Latest Resources
13 March 2019
Experiences of FISP: Farm Input Subsidy Programmes in Africa
In August 2018, the Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) and the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) hosted a speak-out for SADC smallholder farmers in Windhoek, Namibia, on Farm Input Subsidy Programmes (FISPs). FISPs are government agricultural programmes that promote the use of Green Revolution inputs produced by multinational corporations. Farmers were not properly consulted about their […]
11 March 2019
PRESS RELEASE: East African Farmer & Civil Society Organisations Criticise EAC Seed Bill – d...
Arusha, Tanzania, 11th March 2019 We, East African farmer and civil society organisations, met in Arusha on 5th – 6th March 2019, to deliberate on the East African Community (EAC) Seed and Plant Varieties Bill 2018 and its implications for smallholder farmers and their seed systems. The rationale given for the Bill is that this […]
5 March 2019
WHY FARMERS FIND FISP PROBLEMATIC (Part 1 of 4 videos)
In August 2018, The Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) and the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) hosted a speak-out with SADC smallholder farmers in Windhoek, Namibia, on Farm Input Subsidy Programmes (FISPs). FISPs are government agricultural programmes to promote the use of Green Revolution inputs (hybrid seed, synthetic fertilizer and agro-chemicals) produced by multinational corporations. WHY […]
8 September 2018
The Arusha Protocol and Regulations: Institutionalising UPOV 1991 in African seed systems and laws
In the recently published discussion document by the African Centre for Biodiversity titled, The Arusha Protocol and Regulations: Institutionalising UPOV 1991 in African seed systems & laws, authors Linzi Lewis and Mariam Mayet attempt to provide an updated, and holistic critique of the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants read together […]
23 February 2018
Face to Face: African CSOs confront ARIPO, SADC over Draconian Harmonised Seed Laws
The ACB has the pleasure of sharing with you a short 5-minute video of the Southern African seed law and seed sovereignty dialogue, Face to Face: African CSOs confront ARIPO, SADC over Draconian Harmonised Seed Laws, co-hosted by the ACB in partnership with PELUM-Zimbabwe, which took place in Harare, Zimbabwe, 28-30th June 2017. Please watch […]
6 July 2017
Towards socially just and ecologically sustainable seed policies for Africa: Farmers, CSOs meet i...
Seed policy in sub-Saharan Africa is developing and changing fast, as the seed industry continues to expand its reach. A huge amount of energy and resources are being directed at harmonising seed and intellectual property legislation at the regional level through regional economic communities. Harmonised regional seed laws influence the shaping of national seed legislation, […]
18 May 2017
FISPs Factsheets: Transitioning out of FISPs
The final factsheet in this series looks at how FISPs should be phased out and replaced with new approaches with long term benefits. Chichewa | English | Nyanja | Portuguese | Sesotho | Setswana | Shona | Siswati | Swahili | Xhosa To read and download all the factsheets in this series, click here.
18 May 2017
FISPs Factsheets: FISPs promote small-scale farmer dependency
The sixth factsheet in this series looks at how the FISPs have resulted in high levels of farmer dependency across Southern Africa. Chichewa | English | Nyanja | Portuguese | Sesotho | Setswana | Shona | Siswati | Swahili | Xhosa For the final factsheet in this series, click here.
18 May 2017
FISPs Factsheets: FISPs and political patronage
The fifth factsheet in this series looks at how these Farm Input Subsidy Programmes are being used to gain political patronage. Chichewa | English | Nyanja | Portuguese | Sesotho | Setswana | Shona | Siswati | Swahili | Xhosa For the next factsheet in the series, click here.
18 May 2017
FISPs Factsheets: The misuse of public funds
Farm input subsidy programmes (FISPs) play a central role in financing and delivering Green Revolution technologies to small-scale farmers in Africa. ACB developed these easy to read factsheets that explain what farm input subsidy programs are and how they operate. The fourth factsheet in the series looks at on the downfalls of the programmes: the […]