Call for contributions in support of ISSD Africa Action Learning Project 1: Resilient and diverse seed systems

In recent years, the Wageningen Center for Development and Innovation, and Bioversity International, in collaboration with international and national partners, have researched the effectiveness of crop and variety biodiversity as an adaptive and resilient practice. Increased adaptive capacity and resilience can contribute to positive livelihood outcomes, such as food security and good health. Mobilizing crop and variety biodiversity has been based on the following theory of action.

Having better access to crop/tree and varietal diversity provides farmers an opportunity to diversify the production, management, harvesting and marketing of crops/trees in space and over time more effectively. Making use of more and higher quality diversity can benefit natural resource management, household consumption, nutrition and health. It could also lead to new (farm) business and marketing opportunities. Overall, it could lead to an increased capacity to foresee and deal with shocks, e.g. through a distribution of farming uncertainties and risks in space and time.

In addition, better use of biodiversity could contribute to improved resource management, e.g. the use of leguminous crops as organic fertilizer in fields with mixed, rotation and strip cropping (this is a form of sustainable intensification and could serve as a mitigation measure). Improved agro-ecological resource management can contribute to making the farm more productive and/or efficient. Strengthened adaptive capacity of the farm (unit/household) can result in greater food availability throughout the year and availability of more and more diverse nutritious and healthy crops. It can also offer opportunities for income generation through development of product value chains and the sale of (surplus) production, including seeds. Supportive policies can further make biodiversity work for adapation.  

A first set of case studies were published in 2021 under the previous ISSD Africa phase.

  • Vernooy, R.; Adokorach, J.; Coulibaly, H.; Fadda, C.; Jeko, M.; Kakeeto, R.; Kasasa, P.; Sikitu Kazungu, J.; Mapanda, S.; Mollel, M.; Wasswa Mulumba, J.; Mushita, A.; Nyamongo, D.; Otieno, G.; Recha, T.; Sidibe, A.; Simiu, G.; Wanjala, B.; Wahome, P.; and L’Équipe de L’Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi. 2021.Mobilizing crop diversity for climate change adaptation and resilience: field experiences from Africa.ISSD Africa 2021-3. https://doi.org/10.18174/553632
  • Vernooy, R.; Adokorach, J.; Coulibaly, H.; Fadda, C.; Jeko, M.; Kakeeto, R.; Kasasa, P.; Sikitu Kazungu, J.; Mapanda, S.; Mollel, M.; Wasswa Mulumba, J.; Mushita, A.; Nyamongo, D.; Otieno, G.; Recha, T.; Sidibe, A.; Simiu, G.; Wanjala, B.; Wahome, P.; and L’Équipe de L’Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi. 2021. Crop diversity, climate change and adaptation: good practice cases from Africa. Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Italy. https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/115140

Call for case new studies

As part of the Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa (ISSD Africa) program’s activities for 2024, the Action Learning Project 1 on Diverse and resilient seed systems is interested to learn about other inspiring examples of mobilizing crop and variety biodiversity for adaptation and resilience along the lines of the above theory of action.

We intend to collect, compare and publish case studies from the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and Central Africa. See below the case study outline.

If you are interested to contribute, please send an expression of interest, outlining your case study (150 words summary), to Beatrice C. Misaka Langwa, at the University of Juba, South Sudan, beatricelangwa@gmail.com

Case study outline: maximum 3,000 words excluding references

Background

  • Problem/opportunity addressed
  • Research questions to be answered
  • Theory of action/change
  • Location(s) and actors involved

Methodology

  • Methods and tools used
  • Use of social and gender analysis (gender focused cases are welcomed)
  • Activities carried out

Results

  • Compared to the theory of action/change
  • Major outcomes, constraints and challenges

Conclusions and lessons learned

Contact:
If you are interested to contribute, please send an expression of interest, outlining your case study (150 words summary), to Beatrice C. Misaka Langwa, at the University of Juba, South Sudan, beatricelangwa@gmail.com