Several African countries have adopted the Union of Plant Varieties (UPOV) 1978 and 1991 conventions as their sui generis regimes, regardless of their impact on their local contexts. Literature on the point has been particularly vocal on the fact that the UPOV 1991 convention especially does not contain provisions to cater to the needs of farmers in developing countries, and expressly prevents them from saving seeds to sow back in subsequent seasons. Policy choices on these issues will determine the space available for agricultural innovation and needs to be evaluated carefully.