In this episode of the Battle for African Agriculture podcast, Gideon Gatpan, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), joins host Million Belay to discuss governance challenges shaping African food systems. Their conversation addresses seed policies, genetically modified organisms, corporate influence, farmers’ participation in policymaking and the growing importance of agricultural data.

The discussion focuses particularly on food and digital sovereignty. Gatpan advocates stronger regional governance, agroecological approaches and greater local control over seed systems and agricultural data. The episode also considers the role of civil society organizations, including the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), and debates surrounding the Seed Bill 2025 and agricultural policy implementation in East Africa.