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Local Seed Business Newsletter
Issue 2; November 2009
Editorial
Local seed business
development in Amhara
In October, the five teams of Local Seed Business
(LSB) experts have started their work in documenting
and analysing experiences in seed production at the
local level, with the aim to develop good practices
which may guide partners in the regions in promoting
commercial approaches towards achieving durable
economic development and seed security. The current
2nd edition of the LSB Newsletter is the first one
which focuses on one region, being Amhara region,
where the programme is coordinated by Bahir Dar
University, with key partners in project implementation
being the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development
(BoARD), Amhara Regional Agricultural Research
Institute (ARARI), Organization for Rehabilitation and
Development of the Amhara Region (ORDA), Ethiopian
Organic Seed Action (EOSA) and Ethiopian Seed
Enterprise (ESE). This issue is compiled by Tadesse
Dessalegn, Kiflemariam Yehuwala, Abebaw Asefa,
Walter de Boef and Marja Thijssen. We aim with the
regional focus to share the regional diversity but also
commonalities related to LSB development among the
regions in the LSB project.
Outline of this issue
The editors of this issue provide some general
background information on seed production in Amhara
region. A strong basis for LSB development are
schemes of farmer based seed production. Both LSB
sites presented in this issue have their foundation in
such schemes. In the Woken site the scheme was
started by ESE but follow up was given by ORDA.
Woken is located in the seed insecure highlands of
North Gonder zone near Mount Ras Dashen. Over the
past four years the area for seed production increased
by about 50%, with the degree of seed being
inspected and certified increased up to fivefold. When
available, farmers in Woken increasingly purchase
quality seed, making the site interesting to promote
LSBs. In Womberima in the West Gojjam zone, farmer
based seed production is lead by ESE in cooperation
with BoARD. A significant part of the wheat and maize
hybrid seed as produced in Amhara region is
produced in farmer seed production schemes in this
area. The location is interesting to see to what degree
the scheme has a potential for farmers establishing
LSBs, assuming the evolution from farmer seed
production under contractual basis to more
autonomous commercial seed production and
marketing.
The Newsletter includes descriptions of two student
projects. The project of Mesay Yami (Economics,
Haramaya University) addresses the constraints and
opportunities of scalingup of seed production and
marketing system in Western Gojam. Tadelle Gashu
(Economics, Haramaya University) assesses farmers’
willingness to participate in contractual wheat and
Faba bean seed production. Both studies have the
potential in contributing towards developing pathways
by which farmer based seed production in Amhara
may develop towards more autonomous and
commercial LSBs.
Four staff members of important partners of the LSB
project joined the international training on plant
genetic resources and seeds in Jeypore, India as
organized by Wageningen International and the M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation last October. In
their contribution they share their experiences.
LSB project
the LSB project is a joint effort of Bahir Dar University,
Haramaya University, Hawassa University, Mekelle
University, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute,
Oromia Seed Enterprise and Wageningen International.
Partners include several organizations within Regional
Government (BoARD and RARIs), Federal Government
(EIAR and ESE) and NGOs (EOSA, ORDA, REST, SHDI
and several others). The project is funded by the
Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and
Food Quality through the Royal Netherlands Embassy
in Addis Ababa.
Contact and information
Fore more information on the LSB project please
approach one of the coordinators or visit the website:
http://portals.wi.wur.nl/agrobiodiversity/ Local
Seed Business Project

Seed demands and attempts of supporting seed supply in the
Amhara Region
By Tadesse Dessalegn, Kiflemariam Yehuwala and Abebaw Asefa
The Amhara National Regional State occupies much of the north
western and north eastern parts of Ethiopia constituting about
14.4% of the total area of the country. The total population of
the region is estimated to be 19.1 million of which 88% depends
on agriculture for their livelihood. Crop production of cereals,
pulses, oil crops, fiber crops, fruits and vegetables are the main
agricultural activities.
Production characterized by low
productivity
Out of the total area of the region, 3.7 million hectare of land is
used for crop production. Production of cereals 70%, pulses
15%, oil seed crops 8% and others 8%. The average productivity
of crops is as low as 10 Qt per hectare, which is below the
national and international average and very far below the
region’s potential. The major reasons for low productivity include
crop pests and diseases, inadequate farming practices,
insufficient input utilization (including quality seed, improved
varieties, fertilizer, pesticides, and improved farm equipments).
