This publication is a significant contribution to the agroecological transition. It results from documenting good and little-known stories about traditional seeds, local seeds and farmers’ seed systems. Seed practitioners provide the initial stories. A multi-disciplinary review committee then helped finalize the stories to provide readers and policy-makers with the arguments they need to better support farmers’ seed systems and boost farmers’ communities’ confidence in their knowledge, know-how and practices when managing genetic diversity. Eight interventions implemented by eight organizations working in partnership with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) in seven countries (Togo, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Cameroon, Burkina
Faso and Gabon) conclusively demonstrate the extent to which it is possible and viable for family farms in Africa to take control of agricultural seed systems and, consequently, of their food sovereignty. The eight case studies provide insight into how seed sovereignty can be achieved using local African knowledge systems, supported by other scientific knowledge where necessary. The tendency to subjugate African knowledge systems, at best, or despise them, at worst, is thus invalidated. The eight case studies teach us that, using simple technologies that are easily accessible locally, it is possible and viable to multiply and produce various types and varieties of
seed indigenous to Africa and to domesticate those of exogenous origin. By way of example, among the seeds multiplied and used for food production by the communities in which the AFSA partners’ interventions are operational are: soya, durum wheat, maize, sorghum, cowpea, nyimo, turmeric, fennel, dill, coriander, noni, turnip, asparagus, turmeric, basil, feverfew, German chamomile, dandelion, pigeon pea, mung bean, verbena, mustard, mint, chicory, lettuce, plantain, rocket, spinach, borage, artemisia, tomatoes, eggplants, African aubergines,
onions, potatoes and peanuts. The case studies also tell us how resilient African systems of knowledge about post-harvest treatment are, and which technologies are most appropriate for household seed saving - such as using sand and ash for preservation, and traditional granaries made from locally available materials for storage.