In Butaleja district in eastern Uganda, women and youth face challenges in accessing quality seed. Seed Equal developed the youth and women quality centers (YWQC) model, which integrates behavior change strategies with technical interventions to overcome barriers in seed production and marketing across the seed value chain. The YWQC model was embedded within four farmer cooperatives and facilitated by partners, including Kilimo Trust, South-South Corporation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (PRiDE Project), Rikolto Uganda, Agricultural Crop Production Department in the districts, and the Doho Irrigation Farmers’ Cooperative.
Access to improved seed varieties for rice and beans remains a challenge in Uganda, as well as for other countries worldwide. Women face additional barriers due to a lack of information, financial constraints, and restricted access to critical resources such as land. Over the past two years, Seed Equal forged strategic partnerships to develop and implement training and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of women and youth in seed production and access to quality seed.
Strengthening seed systems in Uganda
Improved seed varieties are beneficial for multiple reasons. They are bred for climate, disease, and pest resistance, contributing to greater yields and food security. They often mature earlier and, in some cases, offer greater nutrition benefits than local varieties. In Butaleja district in Uganda, Seed Equal collaborated with four farmer cooperatives specializing in common beans and rice. Since 2023, 30 women and men farmers received training in seed production, resulting in 2.8 MT of certified bean seeds and 15.4 MT of quality declared seed rice being added to the market each season. As access to improved seed expanded, almost 600 farmers adopted high-quality seed varieties, including about 300 rice farmers and 300 bean farmers, evenly distributed among youth, women, and men.
Building on this success, Seed Equal extended the training programs to Burundi, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, reaching about 800 farmers. In Uganda’s Mpigi, Gomba, Butambala, Ssembabule, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Rakai, Kyotera, Masaka, Kiboga, Kasanda, and Mayuge districts, Seed Equal worked with SAWA Agricultural Development Company Limited (SADCL) to strengthen seed production and market linkages. Through this collaboration, six producer associations, comprising 441 farmers, received training on bean seed production. To enhance farmer learning, six technology transfer learning centers were established in Mpigi, Mityana, and Masaka. To date, these centers have trained 324 farmers (101 men, 223 women) in accessing and using improved quality seed to boost yields. Additionally, farmers were connected with market actors to facilitate seed sales and improve market access.
To ensure the production of high-quality seeds, farmers received comprehensive training on capacity building that covered:
• Good farming practices, including where to source seeds, types of seeds, and their proper use
• Seed production processes focusing on growing improved seed varieties, licensing, and best agronomic practices
• Business skills to equip farmers with manuals, training guides, and other communication materials, co-developed with the district production department and agricultural officers to train farmers on seed selection, farm management (agronomy), storage, and enterprise development
Through one regional radio station and four community radios, Seed Equal reached more than 205,000 listeners in Butaleja District and more than 1 million listeners across five surrounding districts. An endline study involving 853 rice and bean farmers showed significant improvements in the adoption of improved seed varieties. Adoption of improved rice varieties rose from 43 percent to 89 percent among youth farmers and from 38 percent to 91 percent among women farmers. Adoption of improved bean varieties increased from 67 percent to 98 percent for youth farmers and from 67 percent to 83 percent for women farmers.
Gender-intentional strategies for inclusive seed access
Through continued collaboration with the Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication, SADCL, Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation, and other stakeholders, Seed Equal co-developed gender-intentional strategies to promote inclusive seed access. These included:
• A social behavior change and communication strategy to increase awareness and adoption of quality seeds
• A policy brief and production manuals to improve equitable access to rice and common bean seeds
• Four YWQCs established as access points for seed-related information and training
Through the YWQCs, Seed Equal mobilized and trained 30 youth champions, including 50 percent of women, in seed business and financial management. Each champion was tasked with reaching 50 to 70 smallholder farmers, forming a network of more than 1,500 farmers (including 60 percent of women). This successful model is being scaled in Burundi, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Mozambique. In Masaka, Mityana, and Mpigi, Seed Equal trained an additional 221 farmers. Six community seed banks, which are locally governed institutions dedicated to the preservation and exchange of seeds, were established, increasing access to quality seeds for 484 farmers, the majority of whom were women.
Scaling impact and reaching millions
Collaborative efforts to promote the adoption of quality seed reached more than 1 million farmers. As these efforts expand across multiple countries, the Initiative remains committed to ensuring women and youth have equitable access to opportunities in seed production and marketing, driving inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
“We used to waste time gambling, but now we focus on farming, and it pays off. Farming is no longer just about survival; it’s a business and a way to build our future.”
Youth participants from Doho sharing a positive shift in mindset
Bean field inspection focusing on the use improved seeds, Uganda. Credit: Allan Bomuhangi (IRRI)
