In the spirit of iterative learning, Seed Systems Group (SSG) and Farm Inputs Promotion (FIPS-Africa) hosted our 2024 Annual Learning Workshop November 19-21 in Kenya. We brought together frontline implementors from the 15 countries where SSG and FIPS operate, including seed companies, public crop breeders, and public and private providers of extension services. Our key takeaway from the meeting:  Exciting progress towards sustainable seed systems is being achieved in these previously neglected countries.

In multiple formats, the group discussed how the SSG-FIPS strategy for building farmer-centered seed systems can be successfully adapted to local contexts by local partners working together toward a common goal.  

We also took stock of the tangible outputs of the past 3.5 years of SSG/FIPS collaboration, including:

• 268 variety trails conducted leading to the release of 63 improved varieties of key food crops
• 52.5 MT of Early Generation Seeds produced by NARS
• 4,235.4 MT of certified seed produced by 48 local seed companies, including 12 led by women seed entrepreneurs
• 4,333 Village Based Advisors recruited and trained
• 1.9 million small packs of new varieties shared with 791,442 farmers
• 185 agro-dealers recruited and trained
• 59 formal training sessions
• 10 M.Sc. fellowships in plant breeding awarded

Other important observations were:

1. Farmer demand for seed is high and increasing rapidly due to heightened farmer awareness from the VBA/small seed pack campaigns.
   • There is an urgent need to invest in the local seed enterprises and to support existing seed companies to increase their capacity to inject additional seed into markets
   • Seed companies have reduced their seed packaging sizes from 50, 30, 25 kg bags to 1, 2, 5, and 10 kg packages.
2. Free seed distribution by NGOs and multi-lateral institutions, however, is distorting seed markets.
   • However, it was reported that governments are beginning to put control measures e.g. requiring NGOs engaged in free seed distributions to buy certified seed from local seed companies.
3. Development of retail seed supplies (agro-dealers, seed sellers, etc.) is lagging.
   • Future investment in these countries needs to emphasize local seed vendors.
4. Governments are moving away from dependence on imported seed due to high transit costs and risks imposed by drought in exporting countries.
   • Highlighting need to help local enterprises increase domestic seed production.
5. The limited quantity of EGS produced each year by NARS cannot cover the demand of private companies.
   • As part of strategies to address this gap, advocacy for liberalization of the sector is imperative. For example, by allowing the private sector to produce basic seeds.
6. Taking into account farmers’ preferences.
   • It is important to diversify the crops and varieties offered to farmers by listening and taking into account their preferences.
7. The importance of employing other approaches to increase farmer awareness.
   • Apart from the small pack technology, other approaches must be used to raise awareness among farmers about improved seeds, taking into account the country context.
8. Sustainability of the VBA/Small pack model.
   • There is a need for continuous training of VBAs and farmers, such as in soil health.
   • Linking seed companies to VBAs to become semi-commercial suppliers.
   • Identify dynamic VBAs and train and graduate them to become agro-dealers.
   • Help VBAs diversify their activities so that they are operational throughout the year.
9. Ensure good and continuous collaboration between extension agents and VBAs.
   • For sustainable collaboration, it is important to plan activities together with public extension to avoid duplication and friction.

The past 3.5 years of activity have demonstrated that every farmer, no matter how small they may be, can be reached with high quality seed in the most remote villages.  The event concluded by emphasizing the necessity of long-term and adequately funded initiatives for building strong seed systems.

Onward!