Nourishing disruptive seeds for a better future

by Martin Njoroge Kimani, CGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR)

'The right to foods for a better life and better future," was the theme for World Food Day this year, and one that resonates deeply with those of us who work in the space of climate and agriculture.

Set against the context of this year's theme, 'foods' stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility, and safety. From farm to table, the vision is clear: everyone deserves the right to healthy, nutritious, and safe food that is also diverse and a reflection of both the cultural richness and varied ecosystems that sustain our world. Yet, today, almost 3 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet due to the intensity and recurrence of climate extremes, conflict, pandemics, and economic shocks. The poor are often forced to rely on less expensive foods that are unhealthy, while others might suffer from the availability of or a lack of access due to climate extremes or conflict.

Like many parts of the world, Kenya, too, faces a significant challenge-how can we feed a growing population while operating within the bounds of fragile ecosystems? The global climate crisis has made it clear - the way we currently produce food is unsustainable. Land degradation, biodiversity loss, weak governance, and ecosystem collapse all contribute to the climate emergency. As the Swahili proverb says, 'Baraka haikosi mawimbi' - The sea does not lack waves - we need a systemic shift, one that can transform the adaptation capacity of food, land, and water systems. This transformative change is the approach that we at the CGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR) take to tackle climate vulnerability at its roots and support low-and middle-income countries build equitable and sustainable futures.

Rethinking the Future of Food

At the heart of this transformation is ClimBeR's concept of Disruptive Seeds, which goes beyond the literal meaning of seeds used in farming. Disruptive seeds represent ideas, organizations, and individuals who push back and question unsustainable practices, driving society toward new, productive, sustainable, and transformative pathways. Much like the Samburu proverb "Keeta oldie enkolong enye"-Even a poor person has his day-these disruptive seeds remind us that small, seemingly insignificant ideas can spark monumental changes. However, these organizations often face resistance, especially from those who benefit from the current inequalities. Much like what the Greek poet, Dinos Christinopoulos, wrote "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds," a slogan later adopted by the Zapatistas in the 1990s, an Indigenous people's movement in Mexico fighting for sovereignty - the Disruptive Seeds approach echoes the resilience of disruptive ideas that, despite resistance, have the potential to grow and inspire change.

Rethinking the future of food also requires that we integrate the old and new. We must integrate Indigenous knowledge from Indigenous peoples and local communities who are nature's custodians and have for centuries been the stewards of the land, preserving both natural ecosystems and biodiversity for generations.

Today's intertwined climate and environmental crises require a disruption of the current power structures that govern food production. These crises also present an opportunity to rethink our approach to land use, food sovereignty, and human rights. For instance, despite being nature's custodians, Indigenous peoples and communities are often marginalized by policies and actions that favor commercial agriculture under the guise of development and often lack access to the very land and ecosystems that they have protected. We must address the inequities that persist in land ownership and environmental stewardship and empower communities to take charge of their resources.

A Vision of Sustainable Futures

At a recent workshop hosted in Naivasha, Kenya, diverse groups came together under ClimBeR's, Disruptive Seeds approach, which originally began in Guatemala. These groups, representing disruptive, hopeful ideas, sought to challenge present unsustainable systems and trends while envisioning a path toward a shared vision of a prosperous, sustainable future. Participants were grouped based on their areas of focus, and through critical discussions, explored how today's radical ideas could become tomorrow's mainstream beliefs.

The Baobab collective, a group deeply rooted in organic, permaculture, and regenerative agricultural practices, named themselves after the majestic Baobab tree, symbolizing longevity and resilience. They foresaw a future where agroecology would secure food sovereignty, reduced human-wildlife conflict, and the use of Indigenous seeds. Their vision highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Nurture your Body and Soil. Illustration by @Mr_CarlWiz

Meanwhile, The Tamarinds, focused on human rights, nutrition, and gender equality, named themselves after the tangy yet delicious dryland delicacy, loved worldwide for its invigorating flavor. They envisioned a future where communities would reclaim power from an indifferent political class, ensuring that the nutritional value of Indigenous food is recognized and promoted. Much like the deep roots of a tree, the community's spiritual power can nurture resilience and unity. This group remains hopeful that integrity and community-driven efforts will ultimately prevail.

Everyone has a role to play in our food systems. Illustration by @Mr_CarlWiz

The Indigenous Peoples' group envisioned Indigenous and local communities being fully integrated, recognized as citizens, and reclaiming their spaces, aligned with traditional knowledge and sustainability. Across the country, Indigenous wisdom, or Mwìruti (Kikuyu), has long shaped their relationship with the environment and communal life. Integrating Mwìruti into education ensures that younger generations maintain cultural knowledge​ such as sustainable farming methods like planting njahi (black beans) alongside modern varieties. In this envisioned future, local markets discourage intermediaries from exploiting farmers and promote power restoration to local economies.

Securing Community Lands. Illustration by @Mr_CarlWiz

The Land is Power group focused on land tenure and resource governance and visualized a future where community-driven solutions lead the way. Land rights are secured, traditional knowledge is preserved, and ecosystems are regenerated. The group's emphasis on community-led governance serves as a reminder that while today's challenges are real, the long-term wisdom embedded in indigenous practices - like the strong, old oak - can withstand the challenges we face today.

Embracing Indigenous Knowledge and Local Solutions

Set against the backdrop of this year's World Food Day theme, 'The right to foods for a better life and better future," achieving this vision requires more than just modern solutions - it calls for the integration of indigenous knowledge into our systems. In the face of challenges such as climate extremes, conflict, and economic shocks, we envision a future where, by 2050,

Indigenous practices and modern technologies coexist, creating a food system that is not only diverse, accessible, and affordable but also equitable and sustainable. This is a food system where everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status can access healthy and nutritious food.

As we work toward these futures, the Swahili proverb "Haraka haraka haina baraka"-Haste has no blessings-cautions us to proceed thoughtfully. We must take the time to nurture these disruptive seeds, ensuring that they have the nourishment-both metaphorical and literal-to grow into sustainable systems.

The Path Forward: Empowered Communities and the Right to Foods

Empowering local communities, prioritizing sustainability, and promoting equity and inclusion are essential to transforming Kenya's food systems. The path forward will not be without conflict, as those who benefit from the current unsustainable structures will inevitably resist change. Yet, we must remain persistent in our pursuit of a just and sustainable future, where everyone has access to diverse, nutritionally rich, affordable, and safe food.

Let us plant the seeds of change, not just in our fields but in our communities and policies. With deep-rooted Indigenous Knowledge and the innovations of today, we can ensure that food becomes an inherent right, not a privilege. The future will be one where diversity, sustainability, and justice form the foundation for a better life for all. Indigenous knowledge passed on through generations, will guide us toward a food system that honors both cultural heritage and the well-being of our planet, integrating traditional knowledge with modern tools and resources that will help us a better future for all.

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