Demand for seed a top priority
Amhara is the country’s second important region based on its
agricultural activity. Its potential is, however, hampered by
insufficient seed production and supply. Currently, seed
suppliers of improved varieties in the region are the Ethiopian
Seed Enterprise (ESE), Pioneer Hybrid, and more recently some
private investors; they are involved in seed production and
marketing. However, the supply does not satisfy demand. Highly
demanded seeds are those of hybrid maize, wheat, malt barley,
potato, pulses and horticultural crops. With an increasing rural
population and shrinking land holdings, farmer households
inevitably need to increase productivity per hectare in order to
meet household food demands. This implies that intensification
of crop production with the utilization of agricultural inputs is not
a matter of choice but rather is a necessity. Seeds as genetic
carriers of high yield potential and other different innovations are
among indispensable inputs in the Amhara farming community.
Farmer based seed production: the major
source
During the 2008/09 cropping season, the Amhara Bureau of
Agriculture and Rural Development (BoARD) estimated that a
total area of 5371 hectares (ha) of land in the region was used
for seed production of maize, wheat, barley, faba bean, etc in
some type of informal arrangements.
• 3785 ha (70%) was produced under contractual
arrangements in farmers fields with the technical support of
different government organizations;
• 1165 ha (21%) was produced by ESE on their own farm and
private contractual farms; and
• 421 ha (9%) was produced by private seed producers.
The figures indicate that farmers are highly involved in devoting
their land, labour and other resources in seed production and
supply; it should be taken into consideration with the small land
holdings, the number of farmers involved in seed production is
very high. Stakeholders involved in facilitating this complex
process of seed production under contractual arrangements
include BoARD, research institutes, ESE, NGOs, Universities,
Coops Agencies, Private Seed Enterprises, and farmers’
cooperatives. They are joining hands towards scaling up
farmers’ seed production and marketing efforts. The extensive
experience of onfarm seed multiplication and distribution with
farmers provides an opportunity for promoting farmers
establishing own seed producer cooperatives that may evolve
into local seed businesses.
Cluster approach: step towards up scaling
The farmers’ seed production scheme has used in several
strategic woredas a “cluster approach” of pulling together
neighbouring farmers in seed production. The approach has
been successful because of the advantages of enhanced access
for inspection, access for technicians providing technical
support during production, seed harvesting, processing and
marketing. From such seed production schemes, some farmers’
Holker malt barley variety, Ankesha woreda
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 2

organizations/groups could emerge as seed business entities.
High onfarm performance of improved cultivars of hybrid maize,
Faba bean, malt barley and wheat was observed at farmers’
fields.
Formal structures supporting seed
production
The BoARD managed farmers based seed multiplication scheme
is operational in the season 2008/9 on 35 potential woredas.
The woredas were designated for seed production of improved
varieties of different crops. Technical support was provided by
BoARD. Farmers, however, have demonstrated their potential of
producing quality seed, processing, packing and marketing; their
capabilities should be further strengthened with knowledge and
facilities. Crop specialization and marketing should be
emphasized based on the locality’s potential. The official seed
quality control and certification is handled by the Regional
BoARD Inspection and Quality Control Section; four miniseed
testing facilities are located at different zones of the region
(DebreMrkos, Durbete, Gondar, and Dessie); they serve as seed
certification laboratories.
LSB project in Amhara
In cognizant to the situation concerning seed supply in Amhara,
Bahir Dar University in collaboration with Wageningen
International and several partners in the region such as BoARD,
ESE, Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI),
Organization for Rehabilitation and Development of the Amhara
Region (ORDA), and Ethiopian Organic Seed Action are working
together to enhance seed business at the woreda level. Bahir
Dar University, as coordination unit of the Local Seed Business
(LSB) Project in Amhara Region, is located in the heart of the
most productive part of the region. Its college of agriculture and
The Amhara Region innovator team
Dawit Tsegaye was born in Addis Ababa. He graduated in Plant
Sciences from Haramaya University . He has been working as
researcher and development worker in several research and
development oriented organizations like Amhara Regional
Agricultural Research Institute, Food for Hunger/Ethiopia,
International Livestock Research Institute/ Improving Productivity
& Market Success (ILRI/IPMS) project. He has good experience
in agricultural research, participatory variety development
activities, seed multiplication and livelihood improvement. Dawit
is working as seed expert in the LSB project based at Bahir Dar
University.
