CGIAR Initiative on Seed Equal

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/117887

Part of the CGIAR Action Area on Genetic Innovation

Primary CGIAR impact area: Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs

https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/06-seedqual-delivering-genetic-gains-in-farmers-fields/

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 342

Once bitten, twice shy? Direct and indirect effects of weather shocks on fertilizer and improved seeds use
(Journal Article, 2025-05) Mulungu, Kelvin H.; Manning, Dale T.; Bozzola, Martina
Evidence suggests that negative weather shocks, such as droughts, can influence input use in agriculture by reducing available income and shaping farmers' behavioral responses. Yet, the relative importance of these two pathways remains unclear. This study proposes a method to disentangle the direct (behavioral) and indirect (income) effects of a drought shock on the use of inorganic fertilizer and improved maize seed. We employed a two-way fixed-effects regression combined with causal mediation analysis and entropy balancing to account for income endogeneity on a rich farm-level data from 6058 smallholder households in Zambia in 2012 and 2015. Our results show that farmers who experienced a drought in the previous growing season are less likely to use inorganic fertilizer but more likely to use improved seeds. The indirect income effect accounts for approximately 10% of the total effect for both inputs, amplifying the direct effect for inorganic fertilizer while diminishing it for improved seeds. The contribution of the indirect effect increases with the severity of drought shocks, although the direct effect remains the dominant channel. We also provide suggestive evidence that changes in risk aversion drive behavioral responses, while access to credit mitigates the income effect. These results highlight how drought shocks influence the timing and type of technology adopted in agriculture. Understanding the relative importance of these direct and indirect effects offers critical insights for policies aimed at enhancing climate change adaptation and agricultural productivity in the developing world.
Does better information drive better seed choices? Experimental evidence from Kenya
(Preprint, 2025-09) Ndegwa, Michael; Bulinda, Collins; Kariuki, Sarah Wairimu; Donovan, Jason; Rutsaert, Pieter; Jaleta, Moti
Despite advances in hybrid maize performance in Kenya, many farmers continue planting varieties released over two decades ago. Farmer experimentation with and use of relatively newer hybrids is crucial to improve regional food security, especially amid the increasing pressures of climate change. This study uses a randomized controlled trial to assess the degree to which contextually relevant and product-specific performance information influences farmer seed choice. Farmers in the treatment group received yield data for ten hybrids grown by farmers in the previous growing season in their county, while those in the control group received placebo information unrelated to seed selection. The intervention tripled farmers' intent to buy top-performing hybrids (from 7% to 27%) and more than doubled actual purchases (from 5% to 13%). Stockouts prevented some intended purchases, but treated farmers were still more likely to choose these hybrids. This study highlights a critical gap: farmers tend to lack independent and credible up-todate information on seed performance. Investing in rigorous testing of currently available hybrids and improving how results are shared with farmers can help address this issue. Providing credible performance data can support better decision-making, speed up varietal turnover, and strengthen seed systems in Kenya and beyond.
Effects of information and price promotions on farmer experimentation with new maize hybrids
(Preprint, 2025-08) Kariuki, Sarah Wairimu; Muteti, F.N.; Donovan, Jason; Rutsaert, Pieter; Ndegwa, Michael Kariuki; Mbugua, Mercy
Varietal turnover in maize seed systems in sub-Saharan Africa remains slower than expected, despite significant public and private investment in breeding and seed commercialization. Encouraging farmers to experiment with new hybrids could accelerate adoption and facilitate the replacement of outdated seed products. This study evaluates the impact of point-of-sale information and price promotions on farmer purchases of new maize hybrids in Kenya, using a randomized controlled trial with 1,790 farmers intercepted at agro-dealer shops. We tracked farmers' seed choices immediately after the intervention and again in the following season, eight months later. Informational messages that highlighted the benefits of new hybrids and recommended specific hybrids increased the likelihood that farmers purchased these seeds. Combining information with a price discount increased both the likelihood of purchase and the quantity of seed bought. Follow-up data show that discount-induced experimentation translated into continued use, suggesting that farmers were willing to pay full price after the initial trial. These findings underscore the potential of modest targeted retail interventions to overcome adoption frictions and accelerate varietal turnover.
