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 166

Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Operations manual [Lao language version]
(Manual, 2025-05-15) Delaquis, Erik; Malik, Al Imran; Newby, Jonathan; Escobar, Roosevelt; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Sok, Sophearith; Cu Thi, Thuy Le; Nhan, Pham Thi
Impact of production-and consumption-oriented interventions on crop varietal adoption: Cluster-randomized controlled trial evidence from northern Nigeria
(Journal Article, 2025) Ragasa, Catherine; Oyinbo, Oyakhilomen; Ma, Ning
This paper evaluates the impact of three interventions (seed trial packs, consumption-oriented interventions, and agricultural training, either individually or bundled) in improving varietal turnover in northern Nigeria via a 3-year cluster-randomized controlled trial. A secondary objective of the paper is to evaluate the performance of these varieties in farmers’ fields. Results show that seed trial packs increased adoption of promoted varieties by 42%–44% of farmers and 42%–47% of maize and cowpea land area. Farmers rated production, processing, marketing, and consumption characteristics of these varieties very highly. Yields on plots with promoted varieties were significantly higher than those of farmers’ traditional varieties, ranging from 16% to 25% more for maize and 70% for cowpea in the first season, with observed yields persisting in the second season. JEL Classification: Q12, Q16, Q22
Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Operations manual [Khmer language version]
(Manual, 2025-05-10) Delaquis, Erik; Malik, Imran; Newby, Jonathan C; Escobar, Roosevelt; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Sok, Sophearith; Cu Thi, Thuy Le; Nhan, Pham Thi
Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Construction manual [Lao language version]
(Manual, 2025-05) Delaquis, Erik; Newby, Jonathan; Malik, Al Imran; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Escobar, Roosevelt
Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Construction manual [Khmer language version]
(Manual, 2025-05) Delaquis, Erik; Newby, Jonathan C.; Malik, Al Imran; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Escobar, Roosevelt
Citizen science informs demand-driven breeding of opportunity crops
(Journal Article, 2025-05-13) Voss, Rachel C.; De Sousa, Kaue; N'Danikou, Sognigbé; Shango, Abdul; Aglinglo, Lys Amavi; Laporte, Marie-Angelique; Legba, Eric C.; Houdegbe, Aristide Carlos; Diarra, Danfing dit Youssouf; Dolo, Aminata; Sidibe, Amadou; Ouedraogo, Colette Ouidyam; Coulibaly, Harouna; Achigan-Dako, Enoch G.; Kileo, Aishi; Malulu, Dickson; Matumbo, Zamira; Dinssa, Fekadu; van Heerwaarden, Joost; Van Etten, Jacob; Riar, Amritbir; van Zonneveld, Maarten
Seeds of change: The impact of Ethiopia’s direct seed marketing approach on smallholders’ seed purchases and productivity
(Working Paper, 2025-03) Mekonnen, Dawit Kelemework; Abate, Gashaw T.; Yimam, Seid; Benfica, Rui; Spielman, David J.; Place, Frank
Several factors contribute to the limited use of improved seed varieties in Ethiopia. Among those, on the supply side, is the restricted availability of seeds in the volume, quality, and timeliness required by farmers, partly due to inadequate public and private investment in the sector. Beginning in 2011, the Government of Ethiopia introduced a novel experiment—the direct seed marketing approach—to reduce some of the centralized, state-run attributes of the country’s seed market and rationalize the use of public resources. Direct seed marketing was designed to incentivize private and public seed producers to sell directly to farmers rather than through the state apparatus. This study is the first quantitative evaluation of the impact of direct seed marketing on indicators of a healthy seed system: access to quality seeds and farm-level productivity. Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences approach suitable to handling variation in treatment timing, the study finds that direct seed marketing led to an increase of 15 percentage points in the proportion of farmers purchasing maize seed, an increase of 45 percent in the quantity of maize seed purchased per hectare, and an increase of 18 percent in maize yield. However, there are differences across crops, with the effects of direct seed marketing on wheat seed purchases and yields being statistically insignificant. These crop-specific differences in performance are likely explained by differences in the reproductive biology of maize (particularly maize hybrids) and wheat, which tend to incentivize commercial activity in hybrid maize seed markets more than in self-pollinating wheat or open-pollinated maize markets. These differences suggest a need for nuanced policy responses, institutional arrangements, and market development strategies to accelerate the adoption of improved varieties.