Seid Mohammed was born in Wollo, Amhara Region. He earned
his BSc degree in Accounting and MSc in Cooperative Marketing
from Mekele University. Since 1983, he has been working in
environmental sciences has the mandate of education and
research in different disciplines of agriculture. The Department
of Plant Sciences has taken the role of coordinating
collaboration with local government and nongovernmental
partners in the LSB project. The role of the Bahir Dar University
is to contribute to the project in documenting and analyzing the
seed production and business efforts in the region at selected
local level seed production and marketing sites; and through its
LSB innovator team from 2009 onwards provide advisory
services for promoting commercial seed production through
local seed businesses in the region. In all its activities in the
region, Bahir Dar University will work in close collaboration with
its partners that with the farmer organizations are the key
beneficiaries of the LSB project.
LSB innovation sites
Preliminary consultations among regional stakeholders indicated
that there are fragmented but progressive efforts in seed
business in several parts of the region. Six local farmers’ seed
producing sites (LSB innovation sites) have been identified by the
partners involved in the LSB project in Amhara. They have been
selected to cover a variety of situations in opportunities to
promote local seed business development: Dabat, Abola
Goshiye, Gusha Shinkurta, Womberima, Merawi and Habru. They
have been selected for documentation and analysis, and for
initial accelerating local seed business development.
The authors Dr Tadesse Dessalegn and Ato Kiflemariam
Yehuwala are respectively coordinator and assistant coordinator
of the LSB project in Amhara. Ato Abebaw Asefa is seed expert
at BoARD and in this capacity associated as key partner to the
LSB project.
The Amhara Region coordination and innovator team:
Dr Tadesse Tadelle, Ato Kiflemariam Yehuwala, Ato Dawit
Tsegaye, Ato Seid Mohammed and Ato Daniel Tilahun.
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 3

different organizations and at different positions: project
accountant, finance head, support head, a senior performance
auditor and procurement and supplies management head in the
Amhara Regional State Agricultural and Natural Resources
Bureau. He was also involved in various rural development
activities particularly in natural resource development and
sustainable environmental and agricultural rehabilitation
activities. He participated on various developmental workshops
and short term training both at national and international level.
Seid is working as agribusiness expert in the LSB project based
at Bahir Dar University.
Daniel Tilahun was born at Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. He
completed his BSc in Agricultural Extension and MSc in
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from Haramaya
University. He worked in the Amhara Regional Agricultural
Research Institute at Adet research center as researcher for
more than eight years. He has good experience in farmer
research group organization, technology demonstration and
promotion. Daniel is working in the LSB project based at Bahir
Dar University as farmer organization expert.
Woken LSB site, Amhara Region
Farmers seed producer groups supported by ORDA with potential to LSB
By Nega Mekonen, Organization for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Amhara Region
Dabat: food insecure highland district
Dabat district is located in North Gondar Zone, Amhara region. It
is about 110 km away from Gondar town and 270 km from Bahir
Dar. The district is located near Mount Ras Dashen, the highest
mountain of Ethiopia. The district is considered one of Amhara’s
areas with the highest food insecurity. The major part of the
district is located at high altitude range. The dominant farming
system is predominantly rainfed cereallivestock mixed farming
system. The rainfall distribution is characterized by erratic
rainfall; the annual total rainfall is however sufficient for good
crop production. Wheat, barley, Faba bean, grass pea and lentil
are the major crops
ESE’s initial effort in farmer based seed
production
Seed multiplication in Woken as structured activities was initiated
by BoARD with the support of FAO in 1996 with the objective to
purchase quality seed through cooperatives and unions from
farmers. The Ethiopia Seed Enterprise – Bahir Dar Branch (ESE
BDB) tried to produce seed of several crops by signing
agreements with individual farmers through multipurpose
cooperatives. The efforts in this regard appeared not to be
viable for two major reasons: (i) farmers’ unwillingness to sell
back the seed to ESE since they considered the price offered
lower than those they could get in the market; and (ii) farmers’
unwillingness to weed their fields timely and the consequent
infestation of ‘seed born weeds’, which are noxious weeds and
known to exist only in the Woken and neighbouring districts.
