Farm Radio Weekly

At an agricultural fair held in Djimini, Senegal, last month, West African farmers were shocked to learn that a Senegalese seed company is trying to patent this traditional seed.

Three years ago, a Senegalese company called Tropicasem applied for a patent from the African Intellectual Property Oganization. If their application is accepted, farmers could lose their right to save and use Violet de Galmi seeds. They may risk paying the company a penalty if they do continue to use them.

In addition to being a farmer, Mr. Biaye is president of the Senegalese Association For Farmers of Peasant Seeds. He finds it outrageous that Tropicasem made the patent application without first consulting farmers.

Jeanne Zoundjihékpon is a member of the Coalition for the Protection of African Genetic Heritage, or COPAGEN. She says that COPAGEN Niger is calling on the Nigerien government to prepare a response to Tropicasem’s patent application before the deadline this August. COPAGEN will meet with the secretariat of the African Intellectual Property Association next month in Cameroon,speaking on behalf of Africa’s communities and small scale farmers.

Mr. Biaye promises that farmers and civil society organizations will do everything they can to fight Tropicasem’s patent application. But even if the company is granted a patent, Mr. Biaye insists that farmers won’t stop growing Violet de Galmi seeds.