Improving access to new technologies: An experiment with Kenyan input sellers
(Preprint, 2025-06) Kariuki, Sarah Wairimu; Muteti, Francisca; Maertens, Annemie; Ndegwa, Michael Kariuki; Michelson, Hope; Mbugua, Mercy; Donovan, Jason
Small and medium enterprises in low income countries are key actors in the introduction and diffusion of new technologies. However, demand uncertainty can discourage small retailers from stocking newer, less familiar products, limiting the availability of innovative technologies and leading to the persistence of outdated but well-established products. In this study, we provided Kenyan agrodealers with a 10% price discount on new, drought tolerant maize hybrids. The discount increased the likelihood that the agrodealer stocked the new hybrids and increased the share of the new hybrids in overall sales. Effects were strongest among risk-averse dealers. The discount encouraged dealers to gather more information about the seeds, resulting in better-informed recommendations to farmers. Although it did not lower retail prices, the discount increased sellers' advisory efforts. Our findings show that modest incentives can shift agrodealer behavior and spur technology diffusion in rural markets.
Is newer better? The effect of varietal age on real-world maize yield in Kenya
(Preprint, 2025-07) Ndegwa, Michael Kariuki; Nyangau, Paul N.; Kariuki, Sarah Wairimu; Jaleta, Moti; Michelson, Hope; Cairns, Jill
Maize varietal turnover is widely promoted across Sub-Saharan Africa to improve crop productivity and increase food security, yet its impact on yields remains poorly understood amid heterogeneous agroecological and socioeconomic conditions. This study quantifies the yield effects of varietal age in Kenya using a three-wave panel survey (2023-2024) of 4,160 smallholder households across Kenya. Using entropy balancing and weighted regression models to isolate the effect of varietal age on maize yield, we find a strong and consistent relationship between varietal age and yield. New varieties yield 147 kg/ha more than old ones in the long rains and 91 kg/ha more in the short rains. Finer age categorization reveals that switching to ultra-new varieties (0-5 years) delivers the highest gains-360 kg/ha over ultra-old varieties (21+ years) in the long rains and 269 kg/ha in the short rains. These findings suggest that slow varietal turnover carries significant opportunity costs in the form of forgone yield gains. While farmers generally perceive new varieties favorably-particularly for yield potential, early maturity and grain quality-concerns around labor intensity and resilience remain, potentially dampening adoption. Providing farmers with clear, locally relevant performance data and opportunities for on-farm experimentation can help shift perceptions and support wider uptake. Policies and programs that expand access to newer, better-performing varieties and strengthen seed quality assurance are essential for translating genetic gains into productivity improvements across Kenya's bimodal maize production systems.
OrchardQuant-3D: Combining drone and LiDAR to perform scalable 3D phenotyping for characterising key canopy and floral traits in fruit orchards
(Journal Article, 2025-11) Xia, Yunpeng; Li, Hanghang; Zhang, Fanhang; Sun, Gang; Qi, Kaijie; Jackson, Robert; Pinheiro, Felipe; Liu, Xiaoman; Mu, Yue; Zhang, Shaoling; Deakin, Greg; Whitfield, E. Charles; Tao, Shutian; Zhou, Ji
Orchard fruits such as pear and apple are important for ensuring global food security and agricultural economy as they not only provide essential nutrients, but also support biodiversity and ecosystem services. Breeders, growers and plant researchers constantly study desirable tree morphological features and floral characteristics to ensure fruit production and quality. Still, traditional orchard phenotyping is often laborious, limited in scale and prone-to-error, resulting in many attempts to develop reliable and scalable toolkits to address this challenge. Here, we present OrchardQuant-3D, an analytic pipeline for automating tree-level analysis of key canopy and floral traits for different types of fruit orchards. We first built a data fusion algorithm to register 3D point clouds collected by both drones (for colour signals) and Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR, for precise spatial properties), reconstructing high-quality 3D orchard models at different growth stages. Then, we utilised precise global navigation satellite system signals to position trees in orchards with millimetre-level accuracy, enabling tree-level analysis of key canopy (e.g. crown volume and the number or branches) and floral traits (e.g. blossom clusters and volumes) using 3D computer vision, complex graph theory and feature engineering techniques. Equipped with the OrchardQuant-3D pipeline, we successfully measured varietal differences of four pear cultivars from a small pear orchard in Nanjing China, followed by a scale-up study that surveyed 3D tree morphologies, key floral and fruit traits from 1104 apple trees in an orchard in East Malling, United Kingdom. To the best of our knowledge, such a multi-source, comprehensive and expandable methodology has not yet been introduced to this important research domain. Hence, we believe that our work demonstrates a step change in our ability to conduct scalable 3D orchard phenotyping, which is highly valuable to advance orchard breeding, precise tree management and orchard research greatly to sustain fruit tree production in a rapidly changing climate.