Miracle seeds: Biased expectations, complementary input use, and the dynamics of smallholder technology adoption
(Journal Article, 2025) Miehe, Caroline; Nabwire, Leocardia; Sparrow, Robert; Spielman, David J.; Van Campenhout, Bjorn
To fully beneﬁt from new agricultural technologies like improved seed varieties, signiﬁcant investment in complementary inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, and practices such as systematic planting, irrigation, and weeding are also required. Farmers may fail to recognize the importance of these complements, leading to disappointing crop yields and outputs and, eventually, dis-adoption of the improved variety. Using a ﬁeld experiment, we test an information intervention among smallholder maize farmers in eastern Uganda that points out these complementarities. We ﬁnd that farmers adopt less after they have been sensitized about the need to use complementary inputs to unlock the adoption premium. We rationalize this ﬁnding with a simple theoretical model where farmers have mis-speciﬁed mental models of the technology production function and conclude that most farmers in our sample do indeed believe in miracle seeds.
Boosting Rice Productivity in Madagascar: Promoting Improved Varieties and Quality Seeds
(Report, 2024-12-30) AfricaRice
Seed Requirement Estimation (SRE) Tool
(Presentation, 2024-12) Rajendran, S.; Ogero, K.; Namanda, S.; Low, Jan W.; McEwan, M.
Enhancing the Seed Sector Decision-Making with the Business Investment Decision (BID) Tool – a brief on BID tool
(Brief, 2024-12) International Potato Center
Machine Learning Approach for Prediction of Area Under Cultivation and Production for Vegetatively Propagated Crops
(Working Paper, 2024-12) Ahishakiye, E.; Ogero, K.; Namada, S.; Rajendran, S.
Vegetatively propagated crops (VPCs) such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and bananas, are a key component in ensuring food security for the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In agricultural planning and seed system management, it is essential to accurately predict the area under cultivation, production volumes, and yield rates of these crops. Traditional forecasting methods have fallen short in capturing the complexity of VPC production, as there are nonlinear relationships and dynamic environmental factors at play. This paper overcomes these shortcomings by using machine learning models to enhance the forecasting accuracy using data from the Seed Requirement Estimation (SRE) tool. We applied Random Forest, AdaBoost, and a Stacked Ensemble Model to forecast the area under cultivation and production volume in tons. After hyperparameter tuning, the Stacked Model performed better, yielding R² values of 0.8260 for area prediction and 0.7883 for production forecasting, outperforming the individual models. The results reflect the potential of the ensemble learning model to improve the accuracy of agricultural forecasts. The study emphasizes the role that advanced predictive models can play in enhancing agricultural policy decisions based on data, optimizing seed distribution, and ensuring food security in VPC-dependent regions.
Business Investment Decision (BID) Tool for strengthening seed business
(Working Paper, 2024-12) Jayanth, R.; Rajendran, S.
The seed sector is critical to agricultural productivity, yet entrepreneurs in this space face significant challenges, including limited financial management skills, operational inefficiencies, financial constraints, and lack of market reach. These issues are compounded by the reliance on ad-hoc, manual processes for decision-making. To address these challenges, this report introduces the Business Investment Decision (BID) tool, a comprehensive digital platform designed to empower seed-sector entrepreneurs and businesses. The BID tool offers structured formats for financial planning, investment analysis, and business growth, enabling users to make informed decisions. Currently available in Excel and web-based formats, with plans for a desktop version, the tool includes modules for business background, business environment, financial management, budgeting, valuation, risk management, and more. Its target users include small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the seed sector, as well as businesses in other industries at various stages of development. The tool has been validated through applications in diverse settings, including RTB EAGEL in Nairobi and Potato ARC Technology in India. Potential benefits of the BID tool include simplified business planning, ease of use for beginners, the ability to raise funds, and enhanced strategic decision-making. Future development plans include expanding the web version, integrating artificial intelligence for industry comparisons and strategy formulation, incorporating real-time data, and enabling seamless integration with accounting systems. Keywords Business Investment Decision (BID) tool, financial management, decision-making frameworks, business growth, investment analysis, digital platform, operational efficiency, financial planning, budgeting, risk management.
