The harvest is in the seed

AfricaSeeds is the African Seed Sector Development Organization. AfricaSeeds’ vision is an African seed sector playing more effectively its role as crucial contributor to agricultural transformation and food and nutrition security on the continent.

Quality seeds play a critical role in building food and nutrition security. Therefore the serious inequities and challenges which have, for long, plagued Africa’s seed sector constitute huge barriers to the continental goals in agricultural development. The recognition by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union of the importance a healthy seed sector for the transformation and growth of African agriculture has led to the adoption of the African Seed and Biotechnology Program (ASBP) in 2007, the seed program of the African Union, which AfricaSeeds was mandated to coordinate.

From 2010 to 2020, AfricaSeeds has been an essential institution for the African Union insofar it has substantially contribute to the AU commitment of achieving food security by 2025. As the African Seed Sector Development Organization, AfricaSeeds will continue to support agricultural transformation by contributing to the overall development effort of the seed sector, through partnerships and an integrated and coordinated approach for building efficient and sustainable seed systems in Africa. In particular, all activities of the Organization will be with and contribute to the 2063 African Union Agenda on inclusive and sustainable development.

Organizational structure

AfricaSeeds is headed by the Executive Director, a chief executive with responsibility of providing leadership in all activities and functions of the organization. Its Governing Board, made up of outstanding contributors to the seed sector, is an overall oversight body of the Executive Director and the Agency that ensures harmonization and guidance on technical and policy issues and conformity to current norms in seed sector development.

Famille de producteurs de haricots
©CIAT
©AfricaSeeds

 

Semences et agriculture familiale

2007
ASBP Adoption
Following the outcome of the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union held in Sirte (Libya) on 5 July 2005, a strategic plan was adopted: the African Seed and Biotechnology Program (ASBP). Supported by Member States, this Program provides an overall framework for the comprehensive development of the seed sector on the continent.

2010-2020
AU Mandate
The Commission of the African Union qualifies AfricaSeeds as the institution best placed to coordinate and implement the ASBP. In July 2010, the Commission entrusts AfricaSeeds as the Agency mandated for the implementation of the Program. It is from then an intergovernmental seed organization with a continental mandate.

2021-2031
New Strategy
Thanks to the constant support of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the varied and enriching collaborations pursued, AfricaSeeds has developed into the African Seed Sector Development Organization. With its new ten-year organizational Strategy, the institution is now fully equipped on the roadmap for AfricaSeeds’ contribution to the transformation of African agriculture.