This article is originally published as a Grantee Spotlight Story by the Agroecology Fund.
Inisiatif Rizab Benih Komuniti (IRBK), or the Community Seed Reserve Initiative, is a seed-saving project under the Malaysian Food Security and Sovereignty Forum (FKMM), supported in part by the Agroecology Fund. The initiative aims to elevate farmer-led seed systems, encourage seed saving, exchange, and preservation, protect agrobiodiversity, especially heritage seeds and strengthen farmers’ rights.
Following FKMM’s Agroecology Conference on Community Seed Systems 2024 (AECoSS24) in Bangi, Selangor, attendees from FKMM and the Seed Savers Network (SSN) shared their reflections and experiences from the event. Their insights help illuminate the value of community seed systems in building sustainable, just, and climate-resilient food systems.
Reflections from NurFitri Amir Muhammad, project leader of IRBK, FKMM
Please share a brief introduction about your collaborative work on seed systems.
IRBK is a seed-saving initiative by FKMM, a platform formed in 2018 to promote food security and sovereignty in Malaysia through natural farming, permaculture, and organic agriculture. We conduct workshops on farmers’ rights, community seed systems, and GMOs. Launched in 2020 with Agroecology Fund support, IRBK creates a community-led seed inventory and provides alternatives to commercial seed systems that undermine farmers’ autonomy and biodiversity.
Why did FKMM decide to organise this Conference? What were some of the highlights that stood out?
AECoSS24 was co-organised by FKMM and IRBK on 26 April 2024 in conjunction with International Seed Day. The goal was to gather farmers globally to share strategies on food sovereignty and seed rights. We welcomed over 200 participants, 20 speakers, and representatives from 15 countries, including partners from Indonesia, India, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, and the Philippines. The event highlighted the role of local practices in seed security, especially for resource-limited farmers, and emphasised the need to influence policies that support these systems.
What were the key learnings you received from the gathering? How are you thinking about them in the context of your work?
One key takeaway is this:
Community seed systems foster co-creation, equity, and knowledge exchange. They promote genetic conservation and support diverse, sustainable livelihoods.
Another takeaway is that in-person gatherings help build relationships and empower communities.
These insights affirm our belief in agroecology’s core values—community, connection, and co-creation. The conference reinforced our commitment to building strong farmer collectives for a resilient food future.
What message do you want to share about community seed systems and the role they play in food sovereignty?
Community seed systems must be recognised alongside formal seed systems.
We urge all stakeholders to uphold farmers’ rights to seeds—protecting traditional knowledge, ensuring equitable benefit sharing, and supporting participation in policy decisions. These rights should be enshrined in international agreements like the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and UNDROP. FKMM continues to promote community systems because they are essential to sustainable agriculture and food security.
“Community seed systems must be recognised alongside formal seed systems. We urge all stakeholders to uphold farmers’ rights to seeds—protecting traditional knowledge, ensuring equitable benefit sharing, and supporting participation in policy decisions.” ©Agroecology Fund.
Reflections with Daniel Wanjama, Coordinator, Seed Savers Network, Kenya (SSN)
Please share a brief introduction about your collaborative work on seed systems.
SSN began 14 years ago to counter restrictive Kenyan laws that banned seed sharing. Government policies favoured hybrids and chemical inputs, which worsened food insecurity and deepened poverty for smallholder farmers. We built a network of over 3,900 farmer organisations across Kenya and formed partnerships with international allies like Agroecology Fund to advance food and seed sovereignty.
What were your primary reasons for wanting to attend the seed systems conference? What were some of the highlights from your time in Malaysia?
The conference offered a rare opportunity to learn from global models, connect with like-minded advocates, and exchange ideas. I was struck by the diversity of participants, from farmers to researchers and organisations from around the world. That level of open, collaborative dialogue is uncommon in Kenya, where research is often driven by agendas favouring industrial agriculture.
“We built a network of over 3,900 farmer organisations across Kenya and formed partnerships with international allies like Agroecology Fund to advance food and seed sovereignty.” ©Seed Saver Network Kenya.
What were the key learnings you received from the gathering? How are you thinking about them in the context of your work?
Here are my two major takeaways:
- Microbial seed treatments: A sustainable alternative to chemical seed dressings.
- Seed-sharing techniques: Using paper or postcards to simplify farmer-to-farmer exchanges.
We’re exploring how to integrate these approaches, including researching microbial solutions that comply with local regulations while protecting seed health and the environment.
What message do you want to share about community seed systems and the role they play in food sovereignty?
Community seed systems empower farmers to control their seeds, safeguard biodiversity, and build resilience.
By supporting community-based seed systems, we can enhance food security, protect the environment, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
These systems are essential for equitable food futures and must be recognised and nurtured from the grassroots up.
The IFOAM Seeds Platform (ISP) partners with both FKSS and SSN to advance seed and plant breeding for agroecology and organic systems at a global level. Through collaborative Working Groups, the Seeds Platform is addressing key challenges and opportunities in the sector, from technical and political barriers to societal and economic dimensions. These groups are developing tools, strategies, and services to benefit all actors in the seed value chain, from breeders to farmers to consumers.
In honour of the International Day of Seeds 2025, IFOAM – Organics International and ISP co-hosted a webinar featuring speakers from FKMM, SSN and other partners in the network to discuss matters related global seed rights and what we can do to protect them. Read key insights from the webinar here.
