Millions of farmers across Africa play a crucial role in preserving crop diversity by cultivating traditional crop varieties, saving seeds for the next planting season, and exchanging seeds with neighbours and other farmers.

This practice is essential for safeguarding crop production and ensuring food security, as the population continues to grow.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen in a statement said farmers have long been the stewards of crop diversity, helping to secure food production and improve crop yields.

"Farmers have not always been formally recognised for their role in conserving plant genetic resources, but the adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has changed that," Steenhuisen said on Thursday.

The treaty acknowledges the vital contribution of farmers and indigenous communities in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, which is key to food security and agricultural biodiversity.

In a significant step for the country’s agricultural and food security landscape, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that South Africa has ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, making it the 154th Contracting Party to the agreement.

READ | SA signs international treaty to boost food security, biodiversity

This treaty aims to ensure global collaboration in conserving and sustainably using plant genetic resources.

Steenhuisen emphasised that by joining the treaty, South Africa must align its national policies and programmes to recognise farmers’ contributions to the conservation of traditional crops, especially those that are often neglected or underutilised.

Crops such as millets, cowpeas, sorghum and bambara groundnuts play an important role in local food systems but often lack the attention they deserve.

“We must ensure that indigenous farmers are involved in decision-making processes related to plant conservation, the sustainable use of genetic resources, and in the sharing of benefits derived from these crops. Farmers must also be empowered to save, exchange and sell farm-saved seed,” Steenhuisen said.

To further enhance the conservation of crop diversity, the Minister said the Department of Agriculture is working in partnership with farmers, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and provincial agriculture departments, to support and strengthen community seed banks.

These hubs for the conservation and revitalisation of local seed systems focus on crops suited to local conditions.

“Currently, community seed banks are operational in Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and the North West provinces. In the 2025/26 financial year, two new community seed banks will be established in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape provinces.

“These seed banks are central to preserving traditional crops, encouraging participatory plant breeding, and facilitating seed exchanges among farmers and communities through traditional food and seed fairs,” Steenhuisen said.

Conserving crop diversity is integral to building sustainable food systems and advancing food and nutrition security.

According to the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS), approximately 20 million South Africans face food insecurity, a situation exacerbated by high poverty levels, unemployment, and income inequality.

The report also highlights the adverse impacts of climate change on crop yields, particularly in smallholder and subsistence farming communities.

The Minister said the NFNSS provides valuable insights to guide South Africa’s National Food and Nutrition Security Plan (2024-2029), “a key priority for government”.

South Africa’s participation in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture's multilateral system facilitates access to a global pool of genetic resources, benefiting the country’s farmers and researchers.

“This system supports the training, breeding and research needed to strengthen food security and improve crop resilience. Additionally, the treaty’s Benefit-Sharing Fund offers financial support for crop diversity conservation and capacity-building initiatives worldwide,” Steenhuisen said.

The Minister said the successful implementation of the treaty in South Africa will require strong government support at all levels and collaboration across the public, private and civil sectors.

He called for continued cooperation to ensure that South Africa’s farmers and communities benefit from the country’s participation in the treaty. –