Nairobi, Kenya
October 24, 2016
It is well established that over 50 percent of the total crop yield is determined by the genetic potential of the crop, carried in the seed with the rest apportioned to proper agronomy, use of other inputs like fertilizer and natural conditions.
Despite this, only an average of about 20 percent of farmers in Africa use seeds of improved varieties. The numbers are even lower among smallholder farmers who make up close to 70 percent of the continent’s population.
Furthermore, a good percentage of the seeds used in most countries are not locally produced which creates a huge import bill for African governments. As these seeds are not locally bred taking into consideration the prevailing agro-ecological conditions, they are rarely resistant to pests and diseases.
For Africa to attain food and nutrition security that will spur inclusive growth and development, local production of seeds of high yielding varieties must be increased. These seeds should be tailored for specific ecological conditions to adapt to the changing climate. They must also be disease and pest resistant.
Despite the huge potential for private sector engagement, there are still very few local private seed producing companies in Africa. In the last ten years, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has made targeted investments that have resulted in a rise in the number of local seed companies from 10 in 2007 to 101 today in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa excluding South Africa.
Over the years, these companies have produced and sold an estimated 475,805 MT of improved seeds. On average, the use of improved seeds and the right farming practices have enabled farmers to more than double their yields, leading to the production of an additional 4 million MT of cereals, pulses, soybeans and groundnuts in 2015 alone. In monetary terms, this represents about US$ 2.2 billion in additional income for these farmers.
In 2012, these seed companies set themselves an ambitious target of producing 10,000 MT tons each per year giving rise to what is dubbed the ‘10K Seed Club’. So far, only four companies have joined this club.
To review progress and learn from each other on the best approaches towards the intended mark, these companies are convening in Nairobi this week.
Speaking on behalf of Hon. Willy Bett, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Eng. Jasper Nkanya, Chief Agricultural Engineer at the Ministry highlighted the need to ensure that all players in the seed sector work collaboratively to deliver quality and affordable seeds to farmer on time.
Citing Kenya’s example that has a more advanced seed sector in the region with about 60 percent of farmers using improved seeds, Eng. Nkanya encouraged more local private companies to invest in seed production and distribution. “The Government in partnership with our development partners has funded the research and development of locally adapted, high yielding varieties and is willing to share this key technologies with private seed companies to ensure that we meet the seed demand in the country, and indeed the continent”, he said
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, AGRA President noted that Africa was witnessing an agricultural transformation with countries that made the biggest investments in smallholder agriculture rewarded with sizeable jumps in both farm productivity and overall economic performance. As outlined in the 2016 edition of the African Agriculture Status Report (AASR), a decade of intense domestic attention to farmers and food production has generated “the most successful development effort” in African history.
“Seeds of improved varieties are important in raising yields and ensuring food security, proper nutrition and prosperity for not only smallholder farmers but the general population. The irony of the seed industry globally is that smallholder farmers who need seeds the most to make more from their small pieces of land have the least access to these seeds”, said Dr. Kalibata.
“Local private seed companies are a critical player in delivering a truly African green revolution. The need for locally adapted well performing seeds is even more urgent today with the worsening impacts of climate change. Crops like sorghum, millet, and legumes such as cowpeas, pigeon peas and green grams will become more important. We are advising seed companies to be agile enough. We also need to form even stronger partnerships with all stakeholders to stay on top of seed needs for African farmers”, added Dr. Kalibata.
The AGRA President called on the seed companies and other private sector players across the agricultural value chain to get fully involved in the Seize the Moment campaign which aims to secure Africa’s rise through agricultural transformation.
Companies that have joined the 10K Seed Club
- Amhara Seed Enterprise (ASE), Ethiopia
The company was established in 2009 with the sole objective of decentralizing the seed system so as to increase productivity in response to location-specific needs and to enable smallholder farmers in Amhara Region easily access improved seed for food security, higher income and better livelihoods.
- Equator Seeds Limited (ESL), Uganda
Established in 2010, ESL is a typical start-up seed company based in Gulu District, northern Uganda. It aims to improve crop productivity, food security and incomes of smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda through provision of quality seeds of maize, rice, sorghum, beans, soy beans, sesame and ground nuts.
- Maslaha Seeds Limited, Nigeria
The company was set up in 2007 with a capacity of 600 MT of maize seed that grew to 10,000 MT in 2013. It aims to increase farmers’ access to quality maize seeds and collaborates with research institutes to provide clean seeds and training to various seed companies to promote seed entrepreneurship.
- Oromia Seed Enterprise, Ethiopia
The company is an autonomous parastatal organization established in 2008 to increase food security and household incomes of smallholder farmers in Oromia Region of Ethiopia by providing improved seeds of maize, wheat and chickpea.
About AGRA
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) serves as the secretariat for the AGRF. AGRA is an African-led alliance focused on putting farmers at the center of our continent’s growing economy. AGRA advances uniquely African solutions to sustainably raise farmers’ productivity and connect them to a growing marketplace.
Together with its partners—including researchers, donors, African governments, the private sector, and civil society—AGRA seeks to create an environment where Africa feeds itself. AGRA works across 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and maintains a head office in Nairobi, Kenya and country offices in Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania.
About the Seize the Moment Campaign
This is a campaign aimed at Securing Africa’s rise through agricultural transformation by bringing together the most prominent actors in African agriculture to put momentum behind the African Union’s Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and advance public, political and financial commitments needed to drive a sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation
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