Implementation of farmers’ rights through the recognition of farmers’ seeds and provisions made for a discreet farmer seed system registration process, not linked to commercial seed and crop value chains

In 2003, the Brazilian government passed a Seed Law- Lei 10.711 Dispõe sobre o Sistema Nacional de Sementes e Mudas e dá outras providências that recognized farmer’s seed emanating from farmer-managed seed systems. According to this law, registration of local, traditional or Creole cultivars used by family farmers, Agrarian Reform settlers or indigenous peoples is not mandatory (Article 11.6) and there are exemptions for those who multiply seeds or seedlings for distribution, exchange or sell among themselves. The exemptions are for all farmers’ seed as long as they are traded and exchanged among family farmers (Article 8.3). Where farmers choose to register their seed in Brazil, several requirements are given by the Ministerial Decision 51/2007. Since the farmers’ seed sector is recognized as important and indispensable towards the attainment of food security, the national government launched the Food Acquisition Programme in 2003, which included the purchase and dissemination of farmer seed that was directly purchased from and distributed to farmers. This state support created a big incentive for local producers, especially family farmers, agrarian reform settlements and indigenous communities and populations, and it recognised the seed production protocols and activities of these communities. To further support the farmers’ seed sector, the Ministry of Agrarian Development supported seed fairs to promote the multiplication of local seeds.