Technical Report on Business Investment Decision (BID) Tool
(Report, 2024-12) Jayanth, R.; Rajendran, S.
The seed sector is critical to agricultural productivity, yet entrepreneurs in this space face significant challenges, including limited financial management skills, operational inefficiencies, financial constraints, and lack of market reach. These issues are compounded by the reliance on ad-hoc, manual processes for decision-making. To address these challenges, this report introduces the Business Investment Decision (BID) tool, a comprehensive digital platform designed to empower seed-sector entrepreneurs and businesses. The BID tool offers structured formats for financial planning, investment analysis, and business growth, enabling users to make informed decisions. Currently available in Excel and web-based formats, with plans for a desktop version, the tool includes modules for business background, business environment, financial management, budgeting, valuation, risk management, and more. Its target users include small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the seed sector, as well as businesses in other industries at various stages of development. The tool has been validated through applications in diverse settings, including RTB EAGEL in Nairobi and Potato ARC Technology in India. Potential benefits of the BID tool include simplified business planning, ease of use for beginners, the ability to raise funds, and enhanced strategic decision-making. Future development plans include expanding the web version, integrating artificial intelligence for industry comparisons and strategy formulation, incorporating real-time data, and enabling seamless integration with accounting systems.
Inspection and certification manual for cassava planting material in Uganda
(Journal Article, 2024-12) Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda
The National Seed Certification Services (NSCS), Department of Crop Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has designated inspectors of cassava planting material (seed) to use this handbook. The inspectors will guarantee that the produced cassava seed satisfies the necessary requirements. It will also be utilized by seed growers, training facilities, and cassava seed merchants (business owners), for whom a formal certificate attests to the quality of the seed produced. For cassava seed to be eligible for certification, the handbook outlines the minimal requirements that must be fulfilled in the tissue culture lab, screen house, and fields. Land requirements, isolation distances, degrees of disease and pest tolerance, and seed standards are some of the requirements documented here for ensuring compliance for quality seed production in the country
Translating theory into practice: a flexible decision-making tool to support the design and implementation of climate-smart agriculture projects
(Journal Article, 2024-08) Walsh, Conor; Renn, Mara; Klauser, Dominik; de Pinto, Alessandro; Haggar, Jeremy; Rouf Abdur; Hopkins, Richard J.; Farhad Zamil
Context: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a conceptual framework for responding climate-related risk in agriculture across the three pillars of Mitigation, Resilience, and Production. Existing tools have been developed which seek to operationalize the CSA concept to evaluate and benchmark progress; each of which have their own relative strengths and weaknesses. Objective: The translation of this concept into actionable projects/portfolios hence requires the careful evaluation of potential trade-offs and synergies between these three pillars. The hereby presented decision-making tool aims to offer a basis for a structured evaluation of such trade-offs and synergies. Methods: It does so by assessing five different outcome pathways on how they contribute to a project's performance across the three pillars of CSA. We aspire that the use of this tool will allow for more deliberate design and implementation of projects in agricultural development, increasing the resilience and productivity of farming systems whilst ensuring the sustainable use of the environmental resource-based agriculture depends on. Results and conclusions: This tool was applied in a workshop setting to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of two distinct projects; demonstrating the utility in visualizing the same performance in different ways. Of particular importance was ability to demonstrate how focusing on productivity and adaptation may trade-off mitigation activities. Significance: The results of the case study application demonstrated the challenge in meeting all the CSA requirements; particularly where the main objective of a project is to enhance and increase productivity. This reinforces how supporting all three pillars is challenging for a single project and therefore CSA is arguably more achievable when viewed in terms of a portfolio of activities which can collectively compensate for the limitations of a single project.
