Launch of new paper: Seed System Security Assessment (SSSA) in 10 Districts of Afar, Somali and Tigray Regions, Ethiopia.
This newly released report synthesizes findings from a Seed System Security Assessment (SSSA), conducted by Mercy Corps under the Ethiopian Seed Partnerships (ESP) in May 2025 across 10 districts in the Afar, Somali, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. It examines seed system dynamics in these unique contexts shaped by protracted conflict, climate change, weak institutional support, and severe resource constraints.
The findings indicate a situation of chronic seed insecurity, underpinned by significant structural weaknesses. Farmers rely heavily on informal seed sources, while access to improved varieties remains limited. These constraints are further compounded by recurring drought, ongoing conflict, and poor infrastructure, which together undermine both availability and access to quality seed.
Yet, there are practical opportunities to strengthen seed system resilience. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening existing decentralized seed production model by building-on existing farmer-led and informal systems that are widely trusted and locally adapted. Expanding partnerships among research centers, seed enterprises, and cooperatives—alongside better access to early-generation seed, technical support, and infrastructure—will improve the delivery of locally adapted varieties and create more market-oriented, responsive, and resilient seed systems.
- Expanding the availability of diverse varieties, particularly regionally adapted crop varieties by promoting participatory research platforms that link breeders, farmers, and development actors to jointly test and select locally adapted varieties. Supporting on-farm demonstration trials and variety portfolios will enhance farmer acceptance and ensure relevance to local conditions. Building farmers’ capacity in seed production, management, and post-harvest practices—alongside promoting sustainable local multiplication and market-based distribution—will improve access to quality seed, increase awareness of improved varieties, and strengthen decentralized, farmer-driven seed systems.
- Supporting decentralized quality assurance systems by building farmer and local actor capacity through training, promoting collective action, and institutionalizing community-based quality assurance systems, while reinforcing linkages with formal regulatory frameworks to ensure consistency, credibility, and trust.
- Promote Market-Based Seed Access and Private-Sector Engagement such as strengthening last-mile delivery and linkages among seed producers, agro-dealers, and local retailers to ensure timely access to quality seed in underserved areas. Stimulate demand through inclusive mechanisms such as seed fairs and voucher systems that support farmer choice while building local markets. Incentivize private-sector engagement with targeted support for climate-resilient seed production and improved access to early generation seed. Formalizing and building the capacity of local seed traders will further integrate informal channels into quality-assured, sustainable seed distribution systems.
- Strengthening coordination, regulation, and institutional support to address fragmented roles and weak oversight in the seed systems such as revitalizing multi-stakeholder seed platforms and improving alignment among regional bureaus, research centers, NGOs, and private actors. Enhancing regulatory capacity, particularly in seed quality control, certification, and varietal release, and aligning efforts with the Ten Guiding Principles for Good Seed Aid to support a more coherent, market-based, and resilient seed system.
These findings underscore the urgency and opportunity for coordinated, locally grounded, and market-oriented action; the full report offers critical insights and practical pathways for stakeholders committed to building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready seed systems across Tigray, Afar, and Somali.