Articles
Seeds of change: amaranth and the inclusion of neglected and underutilized species in national seed policies
Article number
1460_5
Pages
41 – 46
Language
English
Abstract
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are a vital component of farmer managed seed systems (FMSS), which remain the backbone of seed access, biodiversity conservation, and food sovereignty for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa.
Despite their critical role in agroecological resilience and local food cultures, NUS and the informal seed systems that sustain them are largely overlooked – or even undermined – by national agricultural policies, research agendas, and regulatory frameworks.
On behalf of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) under the CROPS4HD project, this work explores the urgent need to recognize, protect, and promote NUS within national seed laws, agricultural policies, and food security strategies.
Drawing from advocacy efforts and policy dialogs in Tanzania and Chad, the paper identifies key policy barriers – such as restrictive seed certification systems and lack of legal recognition for community seed practices – and proposes pathways for integrating NUS and FMSS into national frameworks.
It also highlights community-led innovations, such as seed banks, farmer research networks, and participatory cultivar selection, that demonstrate the viability and value of NUS for resilient food systems when farmers are empowered as knowledge holders and seed custodians.
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) serves as a concrete case study to illustrate the potential of NUS when integrated into agroecological systems and supported by enabling policies.
With tolerance to drought, short growth cycle, and potentially high nutritional value, amaranth exemplifies how diversified local food systems based on traditional crops can address climate, nutrition, and sovereignty challenges simultaneously.
African civil society calls for bold policy shifts to create space for NUS and FMSS to thrive – centering farmer rights, indigenous knowledge, and agroecological principles as the foundation of resilient and just food systems.
Despite their critical role in agroecological resilience and local food cultures, NUS and the informal seed systems that sustain them are largely overlooked – or even undermined – by national agricultural policies, research agendas, and regulatory frameworks.
On behalf of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) under the CROPS4HD project, this work explores the urgent need to recognize, protect, and promote NUS within national seed laws, agricultural policies, and food security strategies.
Drawing from advocacy efforts and policy dialogs in Tanzania and Chad, the paper identifies key policy barriers – such as restrictive seed certification systems and lack of legal recognition for community seed practices – and proposes pathways for integrating NUS and FMSS into national frameworks.
It also highlights community-led innovations, such as seed banks, farmer research networks, and participatory cultivar selection, that demonstrate the viability and value of NUS for resilient food systems when farmers are empowered as knowledge holders and seed custodians.
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) serves as a concrete case study to illustrate the potential of NUS when integrated into agroecological systems and supported by enabling policies.
With tolerance to drought, short growth cycle, and potentially high nutritional value, amaranth exemplifies how diversified local food systems based on traditional crops can address climate, nutrition, and sovereignty challenges simultaneously.
African civil society calls for bold policy shifts to create space for NUS and FMSS to thrive – centering farmer rights, indigenous knowledge, and agroecological principles as the foundation of resilient and just food systems.
Authors
N.A. Gueye
Keywords
AFSA, neglected, underutilized, Africa, CROPS4HD
Online Articles (42)