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Stakeholders in Ethiopian Seed Sector Discussed Seed Production and Marketing Plan
Stakeholders in the Ethiopian seed sector recently convened to discuss the seed production and marketing plan. This important gathering brought together key players in the industry to strategize and collaborate on ways to enhance seed production and improve the marketing of seeds in Ethiopia. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration…
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ENSP Mid-Term Evaluation: lessons to shape future focus areas
Partnerships are essential in the agricultural industry for promoting innovation and sustainable development. The ENSP project is a prime example of such a partnership, dedicated to guiding seed sector transformation in Ethiopia. A mid-term evaluation was conducted to assess its progress and impact, providing valuable lessons for future focus areas. A mid-term review of the…
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Variety Testing for Registration Pilot Moving Forward
The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) is taking a significant step towards transforming the seed sector in Ethiopia. In collaboration with the Ethiopian Netherlands Seed Partnership (ENSP) and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the EAA is making strides in improving national variety performance testing and registration. To begin this initiative, a pilot project was…
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Contextualizing Seed Science and Technology curriculum that aligns with the needs of the seed sector in Ethiopia
Ansha Nure is a skill and carrier development expert at Ethiopia Netherlands Seed Partnership project. As part of her responsibilities, she facilitated the process of revising the SST curriculum of Bahirdar and Haramaya Universities. In this article, we delve into her reflections on the review process, the key elements that were scrutinized, and the significant…
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Stakeholders consulted on proposed regulatory service fees
The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) has taken a significant step towards enhancing its services, to this end the authority revised its regulatory service fees. The authority has revised its regulatory service fees, a move that is expected to have a positive impact on the quality and effectivence of agricultural regulatory services in the country. To…
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Bahir Dar University Takes Steps to Improve Seed Science and Technology Curriculum
The significance of seed science and technology in agriculture, as well as the seed industry, cannot be overstated. Seeds serve as the fundamental building blocks of agriculture, making it imperative for the industry to have access to skilled professionals proficient in improved seed production technology and seed business management. Unfortunately, the sector is currently facing…
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National Seed Quality Control Platform: significance and things to improve
The National Seed Quality Control Platform (NaSQC) in Ethiopia was established to standardize seed quality assurance practices across the country. The platform brings together regional and federal regulatory bodies for annual or biannual meetings to discuss and harmonize regulatory services. So far, the platform conducts about 11 rounds of meetings. Cognizant of the importance of…
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What can Ethiopian Seed Association do more to profile itself and enhance its relevance in the seed sector?
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…
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Ethiopia enacted a new seed law:opportunity for seed sector development
Early May 2023, Ethiopian parliament has enacted a new seed law, marking the third revision in the history of the country’s seed regulatory system. The first seed related regulation was in 1997, which was replaced by the seed law 206/2000. That was again revised and replaced by the seed law 782/2013. The new law is…
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Ethiopian Agricultural Authority piloting variety testing and registration
The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) is the sole responsible body in the variety release and registration process of Ethiopia. This means that the authority is mandated to accept applications and conduct DUS and VCU tests. However, the capacity of the authority is limited, as it has not secured its own testing sites for conducting the…
