Presentation short abstract

Seed systems shape, and are shaped by, cultural, technological, and political forces. Drawing on recent research from several countries, I will discuss how perspectives from ethnobotany, political ecology and other fields help us understand institutions governing farmers' seed system transformation.

Presentation long abstract

Human cultures have shaped crops, and crops have shaped cultures. Seeds and the social-ecological systems through which they circulate—seed systems—are products of this long history of agri-cultural coevolution. In the face of environmental and social crises, authoritative bodies such as the IPCC identify “shifting crop cultivars” as the most important on-farm adaptation strategy. Although this may sound straightforward, it is in fact a complex process carrying far-reaching ecological, social, and political implications.

In this talk, I will present findings and perspectives on how seed systems have evolved and how they continue to shape, and be shaped by, broader cultural, technological, and political forces. Drawing on recent research from Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda, and other geographical contexts, I will discuss the role of values and norms, and the interactions between formal and informal institutions, that govern farmers' seed systems. I will discuss the influence of tradition and innovation in seed system evolution and argue that cultural factors, as well as intertwined cultural and biological—biocultural—dynamics, remain underappreciated in seed-system research, policy, and practice.

My aim is to spark discussion on theoretical approaches and methods from ethnobotany, political ecology and other fields that can help us understand the role of biocultural factors in the ongoing evolution—and transformation—of seed systems.