Moreover, the approach employed was that the farmer was
selected before observing the suitability of his farm for seed
production.
ORDA effort
In 2005 (project ended in 2008), the Organization for
Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara region (ORDA)
designed a five years programme funded by a regional food
security programme coordination and disaster prevention office.
The objective was to establish a model scheme for community
based crop seed multiplication that would ensure availability and
distribution of adequate quality seed of improved varieties at
local levels. The project has revitalized the ESE’s experiences of
farmers based seed multiplication and tried to overcome the
identified problems. The new approach attempted to help
farmers themselves to manage some of processes of seed
multiplication such as site selection, clustering neighbouring
farmers, and marketing seed to ESE on contractual basis.
Status of seed multiplication
Table 1. Four year status of seed multiplication activity in terms
of area coverage in Dabat
Year Total area Inspected area Certified area
(ha)
(ha)
(ha)
2005 84 52 20
2006 40 37 31
2007 79 74 72
2008 120 120 116
Source: ORDA
Table 1 shows the trends of area allocated for seed production,
area inspected and area certified for the years that ORDA is
implementing the project. The proportion of inspected and
certified area has increased significantly from year to year.
These figures are an indication for the improvement of farmers’
willingness and technical capacity to manage the seed
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 4

multiplication field properly, moreover, it shows enhanced
capacity of ORDA and BoARD to facilitate inspection and
certification.
Table 2. Trends of wheat seed production and marketing at
Dabat
Year Seed produced (qt) Seed purchased (qt)
2005 315 11
2006 800 440
2007 1000 501
2008 2474 1000
Source: ORDA
The marketing efficiency, which is defined as the quality of seed
produced and purchased from farmer is presented in table 2.
Marwoled LSB site, Amhara Region
The quantity of seed purchased from farmers by BoARD and
some NGOs at the beginning of the programme (2005) was only
3% but on the following successive years the amount increased
significantly. This indicates how quality seed attracted the
market. BoARD and ORDA facilitated searching for seed
demanding kebeles/woredas, market surveys after harvest,
purchase of the seed from farmers before selling to seed users,
transportation and safe storage, etc, until the farmers
association stand by their own. There is an attempt of
legalization of the farmers association as formal seed
producers. Such progressive activity attracted farmers from
adjacent peasant associations and they are requested to be
members of the seed multipliers group.
Dabat: opportunity for LSB development
Such efforts are ahead of any attempt to start seed production
and marketing afresh and could evolve easily as LSBs.
Technically equipped ESE contract seed producers with potential to LSB
By Mohammed Abdi, Ethiopian Seed Enterprise – Bahir Dar Branch
Womberima is one of the 11 districts of the west Gojjam zone of
the Amhara region. The altitude of the district varies from 1,500
– 2,400 masl and the average annual rainfall is about 1,260
mm. The general agroecological condition is suitable to grow
crops like maize, wheat, teff, finger millet, pepper, pulse crops
and oil crops.
Farmers and their organization on seed
production
Farmers in Marwoled site have a good experience with seed
multiplication of varieties of several crops, in particular bread
wheat, Faba bean, pepper and hybrid maize. Bread wheat was
introduced in the area 10 years ago, when the ESE with support
of the World Bank implemented with regional partners the
Farmers Based Seed Multiplication and Marketing Scheme.
Through time the organization of seed multiplication was
adapted by farmers; now farmers in Marwoled are producing
several varieties of bread wheat, Faba bean, pepper and hybrid
maize. The number of farmers engaged in seed business has
increased over time. In 2008, for instance, a total of 193
farmers (186 males and 7 females) participated in seed
multiplication activities with an area of 126 ha of land in two
clusters.