Mapping and Profiling Legume Seed Value Chain Actors in Morocco: Chickpea and Lentil
(Internal Document, 2024-12-01) Bishaw, Zewdie; Imtiaz, Muhammad; Yigezu, Yigezu; Lammari, Abdelali; Rredani, Latifa; Boughlala, Mohamed
In Morocco, food legumes occupied as large areas as 600 thousand ha in the early 1970s. Thereafter, however, the area under food legumes fluctuated with a general downward trend. For the period 2001-2010, the annual average was 427 thousand ha per year which decreased to 404 thousand ha between 2011 and 2022. In 2024, the area allocated to food legumes is about 200 thousand ha. The decline in food legumes area is due not only to climate variability (periodic droughts) but mainly to other factors such as diseases (including Orobanche and Ascochyta Blight), increased mono-cropping of cereals and other crops, and lack of appropriate technologies (such as lack of high yielding, water efficient, and short duration varieties which are also amenable to mechanization). Moreover, the market for food legumes still suffers from poor organization because it remains controlled by several intermediaries that are exploiting their power to extract more than their fair share of the price without making comparable value addition thereby reducing the price received by food legume producers. In these conditions, more efforts are needed to improve food legume production and rehabilitation. As part of the solution to revitalize food legumes, this study aims to investigate the systemic challenges of the seed system and identify the constraints and opportunities of the main stakeholders. Due to time and resource constraints, only lentils and chickpeas were targeted. According to the results of interviews and surveys, legumes-certified seed production is far from being a priority for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests (MARDWF). However, it is important to note that many actors are involved in the seed sector and the most important ones are AMMS, INRA, FNIS, ONSSA, ONCA, and COMADER. The private sector is involved in the seed sector but not in food legumes. According to the Moroccan Seed Growers Association (AMMS), the Department of Agriculture will launch a new initiative in the 2024-2025 cropping season by targeting seed multipliers operating within the aggregation system and including them under contracts for certified seed multiplication. The constraints of the legume sector do not pertain to only the production of certified seed, but also to the lack of appropriate varieties, limited number of herbicides, lack of sufficient incentives, high demand for labor, and mechanization.
A probit analysis of determinants of adoption of improved sorghum technologies among farmers in Tanzania
(Journal Article, 2021) Kimbi, Thedy Gerald; Akpo, Essegbemon; Kongola, Eliud; Ojiewo, Chris O.; Vernooy, Ronnie; Muricho, Geoffrey; Ringo, Justin; Lukurugu, Gerald Alex; Varshney, Rajeev; Tabo, Ramadjita
The adoption of improved sorghum technologies by smallholder farmers is still low in Tanzania. Many farmers fail to acquire quality inputs due to different underlying reasons. This article analyzes factors underlining the adoption of improved technologies among sorghum farmers in Tanzania and evaluates profitability of grain production. A total of 212 individual farmers were interviewed through structured questionnaires from nine districts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit regression model and gross margin analysis. Results show that 39.2%, 26.5%, 16.9%, 8.4% and 7.2% of sorghum farmers adopted seeds of improved varieties, insecticides, inorganic fertilizers, threshing machine and optimum seed rate, respectively. Probit estimates indicated that age, sex, number of years in school, group membership, farm size, availability of free seeds, seed accessibility, grain market accessibility and grain market price were the significant factors influencing adoption of these technologies. Adopters obtained higher profitability (822,288 Tshs/ha) than non-adopters (374,363 Tshs/ha) of improved varieties. Further policy actions are needed to improve determinants of adoption, breeding technologies and accessibility of agricultural inputs to ensure benefits to farmers and the sorghum sub-sector.
How Ivuna women farmers are transforming their lives through seed production
(Brochure, 2024) Ndyamukama, F.; Aluoch, Marion; Gichuru, Lilian; Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng
How one farmer is learning and leading the way in improved millet and ground nut seed production In Uganda
(Brochure, 2024) Aluoch, Marion; Gichuru, Lilian; Muricho, Geoffrey; Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng

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