Preservation of Velvet Bean Mucuna pruriens Through Informal Seed Sources in Machinga District Malawi

Informal seed systems remain a cornerstone of agro biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa, yet they are often overlooked in agricultural policies. Therefore, this study investigates the role of farmer-managed seed systems in preserving the neglected and underutilized legume velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) in Machinga District, Malawi. A mixed-methods design combining surveys (n = 222), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews was used. Findings reveal that local vendors, kinship exchanges, own seed saving, community seed banks, and cross-border sourcing from Mozambique constitute a diverse and adaptive seed network that buffers farmers against environmental and economic shocks. Farmers’ decisions to cultivate velvet beans are influenced by food security needs, ecological benefits, cultural practices, and perceived medicinal uses. However, preservation faces threats including droughts, storage limitations, labor-intensive harvesting, and erosion of intergenerational knowledge. Using the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Theory, the study highlights how farmer-led seed practices represent both cultural heritage and vital biodiversity assets. Strengthening these informal networks through training and policy recognition is essential to sustaining on-farm biodiversity and safeguarding neglected crops like velvet beans.