At a global level, an increasing proportion of seeds is being produced by a handful of large agricultural industry. As a result, the diversity of traditional and farmer-developed varieties is being lost at an increasing rate. In Niger, the seed sector faces a number of challenges, including access to high-quality seeds suited to local climatic conditions, which meet communities’ expectations in terms of yield and suitability of usage.
Community Seed Banks (CSB) form part of a movement that offers a simple and effective solution, based on community organisation, to enhance the resilience of small-scale farmers.
What is a Community Seed Bank (CSB)?
A CSB is a local initiative run by farmers, which aims at collecting, storing, propagating and exchanging traditional seeds. It works as a collective ‘granary barn’, preserving agricultural biodiversity and varieties suited to local conditions, thereby strengthening food sovereignty and climate resilience.
As part of the CROPS4HD programme, ten seed banks have been set up in 10 villages in the municipalities of Matankari and Dan Kassari to uphold farmers’ right to seed autonomy.
Economic and environmental resilience and social cohesion
In the face of vulnerabilities such as social and climate crises, CSBs offer a solution by increasing food and economic resources, fostering social cohesion and enhancing communities’ resilience.
“Germination rates close to 100%”
The use and conservation of locally adapted varieties in CSBs, together with the inclusion of Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS), strengthen farmers’ resilience in the face of economic and climatic uncertainties. These banks also contribute to preserving and safeguarding a region’s plant genetic resources.
The quality of the seeds is preserved through various storage methods, such as the rihewa.
Testimonials from seed guardians and multiplicaters have reported “germination rates of around 100% for seeds stored in CSBs”, which represents considerable savings in the amount used for sowing. Seeds also bring a significant source of income to farmers, generated by seed sale. In Dankassari region, the 2025 Seed Fair resulted in sale of a total of 4’250 kg NUS seeds. In Matankari region, the fair resulted in the sale of a total of 3’297 kg of NUS. The sales translated into a net benefit of 11’265’000 CFA francs (about 15’500 CHF).
Beyond financial gain
Beyond financial benefits, CSBs foster social cohesion within communities. Seed banks allowed for the establishement of various platforms for exchange between producers, facilitating seeds sharing and knowledge exchange among producers within a community, as well as between CSBs in different communities.
The CSBs provide a framework for solidarity where mutual support is given to the most vulnerable members of the community. At community level, the establishment of the ‘assusu’ solidarity fund, into which each member contributes 50 CFA francs per week, enables members to develop Income-Generating Activities (IGAs). These activitie provide small-scale farmers with additional income. This fund is established, with the unanimous agreement of the CSB members, to cover any potential expenses related to seed banks. It also serves as a fund for the purchase of small packaging materials at the local level. Members may take out personal loans from the fund in accordance with the BSC’s internal regulations.
Testimonial
Aichatou Kahiya is a member of the Gougui seed bank and the mother of five children. At the beginning of the 2024 growing season, she had lost all of her seeds. The seed bank’s management committee then provided her with 2 kg of a variety of bambara groundnut (jaka). At harvest time, she harvested 12 kg. Aichatou Kahiya expressed her satisfaction and gratitude towards the community seed bank. Without the bank, ‘I would have missed the 2024 winter season’, as she would not have been able to buy these seeds on her own.