Maize varietal turnover in eastern Africa: Current challenges and future research directions
(Journal Article, 2025) De Groote, Hugo; Kariuki, Sarah W.; Ndegwa, Michael K.; Mbugua, Mercy; Chivasa, Walter; Debello, Moti Jaleta
Mapping the design and implementation of seed sector regulation: The case of Rwanda
(Working Paper, 2025-11-11) Kuhlmann, Katrin; Nalinya, Adron Naggayi; Spielman, David J.; Francis, Tara
Rwanda’s seed sector is changing, with clear signs of a move towards greater responsiveness to market actors and forces and new investments in the production and distribution of improved varieties and quality seed to farmers. This study examines how the country’s legal and regulatory systems support—or constrain—the development and delivery of improved varieties and quality seed in light of these changes. Using a Regulatory Systems Mapping (RSM) approach, the study assesses four core areas of Rwanda’s seed sector: variety registration and release, early generation seed (EGS) production and distribution, seed quality assurance, and seed trade. The analysis integrates stakeholder perspectives from across the public and private sectors, highlighting critical implementation bottlenecks, institutional coordination gaps, and areas where laws diverge from practice. Findings show that while Rwanda has made significant strides in advancing a market-oriented vision for its seed sector and aligning with regional frameworks such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), systemic issues persist, including limited clarity on appeals processes, underdeveloped quality control infrastructure, and insufficient support for private sector breeding and farmer-based enterprises. The study offers targeted, time-bound recommendations for improving regulatory effectiveness, promoting inclusive participation (especially by women and farmer groups), and operationalizing flexibilities that suit Rwanda’s seed sector. By focusing on both regulatory design and implementation realities, this work aims to support ongoing policy reform and investment efforts in Rwanda’s seed sector.
Elementos estratégicos del CIP para la difusión y posicionamiento de los resultados de la biofortificación de la papa en el Perú
(Report, 2025) Ordinola, M.; Andrade-Piedra, J.L.; Burgos, G.; Hareau, G.; Pérez, W.; Salas, E.; Pradel, W.; Polar, V.
El documento presenta la estrategia institucional del CIP para posicionar los resultados de biofortificación de papa en el Perú, desarrollada mediante fitomejoramiento convencional para aumentar el contenido de hierro y zinc en variedades locales y mejoradas. El propósito es reducir la anemia y la desnutrición crónica infantil, especialmente en zonas rurales altoandinas. La estrategia abarca cinco ejes: promoción del consumo, producción de semilla de calidad, fortalecimiento de cadenas de valor, alianzas público-privadas y organización interna del CIP. Incluye fases progresivas de visibilización (2025), consolidación (2026–2028) y difusión nacional (2028 en adelante). Se destaca su enfoque multisectorial, articulando agricultura, nutrición y políticas públicas bajo un marco de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional sostenible.
The role of genotyping in measuring improved variety adoption and impact: Advances, challenges, and policy directions
(Journal Article, 2025-11) Melesse, Mequanint B.; Maredia, Mywish K.; Wossen, Tesfamicheal; Odeny, Damaris; Spielman, David J.; Michelson, Hope; Waza, Showkat Ahmad; Kamunye, Kelvin; Alene, Arega; Dar, Manzoor H.; Afari-Sefa, Victor; Pingali, Prabhu
Accurate measurement of agricultural technology adoption is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of investments in agricultural research and development. While household surveys have long served as the primary tool for tracking varietal adoption, growing evidence reveals systematic mismatches between self-reported and DNA verified varietal identity. These mismatches arise from distinct local and scientific varietal nomenclatures, complex seed systems, and high varietal release rates. This review examines the emerging role of genotyping, particularly DNA fingerprinting, as a complementary method for varietal identification and adoption measurement. Drawing on a growing body of studies across crops and geographies, we assess how DNA fingerprinting alters adoption estimates, reveals patterns of varietal misclassification, and enhances our understanding of seed system performance. We identify critical design considerations for implementing DNA fingerprinting at scale, including sampling strategies, reference library construction, and integration with standard household surveys. The review also highlights methodological innovations to reduce DNA fingerprinting costs and explores how fingerprinting can inform monitoring, evaluation, and scaling of agricultural innovations. Finally, we outline key research and policy priorities to mainstream DNA fingerprinting into national agricultural systems and to support more evidence-based, accountable, and equitable food policy.
