African innovation for vibrant, pluralist and market-oriented seed sectors
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New animation: Ten Guiding Principles of Good Seed Aid Practice
Across fragile states in Africa, conflict and other protracted crises as well as increasing climate stresses, are compounding smallholder farmers’ challenges of accessing and using sufficient amounts of high quality, affordable and diversified seed of locally adapted varieties that farmers prefer. The result is lower resilience to continued shocks and stresses, lower farm income, reduced… Read more
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Passing of Dr. Hannington Odame, CABE Africa, Kenya
It is with great sadness, that we share that Dr. Hannington Odame, a long-time and valued member of the ISSD Africa Community has passed away. Dr. Odame has led many activities and events with ISSD Africa, and his loss is felt deeply by all of us. On behalf of the entire ISSD Africa Community of… Read more
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Passing of Mr. Josiah Wobil, AfricaSeeds, Ghana
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mr. Josiah Wobil. On behalf of the entire ISSD Africa Community of Practice, we extend our deep condolences to Josiah’s family, friends and colleagues. Josiah was a remarkable leader who made significant contributions to the transformation of the seed sector in multiple countries… Read more
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ISSD Africa topical synthesis briefs
Since 2019, ISSD Africa topic leads and partners have been conducting collaborative action research and facilitating dialogue and learning with stakeholders and networks working to transform Africa’s seed sector. Much of the outputs and outcomes of these activities have been presented, discussed and validated in ISSD Africa’s events and the outputs are to be found… Read more
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RTB Tools4SeedSystems Virtual Workshop, May 23 & 25, Online
This two-day workshop focuses on Tools4SeedSystems, a toolbox for enhancing resilience through root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops in humanitarian settings. The first day’s session will introduce participants to RTB crops and seed systems, and the RTB Toolbox as a set of evolving resources to understand seed systems and to improve interventions. The second day’s session will focus on understanding the specific context for humanitarian interventions and what this… Read more
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Watch: Exploring the ‘Champion Farmer Business Model’ for more inclusive seed delivery
Making the seed system more effective and inclusive is an essential starting point for improving smallholder farmers’ productivity and livelihoods. Under the ISSD Africa topic on Gender Dynamics in Seed Systems, ACRE Africa, KALRO FARMING, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Wageningen University & Research – have been researching the ‘Champion Farmer’ business model for seed-related support to marginalised, particularly… Read more
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Policies, laws, and regulations in support of farmer-managed seed systems: still a long way to go. A review of 14 countries in Africa.
The main finding of this review report of seed (related) policies and laws in 14 African countries is that, although in most countries there is some form of acknowledgment that farmer-managed seed systems exist, there are not many positive results related to recognition of and concrete support for farmer-managed seed systems (policy, legal, technical, operational,… Read more
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An investors’ guide to Africa’s emerging seed markets: Report of the research on generating seed market intelligence
Fragmented market intelligence is a major barrier to investment in Africa’s emerging seed markets. There is significant demand for a service of assessing the attractiveness of emerging seed markets in Africa for (impact) investment. The service should go beyond collating relevant information from diverse sources, by interpreting it and making informed recommendations to (impact) investors.… Read more
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South Sudan: Building a robust, inclusive, sustainable and resilient seed sector
The first South Sudan Seed Hub event was organised by the University of Juba, at their campus 8-12 September 2022. The event brought 51 national and international seed professionals together. This first event was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in South Sudan (MAFS), the Directorate of Agricultural Research (DAR),… Read more
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Reflections and learning from the ISSD Africa Synthesis Conference
In October 2022, over 170 global professionals participated in the ISSD Africa Synthesis Conference. Together, they shaped the 3rd Communiqué on ISSD in Africa. As the synthesis event for this phase of ISSD Africa, the conference was an opportunity to discuss the wide array of ISSD Africa and partner initiative innovations arising from collective action… Read more