Crises across the world are increasingly disrupting farmers’ ability to access a sufficient and reliable supply of quality seed, one of their most vital resources. Traditional seed aid, often delivered through repeated distributions, can unintentionally weaken local markets and create dependency.
The Ten Guiding Principles for Good Seed Aid (10P), developed by Seed System and Mercy Corps under ISSD Africa ALP2, offer a pathway toward more sustainable, locally-led seed aid that strengthens rather than undermines local systems. The 10P have attracted broad support from seed system leaders—including individuals at FAO, USAID/BHA, the Seed for Food Coalition, Plantum, and several international NGOs—and have been formally endorsed by the regional government of Tigray.
On August 20, 2025, ISSD Africa (in partnership with the PRO-WASH & SCALE award) convened humanitarian and government actors in Kampala, Uganda, to explore how the 10P can guide more effective, market-based seed responses. Participants from NGOs and government agencies (including the Office of the Prime Minister and National Seed Certification Service) unanimously voiced support for the 10P as a valuable framework for improving seed security. They reflected on barriers such as weak seed quality assurance, political influence in procurement, and limited awareness of market-based approaches, while highlighting opportunities to strengthen coordination and elevate farmers’ voices in decision-making.
The dialogue generated strong momentum for collaboration, with several organizations pledging to champion national endorsement of the 10P and integrate them into their own programs. As Uganda faces rising humanitarian needs and an expanding refugee population, this marks an important step toward seed aid that is timely, high-quality, and responsive to farmers’ realities.
Check out the workshop summary report here for detailed insights, key takeaways and next steps.