Scaling climate-smart agriculture through community seed systems and participatory demonstrations in Senegal
(Brief, 2025-10-23) Mathew, Akinseye Folorunso; Zagre, Inoussa; Faye, Aliou; Bruno, Junior; Ndiaye, Papa Mbar; Worou, Nadine
Community seed systems combined with participatory demonstrations are driving the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in Senegal. Implemented by ICRISAT and ISRA-CERAAS under the AICCRA project, the initiative strengthens local seed production, ensures access to improved millet and groundnut varieties, and enhances smallholder resilience across four clusters: Meouane, Thiel, Daga Birame, and Koumpentoum. By integrating locally adapted varieties with climate-smart practices, the program fosters farmer ownership and sustainability in seed supply chains. Through small community plots (0.5 ha millet; 0.25 ha groundnut) involving 27 farmers, as well as mini-pack distributions to 144 farmers, the project applied formal agreements committing 10% of harvests for seed redistribution. Estimated outputs total 19,000 kg of millet seed and 4,000 kg of groundnut pods from community plots, plus 24,000 kg of millet and 2,400 kg of groundnut from mini-pack plots—benefiting over 1,000 farmers. These systems improve seed quality, local adaptation, and inclusivity, bolstering resilience and food security.
Signaling, screening, or sunk costs? Experimental evidence on how prices affect agricultural technology adoption in East Africa
(Working Paper, 2025-10-24) Van Campenhout, Bjorn; Abate, Gashaw T.; Colen, Liesbeth; Kramer, Berber
Free samples are a widely used strategy to introduce new products or technologies, offering prospective users the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and potentially facilitate diffusion through social networks. However, concerns remain that giving away products for free may reduce their perceived value, increasing the risk that recipients will underutilize, repurpose, or resell the product rather than use it for its intended purpose. We explore three mechanisms through which charging a positive price may increase uptake, intended use and subsequent adoption of a new technology: (1) a signaling effect, where a positive price conveys higher product quality; (2) a screening effect, whereby payment deters users who do not value the product and targets those more likely to use it; and (3) a sunk cost effect, where paying a positive price induces a psychological commitment to use. We test how these pricing mechanisms shape uptake, use, and subsequent adoption of recently released seed varieties of staple food crops, drawing on a field experiment with smallholder farmers in Uganda and Ethiopia. We find that willingness to pay is a reliable predictor of subsequent use of seed trial packs, pointing to the value of modest prices for targeting likely adopters. At the same time, sunk cost effects are context specific and often negative, suggesting that charging farmers can reduce their ability or willingness to experiment. These findings carry important implications for how pricing strategies can be designed to promote technology adoption in low-income settings.
Promoting equitable access to quality seeds: The impact of social and behaviour change interventions among smallholder rice farmers in Butaleja, Uganda
(Report, 2025-10) Bomuhangi, Allan; Yila, Jummai
This endline evaluation assesses the impact of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions on equitable access to and adoption of quality rice varieties among smallholder farmers in Butaleja District, Uganda. Using a cross-sectional survey design with quasi-experimental methods, the analysis compares 298 treated farmers against 128 control farmers, supplemented by qualitative data from 7 focus group discussions and 13 key informant interviews. The findings highlighted a positive treatment effect across key metrics. Awareness of improved rice varieties reached 95% among treated farmers, compared with the 80% observed in the control group. Ninety-one (91%) percent of the farmers in the treatment group adopted at least one improved variety compared to 42% at baseline and 73% in the control group. This adoption was not only extensive but also intensive, as treated farmers allocated a larger land area to improved varieties (2.3 acres on average) compared to control farmers (1.7 acres). The interventions also induced a shift towards more intensive and knowledge-based production systems, evidenced by a markedly higher rate of inorganic fertilizer use among treated farmers (70%) compared to control groups (25%). The economic prediction is positive, with farmers forecasting a yield increase of 25.86% per acre attributable to the SBC strategies. Furthermore, the project achieved its equity objectives, successfully enhancing the participation of women and youth and fostering local networks for seed access and knowledge sharing, indicating a strong potential for sustaining these net benefits beyond the project's lifecycle.
