Toward sustainable seed system security in fragile contexts
Conflict-sensitive innovations to foster climate-resilient agro-pastoral livelihoods
Extreme weather and disasters due to climate change aren’t a distant reality — the conflict-affected communities in which the International Rescue Committee (IRC) works increasingly represent the epicenter of the climate crisis today. Communities in conflict-affected countries are exposed particularly frequently to climate impacts such as drought and flooding, driving escalating unmet needs (despite contributing just 2.4% of greenhouse gases in 2019 and accounting for only 9.4% of global population). These communities, such as those in Niger, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Syria, are on the front lines of complex and compounding conflict and climate crises. Despite this urgent need, these conflict-affected regions are being left behind by global efforts on climate action, receiving disproportionately little funding and ineffective solutions. Agro-pastoral communities in these areas are especially vulnerable, as they receive only 0.3% of global climate finance and continue to confront the effects of climate change, persistent insecurity in some areas, economic deterioration, and high prices and shortages for essential items including food and agricultural supplies, as well as health concerns exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Airbel Impact Lab, the IRC’s Research & Innovation Unit, in collaboration with IRC country and technical teams, has just released a series of case studies highlighting our ongoing innovation work to strengthen seed security as a means of building climate resilience in agro-pastoral communities at the frontlines of the complex and compounding conflict and climate crises. In the series, we describe system disruptions threatening seed security in agro-pastoral communities within Niger, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Syria, put forward systems-based recommendations to strengthen seed security, and call for a disruption to the paradigm wherein the most vulnerable populations are systematically left out of climate action. For more detailed insight into the specific challenges, opportunities, and proposed solutions in each country, access the full-length case studies (in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish) here.
As our research and innovation endeavors continue to unfold across these dynamic landscapes, we remain committed to a continuous learning approach, consistently integrating newfound knowledge into our initiatives. In this blog post, we are excited to share three pivotal insights gleaned from our ongoing efforts in seed security, contributing to the broader goal of building climate resilience in these conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable countries.
Away from Humanitarian Seed Aid and Toward Self-Reliant, Resilient Seed Systems in Niger and South Sudan
In Niger, ongoing political instability, conflicts involving armed groups, and environmental challenges have compounded the vulnerability of the population, which is predominantly engaged in smallholder farming. Limited access to technology and climate-smart seeds further deteriorates the seed system. Similarly, in South Sudan, the aftermath of civil war, displacement, and extreme weather events underscore the complexity of the situation. The unavailability of high-quality seeds, technological limitations, and environmental shocks contribute to the fragility of the seed system. In both Niger and South Sudan, humanitarian seed aid is a prominent element of local seed systems, rendering agropastoral communities highly reliant on external support. Although these interventions have been crucial in providing urgent and necessary assistance to local farming communities, they have also anchored humanitarian organizations as core participants in the system and have reinforced a dynamic that impedes the development of a self-reliant, sustainable, and secure local seed system in both Niger and South Sudan, ultimately hindering the development of resilience. Lessons from these contexts emphasize the importance of comprehending the intricacies of prior interventions to inform effective and tailored seed security solutions that are transformative and empowering for local communities, as a means of fostering true resilience. For more information on our evolving work in transforming seed systems in Niger and South Sudan, check out our case studies.
Fostering Farmers’ Self-Reliance and Extending the Reach of Extant Institutions in Pakistan’s Seed Security Landscape
The challenges faced by farming communities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh provinces underscore the critical importance of adopting people-first solutions to enhance the resilience of seed systems. Political instability, governance gaps, and socioeconomic disparities have left many farmers in these communities vulnerable, particularly affecting women and smallholder farmers who struggle to access quality seeds and essential resources. Throughout the design process, local partners and stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted the need to focus on solutions that reduce farmers’ dependency, as well as strengthen and extend the reach of extant government institutions (e.g. agriculture extension services) to address accessibility issues and socio-economic disparities. Our proposed seed security solution package, rooted in local communities and market actors, emphasizes local testing, incentivized experimentation, and accessible media for information dissemination. By empowering farmers, especially those from marginalized groups, through seasonal seed experimentation and multiplication, the initiative aims to democratize knowledge transfer and skills development, ultimately reducing dependency and enhancing the sustainability and scale of seed security solutions. Our ongoing work in Pakistan highlights the crucial role of both people-centric approaches and collaboration with government institutions in building conflict-sensitive, sustainable, and scalable resilience in fragile contexts. Learn more about our ongoing work and seed system security solutions in Pakistan by reading the full case study.
