Sowing Justice: Reclaiming Indigenous Seed Sovereignty

Project overview

This project focused on reviewing existing literature, development reports, policy frameworks, and stakeholder perspectives around indigenous seed sovereignty in Tanzania. The desk review explored how communities preserve, share, grow, and control their own seeds, while identifying threats caused by restrictive seed laws, industrial agriculture, climate pressures, and corporate control of seed systems.

Challenge

Smallholder farmers and local communities face increasing pressure from changing agricultural systems, restrictive seed regulations, climate change, and commercial seed dependency. These challenges affect their ability to preserve indigenous seeds, protect traditional knowledge, maintain biodiversity, and secure long-term food sovereignty.

Approach

• Conducted an extensive desk review
• Reviewed national and regional seed policy frameworks
• Analyzed existing reports, research papers, and stakeholder publications
• Identified key challenges affecting indigenous seed systems
• Assessed the relationship between seed sovereignty, food security, climate resilience, and farmer independence
• Synthesized findings into clear insights and recommendations

Key deliverables

• Comprehensive Desk Review Report
• Policy Analysis
• Evidence Synthesis
• Stakeholder Mapping
• Strategic Recommendations
• Research Summary

Outcomes & impact

• Produced a structured evidence base for decision-making
• Highlighted policy and implementation gaps
• Identified opportunities to strengthen indigenous seed systems
• Supported advocacy around farmer rights, seed ownership, and sustainable agriculture
• Contributed research insights for Restless Development’s seed sovereignty initiative

Capabilities