Trend of seed production and marketing
Crop and variety selection is made based on market demand
and farmers preference. Farmers organized themselves based
Table 1. Trend of contractual seed production status in
Womberima district
Year Crop Variety
Certified area (ha)
Womberima Amhara
2007 Wheat HAR 1685 249 575
HAR 2501 30 30
2008 Maize BH 660; rainfed 9.4 58
BH 660; irrigated 5.3 55
2009 Wheat HAR 1685 800* 2,041*
Maize BH 660 50* 67*
Faba
bean
Degaga 31* 35*
Year Crop Variety
Yield (qt)
Womberima Amhara
2007 Wheat HAR 1685 8,931 17,792
HAR 2501 984 984
2008 Maize BH 660; rainfed 284 1,106
BH 660; irrigated 104 1,093
*seed certification under process; Source: ESEBDB
on seed multiplication site i.e., suitable sites for clustering were
selected first and then farmers owning those sites were
organized as contract growers. Extension personnel at various
levels support the clusters of farmers. Consequently, farmers
are committed to exercise recommended agronomic practices
required for seed production. The regional and district
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 5

Hybrid maize BH 660, Womberima District
agriculture and rural development offices and Ethiopia Seed
Enterprise Bahir Dar Branch (ESEBDB) office support to study
market information within a defined boundary in the contractual
agreement. Finally, the seed is sold to the ESEBDB.
In the past, significant efforts have been made for the
improvement of seed production in the area. The allocation of
land by farmers for seed production increased from time to
time, and willingness of farmers to include additional crop
varieties which have market demand increased (Table 1). The
amount of wheat seed produced in 2007 by ESE in the region is
21,892 qt of which 9,915 qt (45%) obtained from the district. In
2008, the total maize hybrid produced by ESEBDB in the district
was 389 qt which was about 18% of the total hybrid maize seed
production in the region by ESEBDB. The area allocated by
farmers in 2009 increased compared to previous years. The
land covered by hybrid maize (BH 660), wheat (HAR 1685) and
Faba bean (variety Degaga) was 800 ha, 50 ha and 31 ha,
respectively.
Wombirema: opportunity for LSB
development
Generally, farmers have enough technical experience of
producing seeds of maize and wheat. They were organized as
an informal group but are potentially ready and can easily
develop as legal LSB unit.
Constraints and opportunities of scalingup of seed production
and marketing system in Western Gojam:
A case study in Mecha and Andent Districts
Student: Mesay Yami
Justification for the study
Local seed systems are the predominant source of seed of the
majority of crop seeds in Ethiopia. Less than 10% of the seed
used by farmers is supplied by the formal sector. Formal seed
production and multiplication in Ethiopia is largely left to a state
run seed enterprise, few NGOs and private traders. The
country's agricultural research system has developed and
released nearly 400 varieties of 50 crops in recent years since
1950s; agencies involved in seed production such as ESE and
BoARD have been able to produce 80 varieties of 20 crops. This
situation in Ethiopia and experiences learnt from other
developing countries show that location specific involvement of
farmers' groups in the production and distribution of seed is one
of the ways to increase availability of seed. Involvement of
farmers groups or enterprises in seed production appears as
mechanism to develop a more flexible structure for seed
marketing, which will provide the demanded variety, crop and
type of quality. Such farmer produced seed may contribute in
seed meeting farmers’ demands in a required quantity and time
at reasonably acceptable price.
Farmer groups: assessment of marketing
and production potential
Seed trade associations, government agribusiness promotion
programmes, and NGOs have a potential role in promoting
improvements in production, marketing, and distribution systems
for farmer seed producers and their organisation. Farmer seed
producers groups can be quite efficient and some have the
potential to expand to specialized, small or mediumsized seed
companies. Therefore, information on the factors that determine
the potential in marketing and supply of farmers’ seed
producers’ groups need to be investigated. Existing linkage
between farmers, cooperatives and other stakeholders are also
relevant in order to recommend more effective mechanisms for
seed production and marketing by farmer producer groups.
Objectives of the study
The study has the following objectives:
• Identify factors that contribute to farmer’s participation in
improved seed multiplication activity
• Analyze the performance for the seed multiplied
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 6

• Identify the major constraints and opportunities in seed
production and marketing
Location and methodology
Mesay is conducting his research in western Gojam, in Mecha
and Andent Districts. The site is highly potential area for crop
production, wellbuilt irrigation infrastructure and the area is the
1st in purchasing and growing hybrid seed. Farmers were
organized in groups and contractual seed farming is common
wheare BoARD and ESE are partners in the scheme. Primary and
secondary data will be collected using interviews of both seed
producers and seed purchases (consumers) that will be sampled
using a structured method. Further information will be collected
through key informants interviews and focus group discussions.
