The harvest is in the seed

quality seeds

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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13 Aug 2022

AfricaSeeds strengthens the entrepreneurial skills of women seed producers in Côte d’Ivoire

From July 13 to 14, 2022 in Abidjan, AfricaSeeds, in collaboration with the Ivorian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, organized a workshop for women seed producers. The aim was to improve their entrepreneurial skills and empower them to engage in seed enterprises creation and management.READ MORE

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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10 Dec 2021
©Agrilinks & USAID

Week 36 – High-Quality Seed Production by Smallholder Farmer Groups: A Global Case Study

Author: Bhramar Dey, Catholic Relief Services & Bert Visser, Oxfam’s SD=HS., 2020
Topics: quality seeds; case study; farmers’ seed systems; conservation

Farmers have always played a key role in seed production, varietal maintenance and serving local and regional communities with agroecologically adapted varieties that are demanded by smallholder farmers. Increasingly, smallholder farmers have organized themselves in various ways to produce seed for local markets. However, the operational efficiencies,READ MORE

29 Jun 2021
©Agrilinks

Week 35 – Webinar: The Informal Seed Sector: A Behind the Seeds Look

Author: Agrilinks, 2015
Topics: Informal seed sector, access to seeds, quality seeds

Many smallholder farmers rely on local seed varieties to produce staple food crops. Distributed through informal systems, farmers select varieties based on a number of factors including environmental considerations, socioeconomic factors, access and taste preferences. These systems may contribute to the food security of a region, but farmers may also encounter barriers to accessing good quality seed including quality controls and storage issues.

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18 Mar 2021
© The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Week 22 – Research Results: Rapid assessments of the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of quality seed to farmers: Advocating immediate practical, remedial and preventative action

Author: Elsevier, 2021: Walter S.de Boef, Gareth D.Bormana, ArnabGupta, AbishkarSubedi, Marja H.Thijssen, Amsalu Ayana Aga, Mohammed Hassena Beko, Swe Zin Myint Thein, Win Thein, Folarin Okelola, Osundiya Olusegun, Olusegun Philip Ojo, Chinedu Agbara, Geoffrey Otim, Charles Ssemwogerere, Bonny Ntare, Patrick Oyee
Topics: Seed security assessment, quality seeds, COVID-19

The use of Rapid Assessments that were inclusive and effective helped advocating immediate action.READ MORE

27 Jan 2021
© Michigan State University

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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