Strengthening Farmer-Led Seed Systems

Insights from the Eleventh Session of the Governing Body in Lima, Peru

Last month, IFOAM - Organics International, represented by Ambassador Roberto Ugas, and other members, actively contributed to discussions on farmer-led seed systems during the Eleventh Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Held in Lima, Peru, from 24-27 November 2025, the session brought together governments, researchers, civil society, and farmers' organisations to advance global governance of plant genetic resources.

A highlight of the week was IFOAM's participation in two side events facilitated and presented by the McKnight Foundation, a close partner in advancing farmer-centred and agrobiodiversity-rich seed systems.

Presenting agrobiodiversity-focused Communities of Practice | 25 November

With around 55 participants, this event created space for sharing knowledge on community seed banks and farmer-managed seed systems-their challenges, opportunities and contributions to resilient food systems. Facilitated by Manuel Ruiz Muller (Seeds for All, consultant for McKnight Foundation), the session featured three poster presentations:

• Nyarie Chisango and Riccardo Bocci: Convening global expertise on community seed banks and enabling policy environments for farmer-managed seed systems.
• Roberto Ugas: A long-standing knowledge exchange initiative connecting farmer-centred research partnerships for food system solutions.
• Stef de Haan and Hedwig de Coo: Scaling up innovations through collaboration within and beyond the Benefit-sharing Fund, including outcomes from the "Agrobiodiversity Knowledge Lab".

The event closed with collective reflections on lessons learned and areas for future collaboration.

Exploring Policies to Promote and Strengthen Farmer-managed Seed Systems | 26 November

This session examined how policies can better recognise and support farmers as innovators, developers and custodians of agrobiodiversity. Participants explored case studies of farmer-managed seed systems from the Philippines, Peru, Zimbabwe and Italy, followed by a panel discussion that centred on two guiding questions:

• How can policies support farmers as innovators within FMSS and broader seed-sector development?
• How do current economic, trade and agriculture issues affect farmer-managed seed systems?

The panel brought together diverse perspectives from:

• Beatrice Egulu, African Union
• Francisca Acevedo, National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity
• Dr. Mary Teddy Asio, Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
• Israel Navarette, International Potato Centre
• Representative of the ITPGRFA Secretariat

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Collaboration

Insights from both events reaffirm McKnight Foundation's interest in deepening collaboration with IFOAM - Organics International. Potential areas include:

• Strengthened communication efforts, working with the IFOAM network to amplify evidence, narratives and policy debates on farmer-managed seed systems.
• Joint evidence-gathering initiatives, documenting on-the-ground effectiveness of approaches identified in past research and projects.

Together, IFOAM - Organics International and the McKnight Foundation aim to advance farmer-led seed systems that protect agrobiodiversity, reinforce local innovation, and support resilient, equitable food systems worldwide.

More about the Eleventh Session of the Governing Body