Seed Security: COVID-19 Lessons

COVID-19 is bringing new challenges, including farmers, seed systems, and seed security response. This set of guidance notes aims to help humanitarian practitioners think through the possible effects of COVID-19 on farmers’ seed security - and then to offer guidance on possible response options, if needed. It is important to emphasize that Intervening in seed systems is a serious business. Even short-term interventions may have serious effects over many seasons or years: e.g. seed can be replanted. Also, although they have a benign image, seed interventions can do harm and increase farmers’ vulnerability.