This discussion paper examines the role of farmers’ seed systems in sustaining peace, with a focus on social cohesion as a pathway to positive local collective action. It is both important and timely considering the increasing concentration of hunger and undernutrition in countries in fragile situations and those affected by conflict; the increasing number of violent conflicts, particularly at the local level; and the complex interaction between fragility and conflict and impacts on societal trust.
Drawing on an extensive literature review and supplemented with input from subject experts, the paper reveals that certain characteristics of farmers’ seed systems do contribute to sustaining peace, highlighting the two-way interaction of peacebuilding and agricultural development.