The Ethiopian Seed Association (ESA) is a pivotal organization in the realm of seed production and marketing in Ethiopia. Since its establishment, ESA has been dedicated to fostering collaboration and communication among stakeholders, with a steadfast commitment to representing the interests of its members and driving the transformation of the Ethiopian seed system.
ESA’s objectives are multifaceted, with a key focus on advocating for the enhancement of the country’s seed system. This is achieved through active engagement with various stakeholders, including government bodies, regulatory agencies, and esteemed development partners such as ENSP, AGRA, CRS, SNV, and GIZ. By working closely with these entities, ESA endeavors to bolster the capacity and capabilities of the seed sector in Ethiopia, paving the way for sustainable agricultural development.
An annual highlight on ESA’s calendar is the National Seed Forum, a significant platform for stakeholders to address pertinent issues within the seed sector. The most recent forum, held on May 16th, 2024, delved into a range of critical topics impacting the industry, reflecting the dynamism and depth of discussions that took place.
The forum commenced with an insightful overview of ESA’s activities and progress report, providing stakeholders with valuable insight into the association’s ongoing initiatives. Subsequently, discussions centered on the new seed proclamation and its current implementation status, shedding light on the regulatory framework governing the sector and its implications for all involved parties.
Furthermore, the forum delved into the status of Early Generation Seed (EGS) production and distribution, acknowledging its pivotal role in ensuring that quality seeds reach farmers. This underscores the importance of addressing challenges in this area to maintain the integrity of the seed sector.
A crucial aspect highlighted during the forum was the financing opportunities offered by the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) for the agriculture sector. Accessible funding is imperative for driving forward seed-related endeavours and supporting the growth of the agricultural landscape in Ethiopia.
One pressing concern that garnered significant attention during the forum was the issue of illegal and counterfeit seed sales. Stakeholders emphasized the detrimental impact of such practices on the formal seed sector and agricultural productivity as a whole, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to combat this challenge effectively.
Following extensive presentations and robust discussions, several key issues were identified for further consideration by policymakers and relevant stakeholders. These issues encompass a wide array of challenges and opportunities within the seed sector, signalling the need for concerted efforts to drive positive change.
As a result of these deliberations, a position paper (link) was produced at the forum. The position paper encapsulates emerging trends in illegal seed practices, emphasizing the need for wider awareness creation, relevant and enforceable measures, and building the required human capacity and infrastructure to combat illegal seed sales effectively.
The forum also underscored the importance of revising and/or designing required directives and regulations within the framework of the new seed proclamation to address key challenges facing the Ethiopian seed system.
The issue of varietal and quantity mismatch of EGS was also addressed, with recommendations put forth to further develop the system to ensure adequate volume of EGS produced for demanded crop varieties with standard quality.
Access to finance for seed sector actors has emerged as a critical area requiring attention. It was discussed that improved access to finance is essential, especially given the expansion of contract seed production and the substantial financial requirements involved.
The forum also emphasized the need for increased private sector participation in the Ethiopian seed sector. Recommendations were made for enhanced representation of private seed actors in relevant committees and initiatives to leverage international and regional collaborative partnerships for the sector’s benefit.
Another notable concern raised during the forum was the lack of participation of key policymakers in National Seed Forums. The limited participation of policymakers from both federal MoA and Regional BoA was recognized as a challenge affecting timely policy and development decisions within the sector.
The National Seed Forum served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to converge and deliberate on vital aspects shaping the Ethiopian seed industry. The outcomes of the forum underscored the collective commitment to advancing the sector and fostering sustainable agricultural development. The insights and recommendations stemming from the forum are poised to inform policy decisions and drive positive change within Ethiopia’s seed sector.
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