Seed Sovereignty and Biodiversity Conservation: Unpacking Vandana Shiva’s Advocacy

Abstract

Dr. Shiva’s dedication and commitment to ecological integrity and sustainable practices in agriculture highlights the importance of seed sovereignty for biodiversity to ensure global food security. Her robust approach in her discourse criticizing industrial agricultural practices, patenting of seeds, genetic engineering, and corporations taking over seeds is commendable. Dr. Shiva illuminates the intricate connections between seed sovereignty and preserving indigenous agricultural practices. She opines that the local farmers must be given the basic rights to control their seeds, preserving the indigenous knowledge thereby fostering agroecological approaches to cultivation. The socio-economic complex consequences of her work would potentially empower the farmers and local communities at large that will more resilient and equitable agricultural system. By unpacking the subtle distinction of her advocacy, this paper fosters a fine distinction and understanding of the opportunities and challenges in connection with seed sovereignty and the preservation of biodiversity. The paper ultimately concludes with a comprehensive approach that can inform policies and practices that promote sustainable agriculture and protect our ecosystem. The research paper “Seed Sovereignty and Biodiversity Conservation: Unpacking Vandana Shiva’s Advocacy” also reflects and studies an approach to make sure that humans will fulfill their roles and responsibilities in this intricate web of ecosystem ensuring every existence has its own identity and right to live. Shiva’s central thought in “Who Feeds the World” asserts agriculture justice. Shiva’s thirty years of study and research in this field draw genuine sustainability which could be practiced and incorporated.  Vandana Shiva is against large-scale monocropping and genetic modifications but instead advocates agricultural practices, biodiversity, and indigenous farming techniques to solve the food crisis. The research paper will study the theories like biodiversity, symbiosis, biocentrism, anthropocentrism, interconnectedness, and ecocentrism. This research paper examines critically the multifaceted relationship between seed sovereignty, conservation of biodiversity, and the works of Vandana Shiva who has advocated through her works and influenced all towards a better ecosystem.