February 24, 2017
Group discussion during the training. Photo: ICRISAT
A training was conducted recently to promote the use of improved seeds by smallholder farmers. Participants learned to map seed demand in their area, develop quality assurance systems, explore financial and human resources and develop seed marketing plans. The meeting provided space for different stakeholders to share experiences and discuss challenges in managing their seed businesses.
The training also provided technical knowledge of seed production, processing, sampling and testing. In addition, socio-economic skills necessary for partnership development
within the seed and commodity value chains were discussed. Participants were informed on the benefits of using information and communication technology (ICT) in inclusive seed business development.
This training was jointly facilitated by Dr Essegbemon Akpo, Scientist – Seed Systems Specialist, ICRISAT, Nairobi; Enock Maereka, Seed Business Development Specialist, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Lilongwe; Dr Jean-Claude Rubyogo, Seed Expert, CIAT, Arusha and Dr Monyo S Emmanuel, Consultant and groundnut breeder, ICRISAT, Nairobi.
The training was held on 23 – 25 January at the Sugarcane Research Station, Kibaha, Tanzania. It was attended by 26 participants comprising researchers, representatives of public and private seed companies and farmer organizations.
For more information on ICRISAT’s work in Tanzania, click here
Project: Tropical Legumes III
Investor: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Partners: CIAT; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, India; ICRISAT.
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