Agnes Esinyen, Mary Loya, and Catherine Ebei are women farmers who take part in SWISSAID’s “Emergenseed“ project, run in partnership with the Seed Savers Network. They live in Turkana County, one of the driest regions in Kenya, where annual rainfall is just 200 mm, compared to a national average of 680 mm.
As active members of local seed banks, they attended courses in seed storage, agroecology, and the management of neglected and underutilized species (NUS). In the following interview, they explain how these community banks operate and how access to diversified seeds improves food security while opening up new paths toward self-reliance – particularly for women!
Catherine Ebei is the quality assurance officer at the Katilu Seed Bank in Turkana County, in Kenya’s arid northwest. A widow and mother of five, she is actively involved with the Kawalap solidarity group, which works alongside the Seed Savers Network and SWISSAID.
Mary Loya is the chairwoman of the Turkwel Seed Bank in Turkana County, northwestern Kenya—one of the driest parts of the country. This seed bank has 30 members.
Agnes Esinyen is the chairwoman of the Kalemnyang Seed Bank in Turkana County, northwestern Kenya. The facility brings together more than 500 farming families. It opened in July 2024 with support from the Seed Savers Network Kenya. Agnes also manages a demonstration garden and runs a clothing shop.
Agnes: In July 2024. So it is still very new. To date, around 35 members have stored their seeds here. Through the bank, however, we have already distributed seeds to about 300 farmers. We hope to reach 400 soon – which would mean we would cover almost the entire irrigation community, with over 500 members.
Agnes: Each member has their own shelf and bottles, so these are personal seeds. Each member has their own shelf and their own bottles. Here, for example, you can see Lucy Lomolen’s seeds; over there are mine, and next to them are those of another member. So these are personal seeds. Alongside these are stocks from our demonstration plot – these belong to the seed bank as a whole.
Mary: Anyone who borrows seeds must return double the amount. If I borrow a bottle containing five units, I return ten after harvest. That way, our stock keeps growing. We also keep a 10% emergency reserve in case of crop failure or flooding.
Mary: We set the rules ourselves. They mainly concern borrowing, savings, and table banking (a community savings and loan system). Anyone who misses three meetings receives a fine. If someone remains inactive for too long, they lose their membership. This keeps everyone committed.
Mary: We meet twice a month, on the 15th and at the end of the month, to make our contributions. Anyone who needs a loan can obtain one at a 10% interest rate. Most women use this money to pay school fees or buy food; some also use it to start small businesses.
Catherine: We had to buy seeds. Because of the lack of rain, we often lost everything. Yields were extremely low. Then the Seed Savers Network came to Katilu with the project supported by SWISSAID – and we came together as a group.
Catherine: A great deal. First, we received seeds and no longer need to purchase them. Then, we were trained in Gilgil in seed conservation, farming practices, and market gardening. We also learnt how to incorporate trees and practice crop rotation. Later on, a solar power system was added – that was the turning point. It is only since then that we have seen really good progress.
Mary: Thanks to the seed bank, accessing seeds during planting season is far easier. We visit the bank, collect what we need, and plant immediately.
Catherine: Before the project, yields were so low that we barely had enough to eat. Today, our meals are much more diversified: various vegetables, pulses such as mung beans (green grams), and diverse nutrients. This variety significantly improves our health.
Mary: In Turkana, we used to grow almost exclusively sorghum. Now we diversify our crops with different kinds of vegetables and grains. Yields have increased, and malnutrition within our households has dropped considerably.
Agnes: I mainly use it for training. I show others how to grow vegetables in a small space right in their home compound. The goal is to plant local varieties—such as saga (spider plant), cowpea, spinach, amaranth, and kale. Indigenous varieties are great for nutrition.
Agnes: Right now, the irrigation canal is being desilted, so water is scarce. But this garden only needs about 20 liters every three to four days. It is a prime example of a compact setup that can thrive without much water.
Catherine: No, none at all. We make our own biopesticides using locally available resources: wood ash, aloe vera, neem, and other plants. We manage very well this way.
Images: Christian Heuss / SWISSAID
