What if the crops often overlooked today could help build the resilient food systems of tomorrow? On October 1rst, 2026, more than 110 participants from over 14 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia gathered online to celebrate the international launch of AgrEcoNUS+, a programme that aims at making Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), a driverContinue reading “AgrEcoNUS+ Officially Launched: Scaling Up Neglected and Underutilized Species and Agroecological Transition Across Africa”
Category Archives: General
First In-Person Knowledge Exchange Workshop for CROPS4HD
The first in-person CROPS4HD knowlege exchange workshop took place in N’Djamena, Chad, at the beginning of June 2026. It gathered more than 15 participants from Niger, Chad, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, India and Switzerland to discuss the strategies to bridge NUS and AE production and consumption.
The N’Djamena Declaration: A Landmark Declaration for Farmers’ Rights and Seed Sovereignty
The 4th Pan African Conference on Seed Governance has taken place in June, 2-4th in N’Djamena, Chad. The outcome of the conference, the N’Djamena Declaration, strenghtens the importance of Farmer-Managed Seed Systems and the need for further recognition of these systems towards african food sovereignty.
Local Farmers’ Seed Banks: a tool for community resilience in Niger
Community Seed Banks play an important social, environmental and economical role in rural Niger.
Suruchi Barik: A Guardian of Seed Culture and Ecology
Discover the life of Suruchi Barik, a guardian of seed culture and agroecological practices, prominent figure in Padampur and reknown for her leading role in agroecological farming.
Testimonials: agroecological innovations in India
The following testimonials highlight how farmers from the CROPS4HD project have rediscovered the value of locally available materials. The results are visible in healthier crops, improved resilience to weather fluctuations, and noticeable gains in productivity. Together, these stories reflect a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture that is rooted in experimentation, traditional practices and self-sufficiency.
Webinar: Defending farmers’ rights to seeds – the role of judicial action in Africa
In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Kenya has judged Kenya’s Seeds and Plant Varieties Act to be unconstitutional. To learn more about how Kenya’s civil society achieved this victory and on the significance of the ruling for other countries in Africa and beyond, join the webinar on the 15th of January 2026.
Inspiring Women Farmers in the Marketplace: Innovation in Red Gram Processing
In a village in Karnataka’s Dharwad District, India, a group of landless women has redefined rural entrepreneurship by transforming traditional food processing into a viable and sustainable business. The Shri Vinayaka Self-Help Group (SHG) began their journey with limited resources but a shared determination to improve their livelihoods.
East African Community (EAC): civil society criticizes 2025 Seed and Plant Varieties Bill
In June 2025, a new EAC Seed and Plant Varieties Bill has been tabled in East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). An earlier draft Bill from 2018 had stalled after facing heavy opposition from civil society.
Workshop: Creating Space for Farmers’ Seeds in Seed Regulations
SWISSAID and its partner TABIO organized a workshop in Dar es Salaam from 28–30 July to explore ways to create space for farmers’ seeds within Tanzania’s seed regulations.