DLF, a globally renowned seed producer based in Denmark, recently visited Ethiopia and engaged in constructive discussions with the SWR Ethiopia Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) project and RESILNCE teams. As a leading international company in forage seed production, DLF is committed to fostering public-private partnerships (PPP) to introduce high-quality forage crop varieties to the Ethiopian market. This collaboration aims to address the growing demand for improved forage seeds and strengthen the seed sector’s overall capacity.
The visit commenced with discussions at the SWR Ethiopia office, where Dr. Mohammed Hassena, Project Manager of ESP, extended a warm welcome to the DLF team. Dr. Hassena provided an overview of the ESP project’s working modalities and components, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in strengthening Ethiopia’s seed sector and achieving long-term developmental goals.
Marijke from RESILNCE further contributed to the discussions by highlighting RESILNCE’s role in supporting private sector development within Ethiopia’s seed industry. She underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in driving innovation and sustainable growth, aligning with DLF’s vision for the forage sector.
Insights into Ethiopia’s forage sector
A key highlight of the discussion was a presentation by Dr. Assebe, a former staff member of ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute). His presentation, titled “Forage Seed in Ethiopia: Market Opportunities and Private Sector Partnerships,” provided a comprehensive overview of the forage sector in Ethiopia. Dr. Assebe discussed the current status, challenges, opportunities, and future prospects of the sector. His insights painted a clear picture of the potential for growth and collaboration in this critical area of agriculture.
Exploring local partnerships
As part of their visit, the DLF team conducted an extensive field tour, meeting with various Ethiopian seed companies and stakeholders over four days. These included Easy Grow, Nigist Langana Seed Producer and Supplier, SNV BRIDGE+ project, EASTCHEM BUSINESS PLC, Eshot Agricultural Material and Seed Supplier, Mulualem Farm, Markos PLC, Anatoli Forage Seed Producers and Suppliers, and the RESILNCE team.
These interactions aimed to identify potential local partners who could collaborate with DLF to register, demonstrate, and distribute new forage seed varieties across Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) played a crucial role in nominating local partners and facilitating discussions to strengthen collaboration between DLF and other international companies involved in the PPP framework.
In addition to engaging with local companies, the DLF team held discussions with the SNV BRIDGE+ project. This interaction provided a holistic understanding of Ethiopia’s forage sector and highlighted opportunities for collaboration. Through these discussions and field visits, the DLF team gained valuable insights into the sector’s landscape, enabling them to identify local partners that align with their criteria and vision.
A promising future for forage seeds in Ethiopia
As a leading international company in forage seed production, DLF has expressed a strong commitment to contributing to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. During their visit, the DLF team outlined an ambitious plan to introduce approximately ten varieties of five different forage crops to the Ethiopian market. This initiative aims to enhance the availability of improved forage seeds, thereby addressing critical challenges faced by the country’s livestock sector.
The partnership between DLF, ESP, RESILNCE, and other stakeholders marks a significant step forward in strengthening Ethiopia’s forage seed sector. By introducing high-quality forage crop varieties and fostering collaboration between public and private entities, this initiative is expected to address critical challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
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