Integrated Seed Systems Development Africa

Impact: smallholder farmers in fragile and conflict affected states have improved access to sufficient, high quality, affordable, diversified seed of locally adapted varieties farmers prefer, resulting in increased resilience, higher farm income, improved food and nutrition security and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity.

The main objective of the ISSD Africa phase 2 project is to strengthen a Community of Practice (CoP) comprising humanitarian, development and peace stakeholders (HDP-Nexus), which is able to support, steer, and implement sustainable seed sector interventions particularly adapted to fragile and conflict-affected states in Africa. 

Direct beneficiaries: HDP-Nexus partners working in the Seed Sector in Africa; African Governments and the African Union

End beneficiaries: small-scale farmers in Africa and particularly women and youth benefitting from improved seed aid

Outcome 1: An enabling structure for the effective facilitation of the CoP is operational and tailored to support the HDP-Nexus

Outcome 2: An African-grown solution to boost the HDP-Nexus in the seed sector has been developed

Outcome 3: The integration of ISSD Africa derived insights into HDP-Nexus seed sector interventions and policies are supported 

Resultados previstos:  

• International and African support units are functional and effective
• Action learning projects implemented and delivering results on seed sector development in the HDP-Nexus
• Policy dialogue facilitated using joint learnings on seed sector in the Nexus 

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

• Consolidated a Community of Practice in the seed sector in Africa
• Elaborated a range of tools and methodologies on seed sector development widely recognised by seed actors
• Disseminated learnings on improved seed sector interventions and used in policy dialogue endorsed by the AU

The project is a synergetic collaboration between 15 seed system development projects with main partners: Mercy Corps, SeedSystem, USAID-BHA, FAO, CGIAR, IFDC, as well as indirect partners such as WFP, ICRC, etc.

Linkages with SDC programs related to seeds and or food systems such as CROPS4HD, KIT, PROFISEM, MASAP, RLP, RAISE, SIRA, K-Rapid and actions of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid (ex. direct action in Ethiopia or others).