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Exploring new horizons: Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Ethiopia’s forage seed sector
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
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Direct Seed Marketing (DSM) to be resumed to address seed marketing challenges in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s agricultural sector stands as a cornerstone of the country’s economy, and the seed sector plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and improved agricultural productivity. However, the seed market in Ethiopia faces numerous challenges, particularly with issues related to carry-over seed. In 2025, the National Seed Technical Committee (NSTC) identified this issue as
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Collaborative planning for coordinated seed emergency response in Tigray
Recognizing the critical importance of sustainable seed systems in fragile contexts, a consultative and joint planning meeting was held on 30–31 December 2025 in Wukro town, Tigray region. The event brought together key humanitarian and development (HD) actors to discuss, jointly plan market-based seed response in the region. The meeting convened 37 participants representing government
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Restoring seed systems: A pathway to recovery and resilience in Tigray
In the wake of prolonged conflict in Tigray, the agricultural landscape has been profoundly disrupted, leaving farming communities grappling with severe challenges to their livelihoods. Among the most critical impacts has been the collapse of local seed systems—essential structures that underpin food production, income generation, and resilience for smallholder farmers. Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs) and
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Ethiopian Seed Partnership and Alage Agricultural TVET join forces to create young entrepreneurs
To foster entrepreneurship and development of the seed sector, the SWR Ethiopia ESP project has joined hands with Alage Agricultural TVET College to support the college’s Business Incubation Centre. This collaboration is set to change the way young trainees are prepared for entrepreneurial ventures in the seed sector and related agricultural businesses. The primary goal
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A new chapter of seed self-sufficiency for Benishangul Gumuz Region
The Benishangul-Gumuz Region, a fertile area in Ethiopia renowned for its agricultural potential, particularly in maize production, is taking significant strides toward achieving seed self-sufficiency. Historically, the region has been a key supplier of hybrid maize seed for the nation, with larger companies and public seed enterprises producing seeds in the area. However, the reliance
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Seed producer cooperatives visit Solagrow PLC to learn innovative potato seed multiplication technology
In its continued effort to address seed insecurity in Ethiopia, the SWR Ethiopia ESP project has partnered with Haramaya and Mekelle universities to enhance the supply of improved seeds through Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs). This collaboration focuses on upgrading the technical and infrastructural capacities of SPCs in East Hararghe and Tigray regions. By improving governance,
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Short term training on seed sector governance for seed professionals
The seed sector plays a pivotal role in shaping the agricultural landscape of Ethiopia. Recognizing the need to address challenges and enhance the capacity of professionals within the seed sector, SWR Ethiopia ESP project collaborated with Haramaya University and organized a short-term training program “Governance for Seed Sector Development.” This targeted training took place from
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Enhancing capacity and resilience of seed producer cooperatives in Oromia Region
In a commendable effort to address seed insecurity and enhance seed sector development in Ethiopia, the SWR Ethiopia ESP project has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the seed sector by supporting six Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs) in the East Hararghe zone of Oromia region. The project has focused on enhancing the capacity and efficiency of
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Afar region achieves historic milestone in seed response and development
The Afar Region has reached a significant milestone in its seed production and supply self-sufficiency effort with the official endorsement of its first Seed Response and Seed Development Guideline. This achievement marks a transformative step toward establishing resilient agricultural practices and a robust seed development system in the region. The endorsement event, facilitated by Mercy
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Second round of Seed Production and Business Management short course kicks off at Haramaya University
In its continued effort to address the skilled manpower gaps in Ethiopia’s seed sector, Haramaya University has launched the second round of its Seed Production and Business Management short course. The initiative, organized in collaboration with the SWR Ethiopia ESP project, aims to enhance the skills and expertise of seed professionals across the country. During
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ESP 4th round internship launch highlights graduate readiness
Empowering young graduates in the Ethiopian seed sector The fourth round of the ESP Internship Program has officially commenced, welcoming 28 recent graduates (including 8 women) with diverse educational backgrounds in plant science, horticulture, rural development, agricultural extension, agribusiness, and crop production. This initiative continues to serve as a platform for fostering skilled professionals in
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Mapping the HDP Nexus in Ethiopia: Key insights from Afar, Tigray, and Amhara Regions
In the fragile and conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia; Afar, Tigray, and Amhara, agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining livelihoods and fostering stability. However, the governance of agricultural systems, particularly seed governance, has emerged as a key challenge within the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus framework. A recent assessment by the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) sheds light
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Ethiopian Seed Partnership: Planning for 2026 and beyond
In late September 2025, the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) convened a four-day workshop in Hawassa. This gathering brought together members of the partnership; SWR Ethiopia, RESILIENT BV, Mercy Corps Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Seed Association; to reflect on achievements from 2024/25, strengthen collaboration, and develop a strategic roadmap for 2026 and beyond. The event was
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Strengtheningthe chickpea and grass pea value chains
As part of the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP), RESILIENCE BV Ethiopia, is actively enhancing the chickpea and grass pea value chains, which are important for ensuring food and nutrition security. These efforts align with ESP’s primary outcome area, which emphasizes strengthening the private seed sector. Recent developments in these value chains include stakeholder engagement and
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Strengthening seed labs for better seed certification service
The Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) has been actively working to bolster seed regulatory services across the country. As part of this initiative, ESP has focused on strengthening seed testing laboratories to ensure the delivery of high-quality seeds to farmers. Following an extensive assessment of existing seed laboratories, gaps were identified, including limited technical capacity among
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ESP internship success story: Aynadis Kifle’s journey from intern to entrepreneur
In this column of our newsletter, we highlight the incredible journey of Aynadiss Kifle, a determined young professional who turned her passion for horticulture into a thriving seed and agro-input business. Aynadiss’ story is a testament to the power of hard work, persistence, and the opportunities provided by programs like the internship program of ESP.
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Significant step forward in theEthiopia’s variety testing for release and registration
Ethiopia has achieved a significant milestone in its agricultural sector with the implementation of the new Seed Proclamation No. 1288/2023, particularly in the variety release and registration process for wheat and vegetable crops. This marks a major step forward in transforming the system, which was historically fragmented and inefficient due to the involvement of various
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Seed and Seed System Response Guideline – to alignhumanitarian and development efforts in fragile regions
The seed systems in seed-insecure regions of Ethiopia, such as Tigray, face significant challenges, often exacerbated by humanitarian seed aid that unintentionally disrupts local markets and systems. Recognizing this, Mercy Corps has spearheaded an initiative to develop the Seed and Seed System Response Guideline, a comprehensive framework aimed at fostering market-based seed interventions and strengthening
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Teaming-up and collaborative strategies to enhanceHDP nexus for sustainable seed systemin fragile and conflict affected states
In an effort to organize the seed sectors of the Somali and Afar Regional States, two separate workshops were held in Jigjiga and Semera towns on May 14 and June 13, 2025, respectively. The primary objective of these workshops is to lay the foundation for coordination mechanisms among humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) actors within