Constraints and promising interventions to strengthen fish seed systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Ghana
(Journal Article, 2026-01) Ragasa, Catherine; Kruijssen, Froukje; Agyakwah, Seth Koranteng; Mensah, Emmanuel Tetteh-Doku; Asmah, Ruby; Ataa-Asantewaa, Martha; Amewu, Sena; Loison, Sarah Alobo
CONTEXT Aquaculture has surpassed capture fisheries in terms of production and is among the fastest growing food sectors. It has great potential to contribute to food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, jobs, and environmental sustainability. Fish seed is increasingly considered to be a major driver and disabler of aquaculture development. However, little is known about how fish seed systems operate, their challenges and opportunities, or entry points for strengthening them. OBJECTIVE This study analyzes primary data on the challenges and opportunities faced by various actors along the fish seed chain, documents the lessons from a fish seed project (Ghana Tilapia Seed Project, 2019–2022), and provides an analysis of entry points for strengthening fish seed systems. METHODS Using an analytical framework that tracks germplasm base, seed production and quality, seed availability and distribution, and the information flow along the fish seed value chain, we analyze the case of Ghana, the top producer of farmed tilapia in sub-Saharan Africa. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including value chain analysis, action-oriented research methods, and statistical analysis of survey data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that the initial rapid growth in tilapia production in Ghana was partly due to an improved local strain released in 2004; however, the recent stagnation is largely caused by seed-related issues (poor maintenance and improvement of germplasm base, seed quality and availability, lack of information and coordination, and lack of enforcement of regulations). This study highlights the successes and lessons learned from the Ghana Tilapia Seed Project on broodstock distribution, training on fingerling production, establishment of nurseries, and training of fish farmers. The lessons highlight the need for policy changes and capacity building related to strain development and broodstock management. SIGNIFICANCE These findings fill the large gap in evidence on the functioning of fish seed systems and how to strengthen them. They can directly inform ongoing country-level efforts and programs aiming to develop aquaculture.
Efficacy of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC Stapf) and wild spikenard (Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit) compost on the productivity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
(Journal Article, 2025-06-30) Olasan, O.J.; Aguoru, C.U.; Omoigui, L.; Ngbada, N.A.; Agbulu, I.N.
This study compared the effects of composts from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) (CCT), wild spikenard (Hyptis suaveolens) (HYS) and NPK fertilizers on the growth and yield performances of three varieties of cowpea (FUAMPEA1, FUAMPEA2 and SAMPEA14). A field experiment was designed using the Randomized Complete Block Design of 3 blocks, 3 varieties, 3 treatments, and 5 replications. Plant spread varied between 25.5cm and 114.2cm with an average of 18.5 pods per plant. Number of leaves was significantly higher in FUAMPEA2 (133.5) than other varieties. FUAMPEA1 produced more branches (9.3) than other varieties. Application of NPK fertilizer significantly improved the plant spread (142.4cm) and the number of branches (8.5). Meanwhile, both NPK and HYS had equal effect on leaf length with values of 13.7cm and 13.2cm respectively but they performed better than CCT. Leaf width improved significantly in NPK (6.15 cm) more than compost. The number of flowers remained unvaried among the three varieties whereas varieties differed significantly in all other yield parameters. Number of pods varied between 10.6 pods in SAMPEA14 to 23.2 pods in FUAMPEA2. The latter produced longer pods (13.1cm) and heavier seeds (39.67g/100 seeds) than other varieties. Treatments produced varied responses on all yield parameters (p<0.05). Application of NPK fertilizer significantly influenced the number of pods, flowers and seed weight whereas CCT and HYS had equal effects on these parameters. Pod sizes were significantly higher in CCT (12.54cm), followed by HYS (11.98cm) while NPK produced the shortest pods. Seed sizes were the same in the treatments (p>0.05). The use CCT and HYS composts are recommended to supplement NPK fertilizer as treatments were found to enhance pod and seed sizes only while HYS had positive effects on leaf sizes. They could serve as potential sources of making organic compost to improve soil and enhance productivity of cowpea.
