The harvest is in the seed

Category: Sharing knowledge on Seeds

AfricaSeedsSharing knowledge on Seeds

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!

14 Mar 2021
© African Union
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Week 21 – Policy Brief: White Paper on the COVID-19 Crisis and the Seed Sector in Africa: Impact, Options for Actions and Recommendations

Author: African Union, 2020
Topics: Access to seeds, COVID-19, African Union, Dialogue, Seed Sector, Africa

Last year over the course of one month, the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission engaged with non-state actors, academia, the private sector, research and development seed sector stakeholders including the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), The African Seed Access Index (TASAI) as well as Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI).

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05 Mar 2021
© Bioversity International
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Week 20 – Research results – Seed sector in Burkina Faso: Recommendations for a better integration of producers

Authors: Patrice Djamen, Souleymane Ouattara, Bioversity International, Swiss Cooperation, 2017
Topics: Farmers’ seed systems, participatory approach, partnership, subsidies, Burkina Faso

This document is part of the perspective of extending the momentum spurred by the project “Improving seed systems for smallholder farmers’ food security” implemented in Burkina Faso by Bioversity International and its local partners and funded by the Swiss Development and Cooperation Organization (SDC). This mission aimed to generate the knowledge needed to explore mechanisms that can better take into account the concerns of small producers in seed systems.

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17 Feb 2021
Training toolkit
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Week 18 – Research results: Breaking through the 40% adoption ceiling: Mind the seed system gaps

Authors: Conny JM Almekinders, Jorge JL Andrade-Piedra, Erik Delaquis, Karen A Garrett, Lava Kumar, Sarah Mayanja, Bonaventure A Omondi, Srinivasulu Rajendran, Graham ThieleFirst
Topics: plant breeding, evidence-based decisions, partnership, varietal adoption

This perspective paper presents findings on the importance of better and more effective collaboration between seed system stakeholders, and in particular between breeders and national seed systems, to promote adoption of new and adapted varieties.

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09 Feb 2021
© GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOD
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Week 17 – Training Material: Options for Stakeholder Engagement and Benefit Sharing in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems

Authors: Edith Lammerts van Bueren, Conny Almekinders, Eva Weltzien, Veronique Chable, Riccardo Bocci, Monika Messmer, Fred Rattunde, Claudius van de Vijver; Global Alliance for the Future of Food, CGIAR, Dynaversity and LIVESEED
Topics: plant breeding, resilience, participatory approaches, benefit sharing, partnership

Resilient seed systems play a central role in sustainable food systems that are robust, dynamic, equitable, diverse, healthy and interconnected. Developing and strengthening these systems offers vital entry points for responding to critical global challenges of climate change, agricultural biodiversity, and sustainable development.

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03 Feb 2021
© Michigan State University
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Week 16 – Policy Brief: Seed Security Response to COVID-19: now and beyond

Authors: Louise Sperling, Niels Louwaars, Orlando de Ponti, Melinda Smale, Julie March, Dieudonne Baributsa and Jacob van Etten; Michigan State University
Topics: smallholder farmers, covid-19, emergency, seed system security assessment

COVID-19 brings new challenges worldwide, including to smallholder farmers and their seed systems. In response, an escalating number of seed projects are being planned to deliver immediate aid or to alter current seed production programs. This Brief aims to steer both the immediate aid and more developmental planning towards wiser, better and more informed practice – and to stop unproductive or even harmful decisions.

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27 Jan 2021
© Michigan State University
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Week 15 – Research paper: Reflection on indicators of access of small producers to quality seeds

Authors: Yenizie Kone, Melinda Smale, Bokary Timbo; IER, Michigan State University, USAID
Topics: quality seeds, smallholder farmers, research, Mali, innovation, governance

This study is the result of a workshop on the identification of indicators of access by smallholder farmers to improved seeds. A total of 34 seed actors, including 4 women, participated in this workshop. The various participants and seed system experts were representatives from the government, research, seed companies, NGOs and farmers’ organizations.

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12 Jan 2021
©IFPRI
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Week 14 – Policy Brief: Gender dynamics in seed systems development

Authors: Kramer, Berber and Galiè, Alessandra; International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Topics: seed sector, gender, smallholder farmers, research

All agricultural production – whether of crops, trees, forages, livestock, or fish – starts with seeds, making seed security vital to food security. Seed security means that producers – smallholder farmers especially –

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08 Jan 2021
©Springer Nature
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Week 13 – Publication: Enhancing Smallholder Farmers’ Access to Seed of Improved Legume Varieties Through Multi-stakeholder Platforms

Authors: Akpo, E., Ojiewo, C.O., Kapran, I., Omoigui, L.O., Diama, A., Varshney, R.K. (Eds.), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Topics: seed sector, Legumes, Africa, smallholder farmers, partnership

This book shares the experiences of Tropical Legumes III (TLIII) project led by ICRISAT in facilitating access to seed of improved legume varieties to smallholder farmers through innovation platforms. It highlights practices and guiding principles implemented in eight countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

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04 Jan 2021
©Palgrave
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Week 12 – Publication: Globalisation and Seed Sovereignty in sub-Saharan Africa

Author: Clare O’Grady Walshe, International Political Economy Series, Springer Nature Switzerland
Topics: seed sector, food sovereignty, Africa, globalisation

This book is an important milestone for the sector. It studies the relationship between globalisation and seed sovereignty and what this means for sub-Saharan Africa. It identifies the interests and motivations of the different actors in the seed space and points to ways in which national and local actors can help to ensure the exercise of seed sovereignty in the future.

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