Latest Seed Sovereignty Resources

Seed laws often overlook the vital role of farmer-managed seed systems (FMSS), sidelining smallholder farmers and their locally adapted varieties, which don’t meet formal criteria. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the ACB for smallholder farmers in Africa. The materials are available in several languages and cover a range […]

DUS stands for Distinct, Uniform and Stable. The DUS criteria aims to supply industrial-scale commercial farming systems while smallholder farmers plant seed that is not distinct, uniform or stable. This third factsheet gives more information on this system and the potential impact on smallholder farmers. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the […]

The quality declared seed (QDS) system is part of the formal seed system and also controls seed quality and purity. The QDS has several benefits, including the system being a good employment opportunity for farmers who produce improved seed. It does, however have drawbacks such as the limited access to basic seed for seed multiplication. […]

Seed laws were developed by governments and industry and are used as instruments to replace and undermine the farmer-managed seed system. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the ACB for smallholder farmers in Africa. The materials are available in several languages and cover a range of topics dealing with […]

This final factsheet in our series gives an outline of the ARIPO PVP Protocol and its implications. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili To read all the factsheets in this series, click here. If you’re new to Genetically Modified (GM), click here to download and read some of the fact sheets we’ve […]

In the eighth factsheet in the series you can read about plant breeders’ rights, farmers’ right and UPOV 1991. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili For the ninth factsheet click here.

In this factsheet you can read about the World Trade Organisation and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili Read the next factsheet in the series, here.

This factsheet unpacks the theft of Turkey’s purple carrot as an example of biopiracy. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili Click here for the next factsheet in the series.

The sixth factsheet in this series looks at how women are the custodians of seed system and play a central role in ensuring food security. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili | Sotho | Zulu For the next factsheet in this series, click here.

The fifth factsheet in this series look at what it means for a farmer to be seed sovereign. For the sixth factsheet in the series, click here.

This fourth factsheet in the series about Farmer Seed Systems looks at seeds from the commercial sector and its place in the seed system. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili To read the next factsheet, click here.

The third factsheet in this series looks at the legal protection given to a breeder who’s discovered a new plant variety. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili | Sotho | Zulu Click here for the next factsheet.