Countries Asked to Withdraw Law That Criminalises Traditional Seed Savers

When traditional seed savers gather at Luanda Market in Vihiga County every Monday and Thursday to sell different varieties of seeds, especially indigenous vegetables, most of them are not aware that they are committing a criminal offence that can land them in jail.

They unknowingly violate Kenya’s Seed and Plant Variety Act, which mandates that all seeds must be certified by the government.

The Act prohibits smallholder farmers from selling or sharing indigenous seeds as well as saving their seeds for the next harvest. Penalties include up to two years in jail or a Sh1 million fine.

Under the Act, all seeds sold or shared must be certified by a government agency, and certified seeds are “those that have undergone laboratory tests and have been determined to be of high quality, true to identity, high in purity and germination capacity, uniformity, can adapt in adverse weather conditions and are free from pests and diseases”.