In this incisive episode of Battle for African Agriculture, Dr. Million Belay is joined by Dr. Titilayo Adebola, a leading legal scholar whose work sits at the intersection of intellectual property, seed governance, and decolonization. Together, they unpack the deeply colonial roots of Africa’s current seed laws and the growing pressure on African governments to adopt UPOV 1991-style regimes—laws that often privilege corporate breeders at the expense of farmers, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge. Dr. Adebola explains how the African Model Law on Plant Variety Protection offers a bold and Afrocentric alternative, rooted in farmers’ rights, legal pluralism, and community seed systems.

With clarity and conviction, Dr. Adebola outlines the political dynamics shaping seed law harmonization across the continent, from free trade agreements to donor influence. She calls for African leaders to resist one-size-fits-all legal models and instead embrace seed systems that reflect the continent’s ecological, cultural, and legal diversity. This episode is essential listening for anyone who believes seed sovereignty is central to food sovereignty—and who understands that true transformation begins with reclaiming the legal foundations of our food systems

AFSA’s General Coordinator, Dr. Million Belay, invites audiences into The Battle for African Agriculture—a new podcast he hosts that goes beyond headlines to examine the deep, enduring forces shaping Africa’s food systems. The series will explore how colonial and neo-colonial legacies continue to influence what Africans grow, eat, and trade, often undermining food sovereignty, eroding biodiversity, and weakening the connection between people and the land.

In each episode, Dr. Million engages with some of the most insightful and courageous voices—scholars, farmers, activists, and policy makers—who understand the roots of Africa’s agricultural challenges and are working to build just, ecological, and culturally grounded alternatives.

Episodes, grouped into thematic series and released every Friday, will unpack different dimensions of the struggle over Africa’s agricultural future, questioning imposed models, sharing stories of resistance, and highlighting African-led solutions.

This podcast aims to provide a fresh perspective to understand, resist, and find solutions toward shifting real power and ownership back to the people—smallholder food producers—restoring their culture, identity, livelihoods, and local economies, and shaping the future Africa chooses for itself. Through open and thought-provoking conversations, The Battle for African Agriculture invites listeners to reflect, engage, and be part of the movement toward food systems that work in harmony with nature and serve communities across the continent.