The outcomes and impact of community seed banks: Findings from Kenya and Uganda

To assess the outcomes and impact of the community seed bank work by the Alliance in East Africa, in the second half of 2023, we carried out a participatory evaluation study of 3 community seed banks in Kenya and 4 in Uganda, of the 12 that the Alliance established in both countries (4 in Kenya, 8 in Uganda). The study had two complimentary parts: 1) the community seed bank by numbers (# of crops and varieties conserved, # of farmer beneficiaries, seed sales, other sales), and 2) the community seed bank by outcomes, covering 5 areas (seeds, agriculture, livelihood, social organization and empowerment, and security and resilience).

Methodology: The study had two complimentary parts: 1) the community seed bank by numbers (# of crops and varieties conserved, # of farmer beneficiaries, seed sales, other sales) for which data were collected from records, and the community seed bank registers, and 2) the community seed bank by outcomes, covering 5 areas (seeds, agriculture, livelihood, social organization and empowerment, and security and resilience) for which data were collected through a focus group discussion based on a survey.