The Ethiopian Seed Association (ESA) is a young organization that aims to promote the development of a vibrant seed sector in Ethiopia. ESA works with various stakeholders, including public and private seed producers, distributors, traders, research institutions, and international partners, to ensure the sustainable supply of quality seed to smallholder farmers. ESA also serves as a forum for information exchange and policy dialogue on seed issues in the country. However, ESA faces several challenges in fulfilling its mission in a rapidly changing world. ESA needs to adapt to these changes and find new ways to communicate its value proposition to its members and the public. One of the challenges is to improve its visibility and recognition among the seed sector actors and public institutions. On another hand, it needs to diversify its sources of income and become more financially sustainable. In addition, it needs to strengthen its capacity and governance to effectively deliver its services and represent its members.
To reinvigorate itself and enhance its relevance, ESA needs to learn from other similar organizations in Africa that have achieved success and recognition in their respective countries. That is why ESA participated in the African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA) Congress 2023, held in Dakar, Senegal from 6th to 8th March 2023. The congress was a platform for learning, networking and collaboration among seed industry actors from Africa and beyond. ESA delegates had the opportunity to interact with their counterparts from AfSTA and other regional seed associations, as well as representatives from governments, NGOs, research institutions and international organizations.
The South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR), the Seed Trade Association of Ghana (STAG), Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) and Zambia Seed Trade Association (ZASTA) were some of the associations that the team had shared experiences from. The team have learned that these associations are very strong compared to ESA. They have been delegated by their governments to perform key functions in the seed sector, such as seed certification, quality assurance, monitoring of seed laboratories, advocacy, and training. This has given them leverage to be an important institution, seed companies are willing and very committed to be a member. ESA can benefit from benchmarking with these associations and adopting some of their best practices and innovations.
To become a strong association, ESA has to diversify its sources of income and become more financially sustainable. This means that ESA should not rely solely on membership fees or donor funding, but also explore other ways of generating income such as service fees, grants, sponsorships, donations, etc. Members annual contribution need to be based on business turnover. Almost all associations use levy system on sales of members products. In the long run the association should plan to apply the levy system, which would help the association generate sustainable income.
The association needs to enhance its communication and outreach by developing a communication strategy that defines ESA’s target audiences, key messages, communication channels and tools, monitoring and evaluation indicators, etc. The communication strategy should aim to raise awareness of ESA’s role and activities among stakeholders, showcase ESA’s achievements and impacts, solicit feedback and input from stakeholders, foster collaboration and partnership among stakeholders, etc.
The association need to enhance its visibility at international level. It should aspire hosting AfSTA congress which will have many advantages for the association and the country. The association needs to have ambitious plan to host AfSTA congress. However, it needs a lot of work and preparation.
ESA may reposition itself and increase its significance in the Ethiopian seed industry by taking the best lessons learnt from other successful seed associations in Africa. ESA may reimage itself and increase its relevance in the seed sector by learning from and implementing these lessons. ESA has the potential to grow into a strong and influential organization that contributes to the development of a dynamic and competitive seed business in Ethiopia. It can also become a renowned partner of public institutions, research institutions, international organizations, and seed associations.
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