Fighting Back Against Criminalization Of Traditional Seed Exchanges In Tanzania

Small-scale farmers in Tanzania, a largely female demographic, will now face heavy penalties or long prison sentences if they practice exchanging traditional seeds without government oversight. By limiting seed exchanges, Tanzania and other African governments that may follow suit restrict the freedom of farmers to choose what they grow, and build an alternative to the industrial food system through food sovereignty. La Via Campesina and their allies, defenders of women and small-scale farmers, are determined to respond strongly. Photo credit: La Via Campesina