Community Seed Banks and Seed Producer Groups in Fragile States: Operationalizing the Three Pillars of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus

This working paper presents insights, findings and recomendations based on research and stakeholder consultations completed uner ISSD Africa’s Action Learning Project 1 on Resilient and Diverse FMSS.

Authors

Arnab Gupta (WUR), Ronnie Vernooy (Bioversity International), Majok Ayuen Kok (Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, South Sudan), Aidid Hassan Abdi (Sanaag University, Somaliland)

Abstract

Background: Fragile and conflict-affected African states face persistent challenges in ensuring farmer access to quality seed, with over 90% of smallholder seed originating from farmer-managed systems. Traditional humanitarian responses often undermine local seed networks through poorly designed aid that creates dependency and market distortions. This paper explores the roles community seed banks (CSBs) and seed producer groups (SPGs) can play in addressing these challenges, presents operational results, and offers policy recommendations for seed aid in fragile states.

Methods: The study applies the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus framework to seed systems in fragile African states, drawing on case studies from South Sudan’s “Women United” CSB and Somaliland’s “Beer” seed network, systematic literature review, and field evidence from ISSD Africa’s Action Learning Projects.

Findings: CSBs and SPGs simultaneously deliver humanitarian relief (emergency seed access), support livelihood development (sustainable seed enterprises), and contribute to peace (inclusive resource governance and inter-community cooperation). Women United evolved from a humanitarian stopgap to a registered cooperative selling Quality Declared Seed (QDS) and improving livelihoods among conflict- and flood-displaced persons. The Beer network demonstrates how inclusive governance (rotating clan leadership) prevents conflict while maintaining 75+ crop varieties. Key enablers include supportive policies recognizing farmer-managed systems, QDS standards, gender inclusion, market integration, and conflict-sensitive programming.

Conclusions: Supporting farmer-managed seed systems yields multiple benefits across the HDP nexus. Interventions should strengthen—not replace—farmer-managed practices through local procurement, adapted quality assurance, and inclusive governance. Policy recommendations include formally recognizing community seed organizations, requiring Seed System Security Assessments before aid, expanding QDS, and leveraging seed initiatives for peacebuilding. Multi-year, flexible funding aligned with nexus principles is essential for transitioning from aid dependency to resilient, market-integrated seed systems.

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Cover Photo: Women members of the Beer Community Seed Bank in Togdheer, Somaliland.
Credit: Mustafe Abdillahi Abdi/Agriculture Development Organization (ADO), Somaliland