Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa (ISSD Africa)

Lack of access to quality seed of local and improved varieties is one of the main issues hindering productivity increase in Africa.

Seed sector development efforts in Africa have almost entirely been based on the European model of breeding, seed certification, commercial seed multiplication and marketing by seed enterprises. This approach has fallen short in delivering inclusive access to quality seed to the diversity of African farmers.

Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) offers an alternative mode of thinking and operating to develop seed sectors that respond to the diversity of needs of African farmers, women and men, and are tailored to national realities. It cherishes the diversity of systems and pathways by which seed of different crops is produced, exchanged, and used for and by farmers with different needs. ISSD recognizes the value of formal, intermediary and informal seed systems.

Improved access to affordable, diverse and adapted seed varieties for smallholders through improved integrated seed systems.

This is expected to lead to increased livelihood resilience with higher farm income, improved food and nutrition security and the sustainable use of agrobiodiversity and ecosystems.

The primary target group of ISSD Africa are seed sector professionals and policy makers in Africa, at national and at continental levels.

The ultimate beneficiaries are the seed users, especially smallholder farmers, women and men, across the African continent that benefit from improved seed sectors due to the integration of ISSD Africa derived insights.

• Africa-grown solutions to complex seed sector challenges developed
• Integration of ISSD Africa derived insights in seed sector interventions and seed sector policies supported
• Enabling structure for the effective management and facilitation of the community of practice of seed sector professionals operational

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• Eight action learning projects implemented and synthesis papers developed (Developing the seed sector in fragile states; Effective seed insecurity response; Agrobiodiversity, seed and climate change; Enabling seed policies; Enhancing seed quality assurance; Business models for early generation seed; Creating demand for quality seed; Gender dynamics in seed systems)
• International policy dialogues facilitated
• International management unit and African support units operational and action learning projects supported

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

2014 – 2017, without SDC participation:

• Nine synthesis papers published (e.g. the support for farmer-led seed systems in African seed laws; Making business out of low-profit seed; Access and benefit-sharing policies for climate-resilient seed systems), presented and discussed in ten national and three international workshops

2018 – 2019, entry phase with SDC participation:

• Eight action learning projects elaborated
• ISSD Africa partnership and management structure built and formalized

Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Africa Seeds, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Mercy Corps, CGIAR Centres

SDC Global Programme Food Security: Improving seed systems for smallholder farmers’ food security;

SDC East and Southern Africa Division: Strengthening Agro-Biodiversity in Southern Africa, Pan African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA); and

SDC West Africa Division: Opérationnalisation de la filière semencière au Tchad

Phase 1 01.08.2018 - 28.02.2023   (Completed)