Creating Policies for Scaling Smallholder Access to Quality Seed

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The production of quality seed requires high technical expertise and specific equipment and infrastructure. In many developing countries, this is undertaken by the public sector’s breeding institutions. Unfortunately, these institutions often face obstacles in making adequate amounts of quality seed available to farmers in a timely manner. A landmark new study conducted by Monitor Deloitte and funded by USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-provides a new framework that could help address seed availability issues by looking at different types of seed development and distribution systems. Pradeep Prabhala, one of the authors of this study, will join the Ag Sector Council Seminar to discuss this the policy implications of this study’s findings.

Furthermore, seed policy formulation should be designed with the wider context of national agricultural policy development in mind—ensuring synergy and consistency with environmental, trade and socioeconomic policies. Charlee Doom from the USAID East Africa Regional Mission will discuss efforts to standardize regulations and streamline the process of getting improved varieties into the hands of farmers.

This Ag Sector Council seminar, which occured on Wednesday June 24, explored:

  • Early generation seed market archetypes in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Eastern Africa trade harmonization efforts to improve seed access

Speakers

Mark Huisenga

BFS/USAID

Mark Huisenga is a Senior Program Manager in USAID’s Bureau for Food Security working on Feed the Future programs. He manages the Scaling Seeds and Technology Partnership, conducts investment due diligence and modeling, and analyzes commercial, legal and institutional reforms for agricultural development. Mark has also researched approaches to breeder and foundation seed production by US states and was a key contributor to the “Early Generation Seeds Study,” co-funded by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Pradeep Prabhala

Monitor Deloitte

Pradeep is a Senior Manager with Monitor Deloitte. He leads Monitor Deloitte’s work in Agriculture and Food Security in Emerging Markets and has worked extensively across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East. He has led Monitor Deloitte’s work with USAID on Feed the Future Private Sector Action Plans and has supported governments across Africa and Asia on transforming agriculture sectors through inclusive private investments. He also has extensive experience in Fertilizer and Seeds systems in Africa and has led several engagements with various development actors such as USAID, the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Rockefeller foundation.

Charlee Doom

USAID

Charlee Doom manages the Integrated Partnership Assistance Agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Her work with this portfolio focuses on seed, biotechnology, and fertilizer regional policy harmonization in the 19 Member States of COMESA. She also manages the agricultural component of the East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. Prior to working at USAID, Doom worked in the private sector for firms including Bunge Global Agribusiness, BASF – The Chemical Company, and Monsanto Company.

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