Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR) Ethiopia

News

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…
Read more: Significant step forward in theEthiopia’s variety testing for release and registration
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…
Read more: Seed and Seed System Response Guideline – to alignhumanitarian and development efforts in fragile regions
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…
Read more: Teaming-up and collaborative strategies to enhanceHDP nexus for sustainable seed systemin fragile and conflict affected states
Internship opportunity

Background Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) is an international NGO registered in Ethiopia with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations since March 2021. The organization aims to promote more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. One of the roles of SWR Ethiopia, through its Ethiopia Seed Partnership (ESP) project, is enhancing…
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Coordination and collaborative strategies for advancing the Afar Region seed sector

A workshop was held on June 13, 2025, in Semera town to advance the Afar Regional State’s agricultural development through the establishment of a seed coordination committee. The initiative, aimed at transforming the region’s seed sector, seeks to foster collaboration and alignment among humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) building actors to address critical challenges in…
Read more: Coordination and collaborative strategies for advancing the Afar Region seed sector
Somali Regional State establishes seed coordination committee to enhance HDP Nexus collaboration

A workshop was held on May 14, 2025, in Jigjiga town, marking a significant step in the Somali Regional State’s efforts to transform its seed sector through the establishment of a seed coordination committee. The initiative aims to foster collaboration and coherence among humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) building actors to address critical challenges in…
Read more: Somali Regional State establishes seed coordination committee to enhance HDP Nexus collaboration
Humanitarian and development organizations in Tigray region endorses seed and seed system response guideline

In a significant development for the seed sector in Tigray, Ethiopia, Mercy Corps in collaboration with the regional seed core team has successfully facilitated the review and validation of the Seed and Seed System Response Guideline. This milestone was achieved after incorporating valuable feedback and inputs from various stakeholders, leading to the finalization of the…
Read more: Humanitarian and development organizations in Tigray region endorses seed and seed system response guideline
Synchronizing seed aid with sustainable seed system development in Tigray region

Mercy Corps Ethiopia organised a workshop on 30th April 2025 in Wukro town to validate draft guidelines and Terms of Reference (ToR) for Emergency Seed Aid Distribution in the Tigray region. This initiative aims to enhance governance and resilience in seed systems, promoting sustainable practices for both humanitarian and development contexts. The workshop was inaugurated…
Read more: Synchronizing seed aid with sustainable seed system development in Tigray region
Discussion forum on seed production plan, performance and seed sector coordination

On March 22, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP), facilitated a discussion forum in Adama to address seed production planning, performance evaluation, and sector coordination. The event brought together stakeholders from the Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Afar, Benshangulgumuz, Somali, Sidama, Southwest Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, Harari and Gambela regions, including…
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Efforts to combat counterfeit seeds with barcode tagging system

In an effort to tackle the persistent issue of counterfeit seeds in Ethiopia, the use of barcode technology for seed certification has gained significant momentum. Originally piloted in 2024, this innovative system has proven to be a game-changer in ensuring seed authenticity, strengthening regulatory efficiency, and enhancing farmer confidence. The Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) has…
Read more: Efforts to combat counterfeit seeds with barcode tagging system