Community Seed Fairs: Celebrating Biodiversity and Empowering Farmers in Tharaka
In the fertile lands of Tharaka, Kenya, Community Seed Fairs spur transformative celebrations of agricultural diversity and seed sovereignty. Organized by RIDEP in collaboration with ABN, these fairs showcase indigenous seeds and foster vital knowledge exchange among local farmers. Zachary Makanya, Executive Director of RIDEP, delves into the significance of these fairs as powerful symbols of resilience and hope for the community.
Seed fairs are captivating events that exhibit an array of seeds, grown and selected by local farmers and agricultural extension officers. Such fairs, organized by the Rural Initiative Development Programme (RIDEP), have become pivotal platforms for local farmers to showcase the rich diversity of seeds and celebrate their invaluable role in sustainable food production. These fairs can stand alone or coincide with other significant events, such as cultural or religious gatherings. The farmers who participate in these events compete for recognition under categories like “highest biodiversity” or “most forest products,” encouraging the exchange of knowledge and experiences among farmers.
At these fairs, local farmers demonstrate a deep connection with their seeds, exhibiting passion, expertise, and a willingness to share their wealth of knowledge. They take satisfaction in showcasing the wide variety of indigenous seeds and their diverse uses. From preparing nourishing porridge for weaning babies to brewing traditional beverages, their trust in indigenous seeds is evident, and they are cautious about hybrid seeds which are foreign seeds.
Jane Mutiria, a member of the Kanania Seed Self-Help Group, also among farmers groups working with RIDEP, attests to the resilience of indigenous seeds in the face of climate change. “We are lucky that we still have indigenous seeds in Tharaka. Those relying on hybrid seeds are suffering, with reduced production to almost 30% of the original yields,” she explains.
Seed fairs extend to deeper learning
The significance of seed fairs goes beyond promoting seed sovereignty; they also offer an opportunity for farmers to appreciate their seed and food diversity. Participants gain insights into seed management best practices, seed multiplication, and storage, while sharing and exchanging seeds with fellow farmers. Seed fairs are an important avenue for farmers where farmers teach each other on drought mitigation and recovery strategies in the drylands. Farmers seek drought-tolerant seeds, enhancing community resilience against climate challenges. “Seeds are our inheritance. We must recover our lost seed and maintain them at all costs,” emphasizes Hon Susan Ngugi Mwindu, Tharaka Women Parliamentary Representative.
In a unique intergenerational learning workshop organized by RIDEP and ABN, 20 youth and four elders visited Ntugi forest during a recent seed fair. The elders’ traditional knowledge on the forest’s abundant fruits left the youth marvelling at their rich cultural heritage. Ken Munene, among the farmers working with RIDEP from Karuma village notes, “such exposure excursions with the elders in the forest should be more frequent.”
The benefits of these seed and food fairs are diverse, promote farmer-to-farmer extension, strengthen networks between researchers, farmers, and entrepreneurs. They offer avenues for beneficiary-led advocacy through songs, dances, and poems. The advocacy messages shared at these events highlight the importance of preserving indigenous seeds and exercising seed sovereignty.
“It underlines my ability and right to choose what type of seeds to grow, where to plant them, when to plant them, and how to manage the seeds after a harvest,” explains Marcelino Njeru, a local farmer from Karuma village.
By embracing seed fairs and fostering seed sovereignty, Tharaka’s communities are not just preserving their heritage but also securing their future.
RIDEP is among ABN’s partners collaborating in strengthening resilience among communities in Africa.
