Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
August 29, 2024

The seminar-workshop on Seed Systems Development for East and West Africa, organized by Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center (ISU-SSC) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), concluded last week with a list of recommendations to advance the national seed development and investment plans of five focus countries. The event brought together seed science and industry experts from 12 countries who exchanged insights and strategies to foster seed system innovations across the two regions.

Over 50 representatives from seed authorities, industries, research institutions, and policy-making bodies in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania gathered for the event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first two days were dedicated to a seminar in which participants discussed the current state of seed systems in East and West Africa. Participants also shared experiences in implementing various seed system innovations in their respective countries. “Our discussions covered a wide range of topics, with a focus on fostering public-private partnerships,” said SSC global programs lead Dr. Lulu Rodriguez.

Strategic Planning for the Future

Following the seminar, participants outlined steps necessary to move national and regional seed development plans forward in a two-day workshop. Their recommendations are expected to mobilize additional investments and shape future technical assistance initiatives related to seed systems development.

“Our goal was to foster a dynamic seed sector capable of placing high-quality seeds within the reach of small-scale farmers,” said Justina Torry, senior agricultural attaché with the USDA-FAS office in Addis Ababa. “We aim to achieve this by keeping stock of the current situation informed by the findings of a comprehensive seed system assessment conducted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). This analysis helped identify the current status, challenges, and investment opportunities within the seed sectors of the five focus countries.”

The breakout groups then presented their recommendations in the form of one-, three-, and five-year action plans.

Common Challenges

Participants identified common constraints across the five focus countries, including strengthening national policy and coordination, reducing the time required to release new varieties, and increasing the supply of early-generation seeds (EGS). “Participants also recognized the importance of enhancing farmers’ awareness of improved seed varieties, particularly hybrids, given that adoption rates in Africa remain below 20%,” said Dr. Yacouba Diallo, Secretary General of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA).

Participants underscored the need for capacity-building initiatives in EGS production, sustainable business models, seed quality assurance, and efficient seed distribution and marketing to address these challenges. Strengthening the seed ecosystem will also require infrastructure support, such as irrigation systems, seed storage facilities, and processing plants for private EGS producers.

“These steps promise to play a critical role in the region’s agricultural future, ensuring that affordable, high-quality seeds reach farmers at the right time,” said Dr. Okelola Folarin, acting registrar of Nigeria’s Plant Variety Protection Office, who reported on the recommendations for Nigeria, Ghana, and West Africa.

About the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University: Iowa State University’s SSC is a global center for excellence in seed science, technology, and systems. It operates one of the world’s most comprehensive public seed testing laboratories that analyzes seeds of 300 species for over 350 seed-borne pathogens. It offers the only online master’s program in the world on Seed Science, Technology, and Business. SSC projects in 80 countries over the past 20 years have helped to expand producers’ access to quality seed, facilitate seed trade, and promote the growth of national seed systems and industries. 

About the USDA-FAS: The Foreign Agricultural Service has primary responsibility for USDA’s overseas programs on market development, international trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection of statistics and market information. It also administers the USDA's export credit guarantee and food aid programs and mobilizes expertise for agriculturally led economic growth. The FAS mission statement reads, “Linking U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security.”

Website: http://www.seeds.iastate.edu

Published: August 30, 2024