Inclusive Delivery unpacks pathways to strengthen seed systems for smallholder farmers

At an engaging side event hosted by CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow Science Program, stakeholders from across the agricultural landscape gathered for a high-level panel discussion entitled “Inclusive Delivery – Creating Strategic Roadmaps and Innovations for Accelerated Reach, Uptake, and Impact of CGIAR-NARES-led Breeding Programs.” 

Held at the United Nations Campus in Nairobi on April 11, 2025, the panel brought together leaders from government, NGOs, trade unions, research extension systems and the private sector to explore how inclusive seed systems can transform the lives of smallholder farmers across the globe. 

Chris Ojiewo from CIMMYT who leads the Inclusive Delivery Area of Work within CGIAR Breeding for Tomorrow Science Program, opened the event with an overview of this critical focus area. He emphasized that for research innovations to be truly inclusive, they must be accessible, equitable, and responsive to the real needs of farmers and stakeholders across the value chain. 

Ajay Panchbhai, Africa Regional Breeding and Seed System Lead in International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), who moderated the panel, guided the conversation through critical topics, from variety development through policy harmonization, to the importance of partnerships in delivering quality seed of improved varieties to the last mile users.

Farmers first: demand, supply, and value proposition

At the heart of the discussions, there was a clear consensus that improved varieties will only be adopted at scale if they bring a clear value proposition to farmers and other end users. “Farmers will plant what they trust and what brings them value,” said Jane Ininda of AGRA. “Creating demand for open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) developed by the public sector is essential – but it starts with awareness, access, and trust.” 

Supply must also be in response to demand signals. That means supporting national breeding programs with resources, coordination, and planning units that align breeding outputs with farmer needs and local market realities. 

Partnerships: the glue of functional seed systems

Across the panel, the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships was emphasized as foundational to functional seed systems. Government agencies, NGOs, private sector, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems, and CGIAR all have a role to play — but coordination remains a major bottleneck. 

Clement Adjorlolo from AUDA-NEPAD highlighted the need for robust planning and implementation of partnerships. “It’s not just about who is at the table. It’s about ensuring all voices – including farmers’ – are heard and empowered to act,” he stated. 

Manzoor Hussain Dar from ICRISAT echoed the need for trust-building, pointing out that CGIAR can play a catalytic role in creating a shared vision and harmonized efforts across stakeholders.

Breaking barriers: policy, capacity, and infrastructure

Policy misalignment across African countries was identified as a major constraint. Beatrice Egulu of the African Union noted, “We are seeing real struggles to harmonize policies and regulations, which makes regional integration difficult. It would help if all of us worked toward a common agreement to create an enabling environment”. 

The panel also addressed systemic issues like limited infrastructure, capacity constraints, and regulatory gaps in seed systems. Catherine Langat from the African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA) emphasized the private sector’s frustration with the lack of regulatory coordination, saying, “Moving seeds and plant reproductive materials across borders remains a logistical and legal headache for seed companies, due to bureaucracy and cumbersome, inconsistent procedures in the cross-border movement.”

Inclusive Delivery panelists at CGIAR Science Week, April 2025. Credit: Breeding for Tomorrow.

Equity and participation: Inclusive Delivery in action

The panel agreed that equitable access to seeds remains one of the biggest challenges, especially for marginalized and resource-poor farmers. Strengthening participatory breeding approaches that reflect local cultural and agro-ecological realities was flagged as a critical path forward highlighting that an inclusive delivery begins with an inclusive design. 

“There’s an urgent need to decentralize seed systems,” said Abdulrazak Ibrahim of FARA. “When breeding is localized, logistical costs drop, and adoption improves. Let’s not shy away from policy interventions * including tax breaks and incentives – that make inclusivity a reality.” 

Closing reflections: trust, trade, and the road ahead

The session concluded with remarks from David Spielman, Global Co-lead for Inclusive Delivery from IFPRI, who reiterated that inclusive delivery starts with an inclusive design that leads to participation, and partnership highlighting that “seed system only works when all players trust each other and have a shared goal. We must invest in building that ecosystem.” 

As the conversation wrapped up, panelists called for stronger regional integration, better seed market functionality, participatory innovation, and bold policy reforms. Together, they affirmed that “Inclusive Delivery” is more than a theme – it is a movement toward #SeedEqual, that is equal seed access for smallholder farmers. 

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We express our gratitude to the CGIAR research funders for their invaluable contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund. Main image: Group picture: Inclusive Delivery side event’s panelists at CGIAR Science Week, April 2025. Written by Krystel Ambayec Dino, for Inclusive Delivery, Breeding for tomorrow.