Unleashing the Potential of Women’s Participation in northeast Syria for Transformative Community Roles
In northeast Syria, over a decade of war has disrupted the seed value chain, impacting agricultural infrastructure, supply chains, and agricultural systems. With the absence of government support and agricultural services, farmers face a complex crisis and negative feedback loop driven by diminishing seed quality and soaring prices, threatening agricultural livelihoods. Notably, gendered dimensions exacerbate the challenges, as female farmers, despite their active roles, have limited decision-making power and are traditionally excluded from cash crop cultivation. In response to this multifaceted problem, our solution package offers an opportunity for female farmers to experiment and innovate with resilient seed, and fosters a collaborative seed multiplication model. The first year of our pilot, launched in October 2022, has already seen the active engagement of female farmers (nearly 20% of our initial 100 participants were women), empowering local women to become leaders in wheat cultivation. At the end of the season, ten “champion” farmers were selected based on their level of engagement in project activities, application of climate-smart agricultural practices, and the size of their yield; four of these champion farmers are women. Several of the women farmers noted that they had never participated in wheat cultivation before, that men in their villages have now come to them for advice given their comparatively higher yields, and that they see this project as having the potential to enhance trust in women’s knowledge and expertise in agriculture. Crucially, the initial outcomes of our initiatives in northeast Syria underscore the significance of gender-transformative strategies in cultivating climate resilience, emphasizing that climate resilience is inherently intertwined with gender equity. By empowering female farmers, we not only fortify the entire agricultural value chain but also nurture self-reliance within the local farming community, laying the foundation for enduring and resilient seed systems. Check out the full case study to learn more about our seed security solutions, impact, and reach in northeast Syria.
Our exploration into seed security in conflict-affected regions has illuminated critical insights and paved the way for action with transformative potential. As we move forward, the Airbel Impact Lab, together with IRC’s country program and technical teams, is dedicated to refining these recommendations based on ongoing research and innovation across the dynamic landscapes of Niger, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our commitment to a continuous learning approach ensures that newfound knowledge is integrated into our initiatives, allowing us to adapt and evolve with the changing realities on the ground. Looking ahead, our focus extends beyond innovation alone. We aim to bridge the gap between policy and practice, connecting our research findings to actionable solutions. The emerging and pivotal insights shared here — learning from past interventions to promote sustainability, adopting people-first solutions while strengthening extant institutions, and empowering women through value chain participation and learning — serve as foundational principles in this journey toward resilient seed systems in conflict and climate-vulnerable countries.
Perhaps most importantly, our work actively challenges the paradigm where vulnerable populations are systematically excluded from climate action. We recognize the urgency of addressing the unique challenges faced by agro-pastoral communities, especially those at the frontlines of conflict and climate crises. In the coming phases of our work, we remain committed to translating research into tangible impact, ensuring that the seeds of resilience we plant today blossom into sustainable solutions for tomorrow. By fostering a holistic approach that intertwines climate resilience with equity and empowerment, we aspire to create enduring and transformative change in local seed security landscapes. For deeper insight into how we’re building resilience and identifying new strategies to transform seed systems in Niger, South Sudan, Pakistan, and Syria, check out the full set of case studies. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to innovate, adapt, and drive towards positive change in the face of complex and compounding challenges.
