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.

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16 Aug 2022

Week 65 – Case Study: Identifying Options for the Development of Sustainable Seed Systems – Insights from Kenya and Mali

Author: Christinck, Anja; Rattunde, Fred; Kergna, Alpha; Mulinge, Wellington; Weltzien, Eva
Topics: quality seeds; sustainability; Kenya; Mali

This paper results from a study that was commissioned to contribute to the Program of Accompanying Research for Agricultural Innovation (PARI).

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10 Aug 2022

Week 64 – Case Study: Centre for the Production of Improved Seed (CEPROSEM)

Author: Tanguy Smoes, Global Growing Casebook, EU, 2012
Topics: quality seeds; institutional strengthening; Democratic Republic of Congo

The Congolese Centre for Culture, Education and Development CECFOR, a NGO operating education and health care facilities, recognised these limitations but also the potential of the agricultural sector for development in the region.

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03 Aug 2022

Week 63 – Online presentation: Revitalization of Farmer Managed Seed Systems in Tanzania

Author: Ayesiga Buberwa (Iles de la Paix) at the ECHO East Africa Symposium, 28-30 Sep 21
Topics: biodiversity; farmers’ seed systems; utilization; Tanzania

This presentation has been held on the 30th of September at the 6th ECHO East Africa Biennial Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture and Appropriate Technologies.

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27 Jul 2022

Week 62 – Briefing paper: The future of food: seeds for resilience

Author: Global Alliance for the Future of Food
Topics: biodiversity; farmers’ seed systems; conservation

In order to understand the landscape of initiatives working to advance seed diversity globally, the Global Alliance commissioned a Compendium of Perspectives to illustrate a nuanced discussion on agricultural biodiversity, at times aligned and at times divergent.

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20 Jul 2022

Week 61 – Briefing paper: Changing the discourse, policy and practice in farmer seed systems in Africa

Author: African Centre for Biodiversity
Topics: biodiversity; farmers’ rights; farmers’ seed systems; resilience

Farmers’ seed constitutes the majority of seed used and exchanged. Crops produced from this seed contribute substantially to food and nutrition security for billions of people. However, these seeds receive scant recognition, and there is limited support for their reproduction, adaptation and use by farmers, for farmers.READ MORE

13 Jul 2022

Week 60 – Briefing paper: Zanzibar’s draconian seed law in the offing

Author: African Centre for Biodiversity
Topics: seed laws; biodiversity; farmers’ rights; farmers’ seed systems

This paper highlights the role that seed laws play in facilitating the expansion of the Green Revolution project on the continent, by creating regulatory environments that enable corporate entry and control of seed and agriculture systems.READ MORE

29 Jun 2022

Week 58: Research findings – Trees and their seed networks: The social dynamics of urban fruit trees and implications for genetic diversity

Author: CIFOR/ICRAF
Topics: seed sector development; biodiversity; trees

Trees are a traditional component of urban spaces where they provide ecosystem services critical to urban wellbeing. In the Tropics, urban trees’ seed origins have rarely been characterized.

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13 Jun 2022

Week 56 – Policy Brief: Access to seeds: lessons from the access to medicines debate

Author: Quaker United Nations Office (QNUO)
Topics: intellectual property rights; farmers’ rights; seed access

The history and dynamics of the access to medicines debate provide a number of reflections for those concerned with protecting farmers’ access to seeds. Taking the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health as its point of departure, this paper explores implications for interested parties at the international and national levels, as well as for multilateral institutions themselves.

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