www.issduganda.org

I n t e g r a t e d S e e d S e c t o r D e v e l o p m e n t U g a n d a P r o g r a m m e

Vision of ISSD Uganda

Through a vibrant and pluralistic seed sector, ensure that quality seed of superior varieties are available and affordable to a larger number of farmers, thereby contributing to agricul-ture for food security and eco-nomic development in Uganda.

ISSD Uganda

ISSD programs aims at developing a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector, by focusing on two outputs; 1) developing functional local seed businesses and 2) supporting the public sector in carrying out it’s

mandate in relation to the seed sector. It is assumed that these will lead to increased access to affordable quality seed of superior varieties for 100,000 smallhold-er farmers. Increased access to quality seed will increase volume of production, increase productivity and farm income and this will impact positively on food and nutri-tion security and economic development in Uganda. ISSD uses the following guiding principles as a tool in designing effective seed sector development programs. Build programs upon a variation of seed systems and foster pluralism Our first guiding principle is based on the fact that Small-holders farmers in Uganda gain access to seed

of sorghum, buy/exchange bean seed from a local seed business/provider, maize seed from a na-tional seed company, and onion seed from an in-ternational seed company. Each seed system has its own values and limitations which require a unique approach. ISSD therefore targets interven-tions in specific seed systems. Work according to the structure of the seed value chain A seed value chain covers the process of activities from management of plant genetic resources, va-riety development, early generation seed produc-tion, and seed multiplication to seed distribution and marketing. We map the operators, service providers and the institutions of the enabling envi-ronment in a seed chain, which differs among crops and specific chains, but most significantly between different seed systems.

Supporting a vibrant, pluralistic and market oriented seed sector

ISSD Guiding Principles

Email: info@ISSDuganda.org

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for example, in genetic resources management, systems may be linked through supporting Community Biodiversity Management. In variety development, crop breeders and farmers may interact through Participatory Variety Selection, while in seed production, seed management practices may be strengthened through seed extension and linkage to formal research and seed technology development centers. In seed dissemination, informal and formal systems may be linked through the establishment of local seed distribution outlets in farmer communities. Recognize complementary roles of the public

and private sector

Different stakeholders in the seed sector have different objectives and interests as well as complementary roles. Two predominant forces can be generalized, one is development-led and the other is market-led seed value chain operation. The development-led force focuses on seed and food security including the production of quality seed of improved varieties for the main food crops. The private sector on the other hand strives for efficiency and effectiveness in product development for maximizing profits, this entails among others, understanding what the market demands, it also requires an enabling environment that promotes quality seed production, food security and economic development.

Enabling and evolving policies supporting a

dynamic sector

ISSD provides support towards formulating seed related policies that do not discriminate against smallholder farmers and advocates for an enabling environment for a dynamic seed sector. This is in line with changing circumstances since the agricultural sector is dynamic. Promote evidence based seed sector innovation

Last but not least, through the ISSD approach, we promote evidence based seed sector innovation. We support limited adaptive research and studies to provide evidence for the design and implementation of the seed sector interventions. We also facilitate multi-stakeholder innovations platforms towards solving key seed sector bottlenecks, among the key actors included are knowledge institutions.

The objective is to design strategies to enhance the efficiency of the seed value chain. The importance of farmers as seed users and drivers of the chain is emphasized. Promote entrepreneurship and market

orientation

Entrepreneurship means making a business out of seed production and distribution and/or related seed services. Why entrepreneurship? Well, because by it’s

definition, it is market oriented and an important incentive for sustainable development. Entrepreneurship and market-orientation can be promoted in both formal and informal seed systems, for private as well as public actors in the seed value chain.

Recognize the relevance of the informal seed

systems

Despite all past public and private efforts in seed sector development, informal seed systems continue to dominate in Uganda, supplying more than 80% of the total seed used by farmers. Farmers mainly rely on the farmer-saved seed, as a source of seed for many important crops since seed from other sources is either limited or unavailable. Informal seed systems are particularly important for smallholder farmers in addressing food security and in promoting resilience under increasing uncertainty from climate change and variability. Facilitate interactions between informal and

formal seed systems

Farmers and formal sector professionals can be linked in various ways along the seed value chain,

Supporting a vibrant, pluralistic and market oriented seed sector

Email: info@ISSDuganda.org