The documentary The Last Seed provides a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges facing African agriculture and the urgent need for a shift toward sustainable farming practices. Through narratives from small-scale farmers, activists, and policy experts, the film ignites an engaging discussion on food and seed sovereignty, agroecology, and the growing dominance of multinational corporations in Africa’s agricultural landscape.
The documentary opens with stunning visuals of Africa’s agricultural heritage, showcasing farmers using age-old wisdom to cultivate their fields amidst lush greenery and towering mountains. However, this harmonious balance between people, land, and crops is increasingly under threat. Multinational agribusinesses, particularly giants like Monsanto and Syngenta, are eroding traditional farming practices by promoting genetically modified (GM) seeds and costly chemical inputs.
Central to The Last Seed is the issue of seed sovereignty the right of farmers to save, exchange, and breed seeds without external control. For centuries, African farmers have relied on indigenous seed varieties, which provide resilience in the face of climate change and ensure agricultural biodiversity. Yet this centuries-old practice is now under siege due to corporate expansion and the imposition of restrictive intellectual property laws and trade agreements that benefit multinational corporations.
The documentary critiques the role of organizations like the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), founded with significant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. AGRA’s goal was to halve hunger and double the income of millions of farmers by 2020. However, it has failed to deliver on these promises, and hunger has actually increased by 30% in many of the countries where AGRA operates. Instead of promoting sustainable agricultural practices, AGRA has encouraged the use of commercial seeds and chemical fertilizers, deepening farmer dependence on costly inputs and marginalizing traditional agricultural practices.
One of the key issues raised in the film is the contrast between agroecology and industrial agribusiness. Agroecology, which integrates ecological principles with traditional farming knowledge, offers a sustainable alternative to the industrial model of agriculture. The film showcases examples of African farmers who have successfully adopted agroecological methods, such as using organic fertilizers, intercropping, and saving indigenous seeds, to restore soil health and increase productivity without relying on synthetic inputs.
In contrast, industrial agriculture prioritizes monocultures and heavy pesticide use, focusing on maximizing yields at the expense of biodiversity. The documentary challenges the narrative that hunger in Africa is due to insufficient production, highlighting instead how systemic issues like unequal food distribution, limited market access, and land control contribute to food insecurity.
The film also emphasizes the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in resisting corporate control over agriculture. Groups such as the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and the Network of Small Scale Farmers’ Groups in Tanzania (MVIWATA) have been instrumental in advocating for farmer-managed seed systems and challenging restrictive seed laws. In countries like Tanzania and Kenya, grassroots movements have successfully resisted laws that criminalize the saving and exchange of indigenous seeds, demonstrating the power of organized resistance.
Beyond the issue of seeds, The Last Seed connects the dominance of multinational agribusinesses to broader concerns such as food sovereignty, climate resilience, and economic justice. Food sovereignty refers to the ability of communities to control their food systems, and when farmers lose control over seeds, they lose the ability to decide what they grow, how they grow it, and how they feed their communities. Indigenous seed varieties are naturally resilient to climate extremes, while GM and hybrid seeds often require high inputs of water, fertilizers, and pesticides resources that are increasingly scarce in many African regions.
The film also highlights how dependence on corporate seeds and agrochemicals traps farmers in cycles of debt, exacerbating economic inequalities. Agroecology, by contrast, offers a more equitable agricultural model where farmers retain autonomy, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
In addition to its agricultural and economic themes, The Last Seed touches on the struggle for democracy, illustrating that the fight for seed sovereignty is also a fight for democratic rights. The documentary underscores that true democracy is not only about political institutions but also about the autonomy of communities to make decisions about their food systems and livelihoods. The battle for seed sovereignty is ultimately a battle for justice, sustainability, and the right to define Africa’s agricultural future.
The screening of The Last Seed sparked a powerful dialogue about the need to challenge corporate-driven agricultural policies and advocate for alternatives that prioritize people over profits. As the struggle for food sovereignty continues, the film’s message is clear: Africa’s agricultural future must be in the hands of those who nurture the land, not those who seek to exploit it for profit.
