Maize Seed Marketing Workshop. Delivering genetic innovations to farmers: Challenges and opportunities for accelerated varietal turnover

Nyangaga, J., Kageni, B., Ndegwa, M.K., Kariuki, S.K., Kramer, B., & Debello, M. J. (2024). Maize Seed Marketing Workshop. Delivering genetic innovations to farmers: Challenges and opportunities for accelerated varietal turnover. CIMMYT & IFPRI. https://hdl.handle.net/10883/35154

The workshop focused on solutions to increase the adoption of new crop varieties, particularly in the context of maize. It explored how different stakeholders—from seed companies and agro-dealers to farmers and policymakers—can collaborate to increase varietal turnover in the agricultural sector. The event brought together experts and professionals from various sectors involved in seed production, distribution, and research, to address critical challenges and explore opportunities. During the workshop, experts presented findings from research in which various solutions to increase varietal turnover were tested. This served as a basis for discussions, which covered topics including product life cycle management, seed marketing, farmer preferences, and the role of gender in agricultural innovations. The forum, held on November 21, 2024, at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights, discuss solutions, and seek alignment on strategies to improve production and adoption of new seed varieties. The event was designed to foster collaboration between sector players, providing an opportunity for constructive dialogue on enhancing seed productivity while ensuring sustainability and food security.