Seeds of Resilience: Kenya’s Farmers Growing Hope in a Changing Climate

Farmers in Kenya are adapting to the growing harsh weather and unpredictable patterns by embracing drought tolerant crops. Sorghum, millet, cassava , African leafy vegetables, are returning to tables as staple foods in households across the country.

The recent held Trade Fair in Nairobi was a demonstration of the resilience of the Kenyan farmer in protecting indigenous seeds.

Farmers showcased drought-tolerant sorghum, pest-resistant cowpeas, and heritage vegetables like amaranth — crops capable of surviving unpredictable weather while nourishing families.

In partnership with the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation KALRO communities are reviving indigenous seed banks, exchanging local varieties, and embracing their right to choose what to plant.

Farmers receive critical farming information and weather forecasts real time, sparking a rise in the adoption of climate smart practices like water harvesting , composting, intercropping and soil regeneration to nourish the populace.

KALRO representative at the Trade Fair said through the Kenya digital agriculture platform , farmers are able to receive weather forecasts, agricultural insights, agronomic advise and market information.

“We are not just growing food — we are growing the future.”- KALRO

Beneath the vibrant displays at the Trade Fair, lay a global conversation- one about food security seed sovereignty and the fight to keep farming viable as the planet warms.

“If we lose control over our seeds, we lose control over our food — and ultimately, our future.”— Dr. Vandana Shiva, Environmental Activist and Founder of Navdanya, India

Across the world, food systems are under pressure. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts are disrupting harvests from the Horn of Africa to the American Midwest.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that climate change could cut global crop yields by up to 30% by 2050 if adaptation doesn’t accelerate.

For regions like Kenya — where agriculture sustains millions — the stakes couldn’t be higher.

THE SEED DEBATE

Seed Sovereignty Shaping Food Security Worldwide Power vs. Autonomy:Over 60% of the global seed trade is controlled by just four multinational corporations, limiting farmers’ rights to save and exchange seeds — especially in developing regions where smallholder farming sustains livelihoods. Biodiversity at Risk:The shift toward uniform, commercial seed varieties has caused a loss of up to 75% of global crop diversity over the past century. Communities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are reviving indigenous seeds to restore ecological balance and resilience against pests and drought. Policy and Resistance:From India’s Navdanya to Latin America’s Red de Semillas, farmer-led campaigns are challenging restrictive seed laws. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP) and the FAO Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources reinforce farmers’ rights to seeds as essential to food security. Climate and Viability:With the IPCC warning of frequent droughts and failed harvests, seed sovereignty is increasingly viewed as a climate justice issue. Locally adapted, diverse seeds offer flexibility and resilience — making them central to sustainable farming futures.

In protecting its seed, empowering small holder farmers, and promoting sustainable practices, Kenya is contributing to a global blueprint for food sovereignty and climate resilience. It is defining its future of farming, in a warming planet.