Seed systems are the cornerstone of agricultural transformation and a critical driver of food security, economic development, and climate resilience in Africa. However, despite the immense potential, the continent’s seed sector remains underdeveloped, which has limited productivity and threatened efforts to improve food security. To address the challenge, the Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) hosted at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) held a Seed Industry Stakeholders Learning Event in Kampala, Uganda from 24th to 29th November 2024.

The event, themed: “Cultivating Knowledge: Advancing Seed Systems Through Collaboration and Innovation,” brought together stakeholders from the seed sector in 12 African countries to share best practices and develop collaborations to address the challenges bedeviling the seed sector.

Speaking at the opening Session of the learning event, Mr. Jonathan Said, Vice President, Center for Technical Expertise, AGRA, highlighted the importance of collaborations in addressing challenges in the seed sector in Africa. “True coordination comes from working together to solve specific problems, not just within government or the private sector, but by bridging gaps across research, policy, and industry,” Mr. Said stated. “The collaboration needed in the seed sector is about understanding the challenges faced by our colleagues in other domains and forming a unified effort to strengthen the entire system,” he emphasized.

 AGRA, through CESSA, is working with African governments to enhance seed systems, drive agricultural transformation and improve livelihoods. Some of the interventions include training 653 breeders, supporting the establishment of 110 small and medium-sized seed companies, advocating policy reforms, and developing digital tools for better seed quality control.

Dr. George Bigirwa, the Director, CESSA, highlighted AGRA’s work in advocating policy reforms to support the growth and development of seed systems in Africa. “AGRA’s policy initiatives focus on liberalizing production of early generation seeds that enable both public and private entities to meet the growing demand for diverse and adaptable seed varieties,” Dr. Bigirwa said.

AGRA is working with regulatory agencies to support the development of robust seed quality standards to ensure farmers get access to high-quality seeds. This has encouraged private sector investment and increased the release of numerous climate-smart and resilient varieties which has contributed to increased crop yields and improved farmer incomes.

AGRA has developed the Seed System Assessment Tool (SeedSAT), an innovative approach that provides a structured approach for governments and other stakeholders to systematically identify gaps and weaknesses in national seed systems across various thematic areas. The SeedSAT gives a framework for structured assessment, thereby facilitating data-driven decisions and targeted interventions to strengthen seed production, distribution, and adoption.

“Through the insights gained from SeedSAT, governments and organizations can identify priority areas for investment and allocate resources more effectively to address critical challenges in seed systems,” Dr. Bigirwa said.

The tool has so far been used in close to 22 countries to address the challenges in the seed sector. For instance, data and insights from SeedSAT have been used to develop Seed Investment Plans for countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana, and Nigeria, to improve seed systems with the approval of the respective ministries of agriculture.  

AGRA also tracks progress using the Seed System Performance Index (SSPI), which evaluates national seed systems against specific indicators, providing a quick assessment of how countries are performing in terms of seed system development. The Index provides a standardized measure to assess the effectiveness of seed systems in different countries for comparison and benchmarking against best practices.

“We use insights from the SSPI to focus our efforts on countries with low scores to implement strategies that will drive improvements in seed quality and availability.” Dr. Bigirwa said.

In a keynote address, Dr. Claid Mujaju, the Director, Research and Specialists Services, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe, discussed the benefits of the regional variety release and registration systems, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He emphasized the need for a simple, cost-effective system that aligns with regional initiatives and supports farmer access to the best varieties. He noted that regional seed systems should be designed to enhance seed security through streamlined processes, reduced costs, and improved integration between national and regional variety catalogues to empower farmers and promote agricultural resilience in the region.

The SADC Harmonized Seed Regulatory System includes a regional variety catalogue that facilitates cross-border access to crop varietal choices. For instance, countries like Angola, Eswatini, and Mozambique have benefited from the availability of varieties through regional variety catalogues. “The system promotes the availability of crop varietal choices which leads to a more diverse and resilient seed system across the region,” Dr. Mujaju said.

The Seed Industry Stakeholders Learning Event highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in improving seed systems in Africa. AGRA’s continued efforts in seed system development are vital for enhancing food security, increasing farmer incomes, and strengthening resilience to climate change on the continent.