The Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI) is a dynamic partnership of diverse southern African organisations committed to securing food sovereignty in the region. We work with smallholder farmers to become more seed, food and nutritionally secure through farmer-led seed systems, improved crop diversity, and the revival of local knowledge systems. While we have relationships with a number of organisations and individuals all over the world, our primary stakeholders are the farmers we work with in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The initiative started in 2013 and has since grown to include 15 partner organisations across those four Southern African countries.
Seed (n) the germ or propagative source of anything. Synonyms: beginning, source
As SKI partners, we know that seed is the beginning of life and is also the symbol of renewal and of the beginnings of things new. We believe that seed sovereignty is the basis of food sovereignty.
Knowledge (n) a body of truths or facts accumulated in the course of time. Synonyms: ability, awareness, insight, know-how; wisdom.
Transformation and democratization of knowledge is urgent and requires a radical shift away from top-down research and policy making to a system where new knowledge is co-created and local knowledge systems are honored and owned.
Initiative (n) An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something; an introductory act or step; leading action. Synonyms: enterprise,
SKI initiates spaces for learning and innovation towards change. Rather than presenting a one size fits all solution from outside, SKI partners collaborate to build on what they do well and jointly create something new.