How Africa’s Youth are Rising as Guardians of the Forgotten Seeds

Deeply ingrained in cultural, spiritual, and pragmatic traditions, African views on seed resilience highlight the significance of seeds as representations of life, continuity, and environmental adaptation.

In the context of agriculture and climate resilience, farming knowledge in East Africa is transmitted from generation to generation through community practices, indigenous knowledge systems, and spiritual tales.

Seed Savers Network in collaboration with African Youth Capacity Building on Seed Sovereignty, marked the International Youth Day 2025, and Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) by organizing a 5-day workshop to highlight the role of young farmers in promoting seed resilience.

Speaking during the press briefing at Seed Savers Network on August 12, 2025 in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Seed Savers Network (SSN) Director, Mr. Daniel Wanjama said that more than 20 countries have been represented across Africa in the workshop for capacity-building initiatives to promote seed sovereignty and resilience, particularly among smallholder farmers.

“We are privileged to host Seed Champions across Africa in Gilgil. This year's theme, ‘Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond’is for promoting seed sovereignty and resilience as ambassadors in our countries,” he said.

Wanjama commended the enthusiasm and ingenuity of young Africans who are organizing to challenge restrictive seed laws and protect local seed. Emphasizing how their support of farmer-managed seed systems and agroecological practices is reviving traditional knowledge, he reiterated that young people are the lifeblood for advancing these efforts.

“By organizing seed fairs and digital campaigns, these young leaders are ensuring that resilient, locally adapted seeds remain accessible, empowering communities to combat food insecurity and climate change,” he said.

Across Africa, a vibrant movement of young people is rising to champion seed preservation and resilience, uniting their voices to safeguard agricultural heritage and food security.

Motivated by the threats of climate change and commercial seed monopolies, these youths are reviving indigenous seed-saving practices, organizing community seed banks, and using digital platforms to share knowledge about resilient, traditional crop varieties.

Awa Gueye, a young Senegalese agribusiness woman who attended the Seed Savers Network workshop, an enthusiastic supporter of seed sustainability, has become a prominent figure in inspiring African youth to support seed sovereignty as a cause that needs to be carried forward throughout generations.

She underscored the pressing need of conserving native seed varieties in order to guarantee food security and climate change resilience.

"Our generation must carry forward the wisdom of our elders, who safeguarded these seeds through centuries of care," she said,

Awa envisions a movement where youth not only inherit but also enhance the legacy of sustainable agriculture, ensuring that resilient seeds remain a cornerstone of Senegal’s food systems for future generations.

Ugandan young agripreneur Lucy Akuro, emphasizes the vital role of indigenous seeds in sustaining food security and climate resilience. She inspires young Ugandans to preserve biodiversity, blending ancestral wisdom with modern agroecological practices to ensure resilient food systems for future generations.

“Our grandparents saved seeds that thrived through tough seasons, and we must pass this knowledge to our youth to protect our food sovereignty,” she urged.

Seed Savers Network (SSN) has established 112 community seed banks across Kenya, conserving over 3,000 traditional seed varieties.