The harvest is in the seed

There are numerous quality information materials about seed sector sustainable development available out there. This wealth of knowledge addresses the entire array of the seed value chain. It can be used to strengthen the capacity along all steps of the seed value chain, for a more coordinated and effective seed sector development.

Every week, we highlight a specific initiative that is working towards strengthening knowledge about the seed sector in Africa via the publication of training material, guidelines, policy briefs, frameworks, datasets, videos, etc. The improved visibility of these initiatives will contribute to increase seed security, thus boosting the foundation of food security and livelihoods of Africa.

Support capacity development in the seed sector by sharing these resources!

04 May 2022
International Potato Center (CIP)

Week 51: YouTube Channel – International Potato Center (CIP)

Authors: International Potato Center (CIP)
Topics: seed system development; smallholder farmers

The International Potato Center (CIP) was founded in 1971 as a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato and andean roots and tubers. It delivers innovative science-based solutions to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, foster inclusive sustainable business and employment growth, and drive the climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems. Headquartered in Lima, Peru, CIP has a research presence in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.READ MORE

27 Apr 2022
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Week 50: Research study: Impact of seed system interventions on food and nutrition security in low- and middle-income countries

Authors: Deborah Nabuuma; Christine Reimersa; Ky The Hoang; TjeerdJan Stomph; Kees Swaans; Jessica E. Raneri; Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; Institute for Food and Health, Technical University Munich; Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia; Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University
Topics: seed system development; smallholder farmers; nutrition; gender

The role of seed systems in nutrition of smallholder farmers has received little attention. READ MORE

19 Apr 2022
©NWO

Week 49 – Research Project: The Seed Systems Development programme

Authors: The Dutch Research Council (NWO), CGIAR
Topics: seed system development; Africa

The Seed Systems Development programme is one of four instruments in the Netherlands (NL) – CGIAR research programme. The aim of the call for proposals ‘Enabling and Scaling Genetic Improvement and Propagation Materials’ was to generate insights that contribute to improving seed systems (including both plant and animal seed stock) in Asia and sub-Sahara Africa.

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13 Apr 2022
©ZEF

Week 48 – Working Paper: Decentralized Seed Services in Africa: An Assessment of Tanzania and Uganda

Authors: Christian Borgemeister, Joachim von Braun, Manfred Denich, Till Stellmacher and Eva Youkhana (Eds), 2021
Topics: seed system development; Tanzania; Uganda; integrated seed systems

The overall goal of decentralizing seed services is to increase the availability and accessibility of quality seed to farmers. The governments of Uganda and Tanzania have endeavoured to enhance access to improved seed for smallholder farmers. These efforts have achieved results and encountered challenges.READ MORE

30 Mar 2022
©USAID

Week 46 – Workplan: FeedTheFuture FY22 Annual work plan

Author: USAID & CRS, 2021
Topics: seed systems; capacity development; inclusion

The Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity (S34D) is a five year Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement Award, funded by Feed the Future through the Bureau of Resilience and Food Security (RFS) and by USAID through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). READ MORE

22 Mar 2022
©CIFOR

Week 45 – Research Findings: FTA Highlight No. 2 – Tree Seed and Seedling Systems for Resilience and Productivity

Author: Lars Graudal, CIFOR, 2022
Topics: seed system development; tree seeds; forests

Tree seeds and seedlings for planting purposes are the starting point from which farmers, foresters and others are able to grow trees. They are produced and made available through “seed systems”. These seed systems have been a major topic of work by FTA in the last decade because of the constraints faced by actors on the ground in obtaining tree-planting material corresponding to their needs and of good quality. (…)READ MORE

09 Mar 2022
@PABRA

Week 43 – Research Study: Empowering Zinduka Women’s Group in Tanzania to Produce Quality Bean Seed and Better Their Community

Author: PABRA, 2022
Topics: seed systems; farmer’s systems; capacity development; gender; youth inclusion

In 2010, a Zinduka women’s group based in the Mshewe village in the Mbeya region of the southern highlands of Tanzania was established.

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02 Mar 2022
©CIMMYT

Week 42 – Research Study: New direction in research for advancing gender-responsive maize breeding

Author: CIMMYT, 2022
Topics: seed systems; capacity development; gender; youth inclusion

New improved maize varieties may fall short in meeting the needs of women and the poorest of farmers – a concern that remains a focus of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the wider CGIAR.READ MORE