Seed strategy to increase output of smallholder farmers

Access by smallholder farmers in northern Mozambique to improved varieties of hybrid and open-pollinated seed is critical if they are to improve their productivity and crop resilience to the impacts of an ever changing climate. The specific objectives of IITA are to:

• Increase the production and supply of breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds of common beans, cowpea, groundnut, pigeon pea, sesame and soybean;
• Scale up and enhance the adoption of improved varieties and best-management practices; and
• Enhance national policy dialogue on seed and fertiliser supply.

Genesis developed a seed business-development strategy for the IITA as a tool that will guide, orient and define expected outputs in how the project interacts and collaborates with seed stakeholders. The aim is to improve the capacity for management, planning, production and distribution of basic and certified seeds to farmers and other stakeholders in the project locations. Specifically, Genesis:

1. Identified problems and constraints that had led to inefficiencies in the seed systems in northern Mozambique;
2. Identified specific seed business services’ capacity development needs and provided remedial measures to overcome these through a clear capacity development plan; and
3. Provided guidance in how IITA could interact and collaborate with other stakeholders with the aim of developing sustainable and functional seed businesses in the project locations.