Information about production potentials and constraints,
transportation, storage, product handling, prices will be
collected. Focus group discussion will provide information about
the production potential, constraints, marketing channels,
marketing functions and constraints were assessed in the
intensive focus group discussions using detailed checklists.
The research and LSB
Mesay’s research is relevant for the LSB project for making a
specific marketing and economic analysis of the structure and
potential of the farmer based seed production scheme. It is
particularly relevant to analyze the potential of specific organized
groups of farmers that operate within such schemes becoming
local seed businesses. As learnt from previous experiences,
capabilities in marketing and access to marketing information
are extremely relevant determinants for the potential success of
farmer groups engaged within seed production. The research
outputs will be translated into recommendations for several
government agencies and NGOs engaged in seed production for
the enhancing the effectiveness of strategies that support
scaling up seed production and marketing. Mesay is conducting
his MSc study within the Department of Economics of the
Haramaya University. His adviser is Dr Girma Tessfa.
Assessment of farmers’ willingness to participate in
contractual wheat and Faba bean seed production in North
Gondar: The case of Dabat (Woken)
Student: Tadelle Gashu
Justification for the study
Availability of quality seed is crucial for increasing agricultural
productivity in Ethiopia. However, a trend shows that seed
production and distribution is not yet effective in meeting such
demands. Farmers have the option between farm produced seed
or the purchase quality seed of improved varieties which in many
cases may not be affordable. In order to make the farming
system efficient and sustainable it is important that farmers have
access to the necessary inputs. In order to increase the
availability of quality seed farmers are engaged ins several types
of farmer based seed production schemes which capacitate
them to produce quality seed, assist in various forms their with
marketing information or take over responsibility to market the
produce seed at local level or beyond. Such schemes have
emerged and create opportunities to enhance the supply of seed
in the country. Hence, contractual farming programme is one of
options of seed production and supply for Ethiopian smallscale
farmers. An analysis of such schemes in the way they structured
and to what degree they empower farmers in their position in the
seed production chain is relevant in the context of promoting
local seed business development as supported in the LSB
project.
Objectives of the study
The study has the following objectives:
• Identify factors that affect farmers’ willingness to participate
in contractual wheat and Faba bean seed production;
• Assess the profit margin of farmers joining in such seed
production schemes; and
• Assess the major causes for violation of contracts by farmers
join in these seed production schemes.
Location and methodology
The study is implemented in Dabat (Woken). Dabat is located in
the northern part of Amhara region. It is found in the higher
altitude where barley, wheat and beans are the most important
crops. Three kebeles are randomly selected among all kebeles
involved in contractual farming in Woken district. Both farmers
contracted and noncontracted in seed production will be
interviewed using a set questionnaire in order to compare the
difference in perception to joining in contractual seed
production. The two groups of farmers will be compared with
respect to socioeconomic and institutional characteristics. The
farmers’ willingness on contractual seed production of wheat
and maize will be assessed using a number of independent
variables using various economic models and methodologies.
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 7

The study and LSB development
The study by Tadele will indicate how farmers will be direct
beneficiaries of the joining in contractual seed production in
economic and technical knowledge accumulation. The study will
demonstrate to what degree farmers are aware of value added
activities that can enable to sell seed within the contractual
arrangement for reasonable price. Within the context of the LSB
project, the study is relevant as it will provide indicators whether
participation in such schemes result in a higher production
efficiency and productivity increase; farmers’ market problems
are resolved through the guaranteed market through contract,
or whether they opt for wider market opportunities. The latter
will be provide inputs for designing strategies for groups of
organized farmers with the experience working in contract seed
production that may opt to establish their local seed business.
Tadele is conducting his MSc study within the Department of
Economics of the Haramaya University. His adviser is Dr Girma
Tessfa.
