The Kampala-based Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) has released a new policy brief calling on African leaders to urgently recognise and support Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) as a cornerstone of climate resilience, food sovereignty and sustainable food systems across the continent.

The brief will be officially launched at the Africa Food Systems Forum, hosted in Senegal from August 31-September 5, 2025, where high-level African ministers and policymakers are convening to shape the future of food and agriculture on the continent.

Today, over 80 to 95 percent of seeds planted by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa come from these farmer-led systems, which embody ancestral agroecological knowledge, preserve biodiversity, and ensure resilience in the face of climate shocks. Women and youth are the backbone of FMSS, women safeguard up to 90 percent of traditional seed knowledge, yet these systems remain marginalized by restrictive seed laws, corporate pressures, and policies favoring industrial seeds.

AFSA warns that neglecting FMSS risks further biodiversity loss, weakened climate adaptation, and deepened food insecurity. By contrast, recognizing and investing in FMSS offers a “Made-in-Africa” solution to today’s food crisis, one that reduces dependence on costly seed imports, creates green jobs for youth, empowers women, and secures nutritious food for millions.

The policy brief urges African governments to: Legally recognise FMSS in national seed laws, ensuring farmers’ rights to freely save, use, exchange, and sell seeds; invest in infrastructure and financing, including community seed banks, participatory breeding, and farmer training; integrate FMSS into education and research, supporting co-creation of knowledge between farmers, scientists, and institutions; and promote inclusion and equity, strengthening the role of women and youth as leaders and innovators in seed systems.

AFSA emphasises that FMSS are not relics of the past but living pillars of Africa’s food future. They represent a strategic imperative to secure food systems, protect Africa’s genetic heritage, and reduce external dependence.

As the brief concludes, “The seed does not refuse to grow—let us give it the political soil it deserves.”

On the other hand, AFSA has also released a new policy brief calling on African leaders to champion a continental shift from synthetic fertilisers to biofertilizers and biostimulants [B&B] as the foundation of Africa’s soil fertility and food sovereignty strategies.

The brief will also be officially launched at the Africa Food Systems Forum [formerly AGRA Forum], hosted in Senegal from August 31- September 5, 2025.

AFSA notes Africa’s dependence on imported synthetic fertilisers is a triple threat, undermining economic stability, degrading soils, and draining foreign exchange. Prices of fertilisers have spiked by up to 300 percent since 2021, while more than 75 percent of Africa’s soils are already degraded. By contrast, biofertilizers and biostimulants restore soil life, enhance resilience to drought, reduce chemical dependency, and create local jobs through youth- and women-led enterprises. They offer a regenerative, low-cost, and homegrown alternative to synthetic fertilisers.

The policy brief calls on African governments to: Announce national biofertiliser transition plans — replacing 50 percent of synthetic fertiliser use by 2030; redirect subsidies such as Senegal’s CFA 40 billion budget toward local B&B production and soil health packages; develop local infrastructure for composting, microbial inoculant production, quality testing, and community training; harmonise standards through AfCFTA and regional frameworks, enabling trade and mutual recognition of bio-inputs; and engage SMEs, women, and youth as leaders in production, distribution, and innovation

AFSA stresses that this transition is not only about replacing inputs but about leading a systemic shift towards agroecological soil health. With Senegal well-placed to lead as host of the Forum, biofertilisers and biostimulants represent a “Made-in-Africa solution” to the fertiliser crisis, capable of restoring soils, creating green jobs, and reducing the continent’s external dependence.

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The Command Post Exercise (CPX) “OKOA MAISHA 2025” yesterday officially opened at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (URDC) Headquarters in Jinja.

The exercise is aimed at assessing national preparedness and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders in identifying, managing, and mitigating crises.

Presiding over the opening, Maj Gen Don Nabasa, Joint Staff Policy and Strategy, welcomed participants drawn from government ministries, departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations, and security forces.

He commended the leadership for recognising the exercise as vital to strengthening national disaster response and risk management in disaster-prone areas.

“The primary goal of this exercise is to enhance preparedness, refine response strategies, and identify gaps in existing systems under time-constrained and high-pressure conditions,” Maj Gen Nabasa said.

He urged participants to remain committed to the overall objective of improving planning, preparation, and execution of disaster response operations, adding, “Let us work together to save lives and property.”

Brig Gen Ernest Nuwagaba, Commander URDC and Exercise Director, emphasised the importance of readiness as a continuous process.

“Preparedness isn’t just a moment; it’s a sustained state of readiness that carries us through every phase of crisis,” he said.

He explained that simulating disaster scenarios such as floods, landslides, or pandemics without deploying live field resources allows for both realistic and efficient training.

Brig Gen Nuwagaba further encouraged participants to engage fully, share expertise, and strengthen coordination.

“This exercise provides a critical platform to refine systems, foster trust, and reinforce collaboration, ensuring the nation’s readiness before, during, and after every crisis,” he noted.

Mr. Jacob Siminyu, Regional Immigration Coordinator and Head of the Civilian Component, stressed the importance of joint efforts across agencies. “We are here to make a difference and save lives,” he said.

CPX OKOA MAISHA 2025 is a simulation-based training activity aimed at testing and improving command and control structures, decision-making processes, and communication systems in disaster management.

The exercise theme, “Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Resilience and Local Action on Sustainable Disaster Response and Management through Integrated Leadership and Command”, highlights the importance of collaboration and sustainable approaches to disaster preparedness.

The exercise is expected to strengthen URDC’s ability to coordinate with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, the Office of the Prime Minister, ministries, local governments, and humanitarian organisations. It will focus on establishing timely response mechanisms, effective communication, coordination, and early detection measures.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Brig Gen Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Brig Gen Michael Ssesanga, Senior Commissioner of Prisons Frank Baine, representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda Red Cross, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, legal advisors, and local leaders from Bulambuli District.

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