In Kenya, a law passed in 2012 criminalises farmers for saving, sharing, exchanging, or selling unregistered seeds. This law has been challenged by smallholder farmers who argue that it hinders their ability to share seeds and maintain self-sufficiency. The case is set for a hearing in July 2024.
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), funded by the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations, has influenced African governments’ agricultural policies, promoting commercial seed systems controlled by multinational corporations. This has led to the loss of traditional seed varieties and increased dependency on corporate seeds.
Similar issues have been observed in Costa Rica and Brazil, where seed laws have marginalised indigenous seeds and restricted farmers’ ability to use their own seeds.
The privatisation of seeds and the control exerted by corporations threaten the survival of communities and their traditions.
The World Bank has also played a role in promoting industrial agriculture and undermining small-scale farmers’ seed systems. To address these issues, there is a need to prioritise small-scale farmers, agroecology, and public investment in farmers’ seed systems.
✤ Continue Reading…
https://off-guardian.org/2024/07/11/war-on-farmers-world-bank-sowing-seed-colonialism-in-africa/
✤ Website: freedomalliancesa.org