AGRA has had important and sizeable impact on seed systems in the current AGRA focus countries, through knowledgeable catalytic grant-making and technical advisory and oversight efforts. CESSA is leveraging the valuable key lessons and experiences learned in AGRA’s 15 years of seed-related investments to support findings of SeedSAT assessments and identify suitable models of investments (catalytic grants and financing models)
Catalytic Grants and AGRA Advisory Services
In potential new countries, AGRA will leverage its past approach and success to support: i) variety testing and release; ii) EGS production iii) start-up seed companies iv) farmer awareness and participation through agent networks; and iv) establishment of agrodealer networks for input distribution AGRA advisory services will support the permanent actors in a country (e.g., the ministry of agriculture, seed trade associations, NARIs, public and private breeders, seed producers and processers, seed distributors, seed marketing) to identify suitable investments models, partnerships, donors.
Examples of high impact driven catalytic grants and advisory services
- · Grants to upscale quality and production of early generation seed of diverse crops
- · A repayable grant model for the Seed for Impact Program in Africa (SIP)
- · Scaling seed production by supporting emerging seed companies
- · Grants to strengthen regulatory agencies for increased quality assurance
- · Expanding coverage of seed tracking and labelling in Nigeria