Gendered behavioral drivers in the adoption and sustained use of improved common bean varieties in Eastern Uganda
(Journal Article, 2025-09-02) Lutomia, Cosmas Kweyu; Ayuya, Oscar Ingasia; Yila, Jummai Othniel; Bomuhangi, Allan; Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh
Understanding farmers’ behavior is critical to designing effective training and extension services that increase access to and sustain the use of improved crop varieties. However, a critical gap remains in how to target behavioral change processes effectively. The study explored gender-specific behavioral drivers of access to and sustained use of high-quality common bean seeds in Eastern Uganda. An ordered logit model was used to analyse data collected from 323 common bean men and women farmers. Results indicate that women had greater access to and sustained use of improved common bean varieties. Men and women had equal access to information and training in improved common bean seeds but differed significantly in their perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of the varieties. Regression estimates showed that farmer-to-farmer and peer learning, as well as the perceived net benefits of improved common bean varieties, increased both men’s and women’s access to and sustained use of improved varieties. Training significantly influenced women’s seed access and use behavior, while access to information increased the probability of adoption and continued use among men. Men perceived that gender norms greatly influenced their decisions to adopt common bean varieties. These findings highlight the need for capacity building on the benefits of gender transformative approaches that address gender norms, information dissemination, farmer-to-farmer learning, on-farm experimentation to encourage sustained use of improved common bean varieties.
Assessment of On-Farm Saved Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)Seed Quality in Central Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2025-03) Sori, Abebe; Bishaw, Zewdie; Fikre, Asnake; Dejene, Mashilla; Kaske, Karta
Limited information exists on the impact of current seed storage methods on seed quality in Central Ethiopia. The study aimed to assess the extent of the decline in seed quality of on-farm stored chickpeas. Two hundred two farmers were identified using a multistage and purposive technique, and seed samples were collected from five districts. Two rounds of on-farm seed samples were collected at early storage in March and at planting time in September 2022. Seed quality tests, including physical purity, physiological quality, and seed health were conducted using standard laboratory techniques for the seed samples. In Round 1, the results showed that mean physical purity, seed moisture (SM, %), and seed germination (SG, %) were 94.9%, 10.7%, and 83.8%, respectively. Moreover, about 95.5% and 81.8% of the seed samples satisfied the certified seed class D standards for SM and SG, respectively. However, for Round 2, the samples met the certified seed class D standard for SM and standard SG dropped to 36.9% and 63.1%, respectively. In Round 1, seed infection varied between 12% and 80%, whereas in Round 2, seed infection varied between 25% and 100%. During both rounds of seed sampling, no seed sample fulfilled the standard for certified seed class D specified for chickpea seed infection (%). Overall, seed quality was considerably lower during planting time compared to early storage. The study showed challenges in maintaining seed quality using current seed production, seed storage, and management practices indicating a need to improve seed production, processing, and handling practices to enhance farm-level chickpea seed quality and productivity.
Seed Accelerator Meet 2.0
(Report, 2025-05-01) Nayak, Swati; Hossain, Mosharaf; Mohapatra, Subhasmita; Tyagi, Neeraj Kumar; Singh, Vikas Kumar; Shukla, Sarvesh; Rout, Dillip Kumar; Nath, Anirban; Venkateshwarlu, Challa; Mall, Ashish; Tiwari, Ankita; Valenzuela, Myrtel Anne; Prashant, V
The Seed Accelerator Meet 2025, convened by the IRRI South Asia Hub, served as a dynamic platform to deepen strategic collaborations and drive innovation across rice breeding and seed systems in India. Against the backdrop of growing climate variability and shifting market preferences, the workshop brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders committed to transforming the rice seed landscape through accelerated varietal turnover and inclusive seed delivery models. The workshop centered on IRRI’s One Rice Breeding and Seed System Strategy, co- developed with NARES, which prioritizes demand-driven, market-segment-based product development, on-farm validation, and coordinated scaling efforts. Discussions focused on bridging persistent gaps in varietal adoption and improving the accessibility of high- performing, climate-resilient, and market-preferred rice varieties for farmers across India. Participants from ICAR-ATARIs, state seed corporations, private seed enterprises, and farmer producer organizations converged to: Strategize on pathways to replace outdated rice varieties with superior alternatives; Strengthen forward linkages between breeders, seed agencies, and market actors; Share evidence and tools for varietal positioning and impact tracking; Explore collaborative models for ensuring that high-quality seeds reach diverse farming communities; and Address systemic bottlenecks hindering seed system responsiveness and efficiency. Special emphasis was placed on harnessing multi-stakeholder networks and data-driven decision-making to guide product selection, positioning, and adoption. The workshop also facilitated cross-learning among seed system accelerators, promoting synergy between public and private sector actors to ensure that farmers can access seeds that are both agronomically suitable and commercially viable. By reinforcing partnerships and aligning efforts across the value chain, the Seed Accelerator Meet 2025 set a renewed agenda for inclusive and sustainable seed system transformation. It reaffirmed the essential role of collaborative platforms in fostering innovation, equity, and resilience in rice production systems, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security, farm profitability, and rural livelihoods.