Training programme on Plant Genetic Resources and Seeds
By Reta Wegary Gissa and Mulugeta Balema Asgedom
Training on plant genetic resources and
seeds
In October Wageningen International and the Centre for Genetic
Resources, The Netherlands in cooperation with the M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in India organized
the international training programme on Plant Genetic Resources
and Seeds: Policies, Conservation and Use. From 12 to 23
October four Ethiopian professionals participated with an LSB
fellowship in the training module on participatory approaches in
genetic resources management: Abebaw Biwota (BoARD –
Amhara), Teklu Deresse Zemedkun (BoARD – SNNPR), Mulugeta
Balema Asgedom (BoARD – Tigray) and Reta Wegari Gissa (East
Hararghe Cooperative Promotion Office). The aim of this training
module was to assist participants in designing effective genetic
resources and seeds programmes, while actively involving
farmers and other stakeholders, and linking the farmers’ and the
formal system.
Training topics
The training addressed the following topics: formal and informal
genetic resources and seed systems; agrobiodiversity
conservation and management; empowerment and genetic
resources management; community biodiversity management;
participatory crop improvement; integrated approaches to seed
sector development; and methodologies for participatory
learning and action. The training was important in sharing
experience with participants from different countries who have a
long experience with community biodiversity management,
participatory variety selection and community seed banks. It
allowed us to compare their experience with our experience in
Ethiopia using these approaches. The seed banking as facilitated
by MSSRF at village level, in our country also supported through
NGOs like for example REST in Tigray, gave us some crucial
ideas on how to work on seed security in a sustainable way.
Group work in PGR and seeds training
Training methodology
We appreciated the way the training was designed. First the
topics were addressed through presentations. Topics addressed
in the training were important in enabling us to easily understand
the issues in genetic resources management, crop improvement
and seed supply, and to explore possible options for
interventions. Second, the training contained intensive practical
group work. Discussions and field work highly matched the
theoretical parts of every topic addressed. The experience of
the field study, with its extensive preparation, implementation
through meetings with farmer communities in Jeypore, and its
detailed analysis, will help us in our future efforts of working with
farmers. Third, the participants, with their diverse professional
background and experience were considered as an input to the
training. This feature of the training enabled participants to share
their experiences easily. Even though participants were from
Asia, Brazil and Ethiopia, we felt like ‘birds of the same feather
flying together’; this experience sharing made the training
attractive and participatory.
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 8

Support of seed supply
In Ethiopia, in spite of a growing demand of farmers for
improved seed, limited attempts have been made to improve the
seed supply system. Newly released varieties are only available
in small quantities through the agricultural research centers and
universities. Fewer attempts have been made to multiply and
distribute seeds locally through farmer union’s primary
cooperatives and farmer groups. The training with its focus on
linking formal and informal plant genetic resources and seed
Contact persons LSB Project
systems, gives us new ideas on how to use integrated
approaches to seed sector development to strengthen seed
supply. And we hope that through our organizations, we may
contribute to the success of the LSB project.
The authors Reta Wegary Gissa and Mulugeta Balema Asgedom
are manager of the East Hararghe Cooperative Promotion Office
and Technology Multiplication expert of the BoARD in Tigray
respectively.
Organization Person Position within LSB Email
Bahir Dar University Dr Tadesse Dessalegn Amhara regional coordinator tadesseyfb@yahoo.com
Hawassa University Dr Hussein Mohammed SNNPR regional coordinator aaminaa68@yahoo.com
Haramaya University Dr Nigussie Dechassa Oromia East regional coordinator ndechassa@yahoo.com
Mekelle University Dr Fetien Abay Tigray regional coordinator fetien.abay@yahoo.com
Oromia Seed Enterprise Ato Kedir Nefo Oromia South and West coordinator kedirnefobiftu@yahoo.com
Oromia Agricultural
Research Institute
Dr Amsalu Ayana Oromia South and West coordinator ayana6a@yahoo.com
Wageningen International Dr Marja Thijssen LSB – WUR coordinator marja.thijssen@wur.nl
Wageningen International Dr Walter de Boef LSB – Advisor walterdeboef@gmail.com
Royal Netherlands Embassy Mr Joep van den Broek ISSD coordinator joep.vandenbroek@gmail.com
Local Seed Business Newsletter 2 (November 2009) 9