Global Seed Savers has been strengthening its reach through a series of recent Seed Sovereignty Forums that brought together farmer cooperatives, local government partners, and community members to build a shared vision for resilient food systems.
In Toledo City, Cebu, Global Seed Savers partnered with the First Consolidated Cooperative Along Tañon Seaboards (FCCT) to host a forum with both members and staff. The conversation highlighted a critical challenge: while FCCT already produces organic fertilizers, they remain dependent on external seed sources. As Mam Clavel shared during the forum, combining both organic fertilizers and farmer-managed seeds will allow FCCT and its members to become truly sustainable. This partnership also opens the door for FCCT to supply organic seeds, supported by their member demo farms.
In Negros Oriental, Global Seed Savers facilitated another Community-Led Seed Sovereignty Forum with strong community engagement. The event emphasized that seed sovereignty is not only about saving seeds, but also about supporting farmers to reclaim control of their food system.
Meanwhile, in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Global Seed Savers partnered with World Vision and the Municipal Agriculture Office to conduct a second batch of the forum. With over 30 participants confirmed for an upcoming Seed School 1 this October, enthusiasm is growing. Local government representatives also expressed interest in formalizing seed banking initiatives and exploring ordinances to support both organic farming and seed sovereignty. While challenges remain, such as limited staffing capacity, the commitment to appoint a focal person on seed saving signals a strong step forward.
These forums show the growing momentum of seed sovereignty across regions in the Philippines. Each partnership brings unique strengths: cooperatives with established organic practices, LGUs with policy-making influence, and farmers eager to learn and lead. What brings them together is the shared understanding that access to seeds is foundational to resilience, sustainability, and food security.
