How Innovation Bundles are Reclaiming Kenya’s Seed Sovereignty

The transformation of agricultural landscapes requires more than just better crops; it requires a fundamental shift in policy, social structures, and technology. The Multifunctional Landscapes Program is leading this change through "innovation bundles"—integrated solutions that harmonize environmental health with human development.

In Nyakach, Kisumu County, the Kabudi-Agoro Community Seed Bank has become a global beacon for this approach, recently achieving a landmark legal victory that turns once-"illegal" traditional practices into a viable economic future.

The policy breakthrough: ending the fear of seed saving

For decades, small-scale farmers in Kenya lived under the shadow of the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act, which criminalized the saving, exchange, and sale of traditional, uncertified seeds. On 27 November 2024, a landmark High Court ruling declared sections of this law unconstitutional, affirming that farmer-managed seed systems are a protected right.

Before this ruling, farmers like Evalyne Adhiambo, Chairlady of the Kabudi-Agoro Seed Bank, faced potential prison terms of up to two years for sharing indigenous seeds. Now, the group is transitioning from "hide-and-seek" exchanges to a formalized business model.

Social innovation: the women-led seed bank model

The Kabudi-Agoro Seed Bank is a prime example of a socio-ecological innovation within the MFL framework. Launched in 2021 with support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the bank is owned by 25 women shareholders and serves a network of 108 community members. To ensure easy access for those without cash, the group operates a loaning system where a farmer receives 1kg of seed and returns 2kg after harvest. This practice not only supports the community but also acts as a natural "seed multiplication" strategy.

Technological innovation: biodiversity as a climate shield

The bank conserves a massive library of climate-resilient, indigenous crops that are naturally adapted to the "vagaries of climate" in Western Kenya. Their inventory includes 69 varieties of indigenous beans, 18 sorghum varieties, and 15 types of traditional leafy vegetables.

Innovation goes beyond the seed. The group produces organic bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers and processes grains into high-value composite flours. This includes specialized porridges for babies and adults, including a unique variety designed to address low libido in both men and women.

Scaling the Vision: The MFL 2030 Strategy

The success in Nyakach is a microcosm of the MLP’s global mission. By 2030, the program aims to scale these "Living Landscapes" to 15 countries, reaching 2 million farmers.

• Quality assurance: While the government previously argued that traditional seeds were of "low quality," the MLP ensures rigorous standards. Farmers are trained by experts to produce high-quality, disease-free seeds that meet international standards, even if a formal legal certification framework is still being finalized in Kenya.
• Economic return: Restoring land ecosystems through these multifunctional approaches could generate an annual return of up to US$140 trillion globally.

The Kabudi-Agoro Seed Bank proves that when policy barriers are removed and community-led social innovations are supported by technical expertise, degraded landscapes can thrive. As Carlo Fadda of the Alliance notes, this is a "major step forward" for food sovereignty. By bundling legal advocacy with seed conservation and value addition, the Multifunctional Landscapes Program is ensuring that the future of farming is both nature-positive and economically resilient.

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The Standard: Seed-sharing ban ends, bringing new dawn for women's group

YouTube: African Seed Savers Are Not Criminals

Authors: Ojanji, Wandera and Masso, Cargele