Phytosanitary challenges and solutions for roots and tubers in the tropics
(Journal Article, 2025-09-03) Andrade-Piedra, Jorge L.; Sharma, Kalpana; Kroschel, Jürgen; Ogero, Kwame; Kreuze, Jan; Legg, James P.; Kumar, P. Lava; Spielman, David J.; Navarrete, Israel; Perez, Willmer; Atieno, Elly; Garrett, Karen A.
Vegetatively propagated crops such as cassava, potato, sweetpotato, and yam, or roots and tubers (RTs), play a major role in food security in low- and middle-income countries, yet phytosanitary issues in the tropics lead to substantial yield and quality losses. Challenges to production include institutional limitations that prevent effective responses and potential buildup of pathogens during clonal propagation. Addressing these challenges in a climate change context and diverse sociocultural environments requires a multifaceted approach, including improving access and availability to clean seed by strengthening seed systems; breeding for host resistance and disseminating resistant varieties; strengthening on-farm seed management; and designing effective policies and regulations to deal with seedborne diseases. Vital cross-cutting activities that can help to tackle the phytosanitary challenges of RTs include capacity strengthening, research on emergent pathogens, and improving regional cooperation and harmonization of phytosanitary standards to manage transboundary seed movement.
The characteristics of community seed schemes for grains and legumes: Insights from northern Nigeria
(Journal Article, 2025-12) Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Ragasa, Catherine; Bamiwuye, Temilolu; Andam, Kwaw S.; Spielman, David J.; Omoigui, Lucky
CONTEXT Despite the significant roles that intermediary seed systems play in the supply of quality seed in developing countries, including Africa South of the Sahara, the knowledge gap remains generally substantial regarding the general characteristics and seed quality assurance performance of intermediary seed systems like community seed schemes (CSS), which still predominantly operate outside the formal seed systems. OBJECTIVE We aim to narrow the knowledge gap on seed production practices implemented by CSS and their economic characteristics, the extent of seed quality assurance achieved, and potential challenges CSS is facing. METHODS Using primary survey data of seed producers of key grains (maize, rice, and sorghum) and legumes (cowpea and soybean) from 380 CSS in Kano state in northern Nigeria, we qualitatively assess seed production characteristics, financial structures of their seed production, aspects of quality assurance measures they engage, and potential roles of external support like training on their implementation of these quality assurance measures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We discovered that many of the interviewed CSS have emerged endogenously, taking up seed production to address the challenges in access to quality seed in their locality. Their seed production has often grown into viable businesses that have provided potentially significant additions to their incomes. Oftentimes, these CSS implemented some seed quality assurance measures, including making closer visual checks of seed, checking germination rates, and bagging/packing seed, among others. However, fuller seed quality assurance may be significantly skill-intensive, and most CSS still do not implement many of the recommended measures under some of the intermediary quality assurance standards like quality declared seed. Our qualitative assessment suggests that future support for CSS can focus on technical support to raise the ability to engage in broader categories of quality assurance activities in financially viable ways and to improve the awareness and knowledge of different varieties and access to early generation seed. SIGNIFICANCE The quality assurance provided by existing community seed schemes in Nigeria may be relatively limited, particularly in terms of proper maintenance of seed production field and the quality of original varieties that they intend to multiply. Providing external support through training and technical assistance may be an effective way to transform community seed schemes into critical providers of seed quality assurance in intermediary seed systems and fill gaps in the formal seed system.

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