A Seed Revolving Fund initiative for sorghum and groundnut value chains has been launched in Tanzania to tackle the challenge of limited access of quality seeds of improved varieties in rural regions. The ‘Seed Revolving Fund, Youth Engagement and Gender Inclusion’ initiative will work with research institutions, seed companies, agro dealers, grain off-takers, farmer organizations and youths. It will draw insights from a similar fund for pigeonpea and groundnut that was successful in Malawi. The initiative is designed to be gender inclusive as well as youth responsive.
In Tanzania, farmers generally source low-quality seeds from the grain market, eventually compromising the productivity and quality of grain. This is despite the release of many improved varieties of groundnut and sorghum that tackle different biotic and abiotic stresses. There is a high demand for high-quality groundnut and sorghum grains in Tanzania. However, while off-takers are unable to obtain the groundnut grain volumes and quality that they need for their destination markets, farmers who grow improved varieties and use best agricultural practices struggle to access markets for their surplus production. The initiative offers a unique and rare opportunity to young men and women to contribute to enhancing quality at the different nodes of the value chains, thereby meeting the needs of the off-takers.
How it works:
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To ensure that the knowledge on quality seeds of improved varieties reaches the targeted farmers, the initiative will work in collaboration with the Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC Africa) to develop social and behavior change communication initiatives that are aimed at increasing farmers knowledge and trust for quality seeds of improved varieties. This will, in turn, increase the adoption of quality seeds of improved variety. Mr Phillip Kinyota from CBCC Africa noted, “Often people’s behavior is molded by their communities, and thus, before changing how one individual functions, the entire community should be sensitized. Hence our holistic approach to behavior change”.
Through facilitated process, the meeting identified potential commodity corridors for both groundnuts and sorghum. Implementable action plans were discussed in the corridor teams that had a grain aggregator, a private seed company, and government administrators.
At the launch, Hon Robart Msalika, Regional Administrative Secretary, Tabora Region, highlighted the youth engagement and gender inclusion aspect of the initiative, saying, “This effort is well aligned to the Tanzania government’s priorities and initiatives in which there is a policy for regional governments/district councils to set aside 10% of revenue generated to support women empowerment (4%), youth engagement (4%), and persons with disabilities (2%).”
Dr Esther Njuguna, Senior Gender Scientist, ICRISAT ESA, spoke on behalf of the Regional Program Director, ICRISAT ESA, as she acknowledged and appreciated strong partnerships among national institutions in Tanzania and funds from donors. She explained how the initiative could reach, benefit and achieve gender and youth empowerment through seed systems by involving stakeholders across all the value chains from the onset.
According to Dr Chris Ojiewo, Global Coordinator, Tropical Legumes III, HOPE II and AVISA projects, seed systems are indeed the best way to engage the youth. “The whole idea of the SRF model is that proceeds from sales must revolve to enable further investments, so that a little seed money has a ripple effect to engage youth and women profitably and equitably,” he said.
Dr Essegbemon Akpo, Seed Systems Specialist, ICRISAT ESA, explained that the revolving fund covered all seed classes – pre-basic, basic, certified and Quality Declared Seed (QDS). “The SRF has been put in place to fill the gaps in the private sector that currently limit them from diversifying their portfolio to include grain legumes and cereals,” he added.
The Seed Revolving Fund, Youth Engagement and Gender Inclusion Initiative was launched on 16 December 2019 at Dar es Salam, Tanzania.
This initiative is supported by AVISA & CGIAR Research Program: Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC).
