya and beyond. They will converge at the Nyando Community Seed Bank for the 3rd Indigenous Seeds, Culture, and Food Harvest Fair. This year’s event is a vibrant celebration of Kenya’s agricultural and cultural heritage, highlighting the essential role indigenous seeds play in food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices. The theme, “Realizing the Right to Food through Indigenous Seeds, Food, and Culture,” aligns with the 2024 World Food Day theme, “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”

The Right to Food: A Fundamental Human Right

The right to food is not just about access to nourishment but is recognized as a fundamental human right. It is protected internationally under Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which Kenya ratified in 1972. In Kenya, the 2010 Constitution enshrines this right under Article 43(1)(c), stating that every person has the right to be free from hunger and access adequate food of acceptable quality. Article 53(1)(c) goes further, emphasizing children’s rights to basic nutrition, shelter, and healthcare.

Indigenous Seeds and Their Role in Food Security

The fair underscores the crucial connection between indigenous seeds, cultural practices, and the right to food. In Kenya, smallholder farmers—responsible for over 70% of the country’s agricultural output—rely heavily on indigenous seeds, with Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) providing 80–100% of their planting materials. These seeds contribute to food security and preserve Kenya’s rich agrobiodiversity, keeping cultural traditions alive and fostering resilient agricultural practices.

A Platform for Food Sovereignty and Cultural Exchange

The National Indigenous Seeds, Culture, and Food Harvest Fair is more than an exhibition. It is a platform for farmers, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and the private sector to discuss the future of food sovereignty in Kenya. The event will feature exhibitions of indigenous seeds and plants, hands-on agroecological farming demonstrations, and cultural performances like song, dance, and storytelling, celebrating Kenya’s diverse culinary traditions. These traditions not only contribute to nutrition and resilience but also support the right to food.

Advocating for Farmers’ Rights to Save, Share, and Exchange Seeds

Farmers attending the fair will connect with community members, development partners, and policymakers, celebrating Kenya’s rich heritage of indigenous seeds and traditional foods. The event is a powerful platform for advocating farmers’ rights to save, share, and exchange seeds, which are essential for promoting food sovereignty and securing farmers’ livelihoods.

The Role of ISFAA in Promoting Agroecology and Indigenous Seeds

The Inter-Sectoral Forum on Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology (ISFAA), alongside partners like the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the National Museums of Kenya, Biovision Africa Trust, and Greenpeace Africa, plays a key role in organizing the fair. ISFAA promotes agroecology, a farming system that emphasizes working with nature and preserving biodiversity. Indigenous seeds, which are adapted to local conditions, play a crucial role in agroecology by offering resilience against climate change, pests, and diseases, while requiring fewer chemical inputs.Through these efforts, ISFAA and its partners continue to champion the cause of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that honor Kenya’s rich agrobiodiversity while supporting the rights of smallholder farmers and promoting food security for all.

Preserving Agrobiodiversity through Indigenous Seeds

Agrobiodiversity—the variety and variability of plants, animals, and microorganisms used for food and agriculture—underpins food security and nutrition. Indigenous seeds are central to this biodiversity, providing unique nutritional benefits and ensuring that farming systems remain resilient and diverse. By preserving indigenous seeds, we protect both biodiversity and cultural traditions linked to their cultivation, harvest, and preparation.Agroecology and agrobiodiversity are intrinsically linked with the use of indigenous seeds and traditional foods. Agroecology emphasizes farming practices that work with nature, preserving ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity. Indigenous seeds, maintained through Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS), are vital to these approaches because they are often better adapted to local conditions, are resistant to pests and diseases, and require fewer chemical inputs.

Agrobiodiversity—the variety and variability of plants, animals, and microorganisms used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture—supports ecosystems and ensures that food systems are more resilient to climate change and other challenges. Indigenous seeds contribute significantly to this diversity, which helps maintain ecosystem services, such as pollination, soil fertility, and water regulation, that are crucial for food production.

The Importance of Seed Banks in Safeguarding Genetic Diversity

The preservation of indigenous seeds is vital for ensuring future food security and maintaining genetic diversity. Seed banks like the Nyando Community Seed Bank, where this year’s fair will take place, play a crucial role in preserving genetic diversity. As commercial seed varieties dominate, many indigenous varieties are at risk of extinction. Seed banks safeguard these invaluable resources for future generations, empowering farmers with a wide array of seeds suited to local conditions. These community seed banks also foster seed exchange and knowledge-sharing among farmers, strengthening local food systems. Seed banks also play a key role in enhancing seed sovereignty, empowering farmers to control their seeds and agricultural practices.

A Call for Policies Supporting Indigenous KnowledgeIn a world increasingly dominated by industrial agriculture, the conservation of indigenous seeds and promotion of agroecological practices are more important than ever. The Indigenous Seeds, Culture, and Food Harvest Fair, in collaboration with ISFAA and its partners, will continue advocating for policies that protect indigenous knowledge. These policies are vital for ensuring that smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Kenya’s agriculture, have the resources and support to thrive in a changing world.

Empowering Farmers to Ensure the Right to Food

Realizing the right to food, as guaranteed by both international and Kenyan law, requires empowering smallholder farmers. Protecting and preserving indigenous seeds is key to safeguarding Kenya’s cultural heritage, ensuring food security, and building resilience in the face of climate change. The Indigenous Seeds, Culture, and Food Harvest Fair will remain a powerful platform for advocating food sovereignty and highlighting the importance of agroecology and agrobiodiversity.

Join Us in Nyando

Join us in Nyando, Kisumu on the 9^th and 10^th of October 2024 for a transformative event celebrating, preserving, and promoting the indigenous seeds and cultural practices that form the foundation of a sustainable, inclusive, and food-secure future.