RTB Seed System Toolbox Course: 
26, 28, 29 July 2021
Lava Kumar, et al.
RTB seed systems: Challenges
• Dominated by informal seed producers 
• Fragmented seed value chain   
• Information gap (Where? Who? What?)
• Unfulfilled potential of seed value chain actors 
Seed Seed 
producers sellers 
Early Seed
generation Seed quality buyers 
seed regulators 
producers 
• A system for seed value chain mapping and integration 
• A system for formalizing the informal sector    
Seed Tracker TM : Purpose
❑ A multi-modular digital tool for seed system development
➢ Mapping and integration of seed value chain actors
➢ Simplifies compliance to seed regulations and seed quality assurance 
➢ Offers a directory of improved varieties, accredited seed producers and 
access to quality seed 
➢ Offers comprehensive database for seed traceability, production planning, 
trend analysis, and forecasting (seed database) 
➢ Fosters formalization of informal seed sector
Seed Tracker TM : Purpose
Disease Agronomy
diagnosis Advisory
• Flexible to adopt for any crop, country, user needs and language (English, French, etc.) 
• Web-interphase and data input through user accounts (password control) for data 
security and privacy 
• Digital data collection forms usable on web and Android phone (ODK) and works off-line
• Automatic GPS extraction for maps, GPS-linked images and data and auto data sorting
• Data downloads in various file forms (XLS, CVS and other file formats) 
Purpose
-Digitalization of seed systems
3 Seed Tracker
-Real-time information about seed 
production, trade network, regulatory 
compliance, scenarios and trends 
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
Cassava seed system
• Strengthen and formalize cassava seed systems  
BASICS • Enhance the production and supply of quality seed of improved 
BUILDING AN ECONOMICALLY 
SUSTAINABLE, INTEGRATED 
CASSAVA SEED SYSTEM cassava varieties
• Create enabling conditions for sustainable and profitable cassava 
seed enterprises   
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Digitalization of cassava seed value chain  
Producer registration → Field registration → Field inspection →
quality assurance (Certification)→Markets
Web-interphase and database
www.seedtracker.org/cassava Seed production mapping and tracking Mapping value chain actors  
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Seed Tracker guidance to quality cassava seed 
• Digital catalogue of 
production as per the regulatory requirements 
improved cassava varieties 
Field registration → Field inspection → Certification
Seed sourcing     → Seed production → Sales / distribution
•Pre-planting 
Verification of 
site and source 
seed
•Post-planting
Pest and 
disease 
thresholds, 
varietal purity,
agronomic 
management 
•Harvesting  
Stem 
quality 
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Each year 120 to 200 cassava seed producers registered on Cassava Seed Tracker 
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Each year 120 to 200 cassava seed producers registered on Cassava Seed Tracker 
Cassava seed fields in Nigeria  Breeder seed
Foundation seed
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Accessing quality cassava seed producers in Nigeria
Variety details
Variety 
verification  
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed order form
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Monitoring demand for varieties and means for quality seed access 
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• Access to quality certified seed of improved cassava varieties simplified
Seed TrackerTM app
1. Go to Seed Outlet  
2. Select location 
3. Select variety 
4. Indicate quantity
5. Submit  
Feedback
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Seed Tracker TM : Use Case 
Cassava Seed Systems in Nigeria 
• NASC Seed Tracker: An official tool for e-certification 
• Seed quality 
assurance 
made easy
www.seedtracker.org/cassava
Timing and duration 
3
3
3
3. Seed Tracker
Level and uses  
• Multiple crops
• Multiple countries
• Multiple/diverse users 
• Tool potential 
Source: J Legg and J Juma
demonstrated and use in 
Nigeria, Tanzania and 
being piloted in Ghana 
and other countries 
Source: Herminio Rocha 
Output and audience  
• Output: Seed information and seed system activities 
(big data)
• Audience 
• Seed producers: field registration and seed 
inventory management 
• Seed regulators: quality assurance, seed 
production data, and to enforce change from 
informal to formal seed production 
• Traders: market information
• Buyers: for access to quality seed information
• Researchers/extension/NGOs: Tracking variety 
dissemination, variety replacement, M&E, etc.  
Required resources and steps for 
adoption  
Before start: Define purpose of use 
Tool preparation and piloting 
• Tailor Seed Tracker features to user defined needs
• Pilot testing 
• Training  
Expertise: Basic experience in use of internet-enable devices 
Duration: One week to several (depending on the use case)
Budget and other needs: US$1000 and upwards, depending on 
the user needs 
Limitations of the tool
• Dependency on internet data access and  
smartphones 
Main advantages of the tool
1. User-centered design: All-in-one ICT applications 
customizable to suit user needs
2. Scaling ready: Flexible, convenient, and easy to adapt 
for different crops, organizations, and contexts
3. Seed decision support: Offers real-time monitoring, 
enable data-driven decisions, and information for other 
tools 
4. Enabling tool: Cost-effective tool for “formalizing 
informal seed systems” and supporting “decentralized 
quality assurance programs”
Thank you
Acknowledgments 
Contact person: NASC
Lava Kumar 
L.kumar@cgiar.org
For more information:
• https://www.seedtracker.org
• https://www.seedtracker.org/cassava
• https://seedtracker.org/cassava/index.php/how-it-works/
• https://www.facebook.com/seedtracker/
BASICS-II
BUILDING AN ECONOMICALLY 
SUSTAINABLE, INTEGRATED 
CASSAVA SEED SYSTEM