From the Field Celebrating Our Seeds, Food, and Culture: Nyando Community Seed bank hosts the 3rd National Indigenous Seed and Food Fair in Kenya
The national indigenous seed and food fair was hosted by Nyando community seed bank in Nyakach Kisumu county, which is one the seedbanks established by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT to commemorate Kenya's 3rd National Indigenous seed, culture and food fair. the event brought together about 900 farmers from 73 community seedbanks and farmer groups in Kenya all conserving and using indigenous and local foods including Neglected and Underutilized crops.
By: Gloria Otieno and Rachel Kibui
Indigenous seeds often passed down through generations, are uniquely adapted to local environmental conditions. They are more resilient to climate extremes, pests, and diseases than commercial seed varieties, making them crucial in times of changing climate and agricultural uncertainty. By preserving indigenous seeds, communities protect their biodiversity and safeguard their right to food. Local seed systems and community seed banks allow farmers to conserve and maintain control over their food production. This ensures that communities have access to diverse, nutrient-rich crops, providing a stable food supply and helping them to cope with shocks.
Some of the seeds which were showcased at the food harvest and seed fair. Photo Credit: Rachel Kibui
This year on October 9th and 10th, Nyando community seed bank (established in 2018 by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT under the Benefit sharing Fund of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources) hosted the 3rd National Indigenous Seeds, Culture and Food Fair whose theme was “Realizing the Right to Food through Indigenous Seeds food and Culture”. The event was co-organized in collaboration with partners from the Inter Sectoral Forum on Agro-biodiversity and Agro-ecology (ISFAA) and the county government with co-funding from the CGIAR’s Nature Positive Initiative, CGIAR Initiative on Genebanks, the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, and the Benefit sharing Fund of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The event brought together over 900 farmers from 73 community seedbanks in Kenya covering all about counties in Kenya. The farmers not only showcased the indigenous genetic diversity but also associated indigenous food and related indigenous knowledge and cultural aspects of food processing and food products including food with medicinal value.
Photo Credit: Rachel Kibui
Indigenous seed systems are vital for healthy ecosystems
Dr. Carlo Fadda enjoys traditional porridge during the seedfair. Photo Credit: Rachel Kibui
During the seed fair, Dr. Carlo Fadda, the Lead and Director of the Nature Positive Initiative, emphasized the critical importance of agro-biodiversity for sustainable agricultural production. He highlighted that maintaining crop diversity in situ—in their natural habitats or traditional farming systems—ensures that these crops continue to adapt to local environmental conditions. This adaptive process fosters resilience and strengthens traits that evolve through natural breeding, making them better suited to withstand climate variability, pests, and diseases. Dr. Fadda stressed that this evolutionary breeding, driven by agro-biodiversity, is vital for maintaining the health of ecosystems and securing long-term food security. Encouraging the cultivation and conservation of diverse crop varieties enables farmers to benefit from a range of traits, from drought tolerance to enhanced nutrition, while reducing reliance on a narrow set of commercial crops.
Indigenous food systems key to a stronger healthier population
The importance of agro-biodiversity for nutrition was further emphasized by other speakers during the seed fair. They highlighted that indigenous seeds play a crucial role in ensuring the availability of diverse and nutritious food options that contribute to healthier diets. By preserving and promoting the cultivation of these traditional crops, communities can access a wide range of essential nutrients. Indigenous seeds offer not only food security but also nutrition security, as many of these crops are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients. Unlike monocultures, which limit dietary diversity, the use of diverse indigenous crops fosters a more balanced and nutrient-dense food system, essential for combating malnutrition and improving public health.
Farmers had a great opportunity to share and exchange seeds, foods and knowledge. Photo Credit: Rachel Kibui
Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and culture
The seed fair also highlighted the importance of cultural preservation, as it fosters a sense of identity and continuity within communities. Many agreed that events like these not only highlight the importance of indigenous seeds, foods, and farming traditions, encouraging younger generations to embrace and uphold these practices. By integrating indigenous knowledge into modern agricultural systems, we not only safeguard biodiversity but also empower communities to sustain their livelihoods in harmony with the environment.
Farmer groups that excelled in various categories were awarded, motivating others to embrace diversity and indigenous farming practices. Kabudi Agoro Community Seedbank, (established in 2021 by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT under the Benefit Sharing Fund of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources) emerged as the overall winner. Seed Savers Network took second place while Nyando Community Seedbank secured third place in the same category. Nyando Community Seedbank won first place in the Innovations category, followed by Endorois Women Group and Crepp Farmers. Under the Value Addition category, Kabudi Agoro once again took first place, with Nyando Community Seedbank coming in second, and Sinyati Women Group placing third. In the Diversity category, Seed Savers Network claimed first place, with Kabudi Agoro in second, and Jitegemee Women Group in third. Under the Inclusivity category, Endorois Women Group ranked first, followed by Kabudi Agoro in second and Development in Gardening (DIA) in third.
In conclusion, Indigenous seed and food fairs have emerged as vital platforms for promoting agricultural biodiversity, cultural heritage, and food sovereignty. This event provided a space for farmers to exchange seeds, showcase traditional foods, and share knowledge on indigenous farming practices in line with the country’s obligations under article 9 of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Moving forward, future celebrations will endeavor to encourage and incentivize youth participation to ensure indigenous knowledge is passed down generations.
The Team
Carlo Fadda
Director, Agrobiodiversity
