Seed Equal Webinar Series: Demand-led approaches, a game changer in the legume seed systems

This CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative webinar shall present an innovative, market-focused model called Demand-Led Seed Systems (DLSS) approach, developed by the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), that has been mainstreamed by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Seed Equal on legumes. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Global Bean Program Leader, Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT and PABRA Director will discuss the DLSS approach as a business-to-business model involving seed producers and traders supported by other key value chain actors. The presentation shall be followed by insights from DLSS partners who have benefited from it. 

The DLSS approach has significantly enhanced bean seed production in Zambia. Early generation Seed (EGS) production surged by 220%, while certified and quality-declared seed production increased six-fold between 2021 and 2023. New varieties accounted for 88% of seed produced, improving varietal turnover. Additional effects included a 10% increase in bean grain production in 2023 and an 11% expansion in bean harvest area. 

Expanded to cowpea by IITA in Nigeria, the demand-led seed systems approach has shown tremendous changes in cowpea seed systems. Within two years of adopting the DLSS, two companies saw the production of certified and quality-declared seed increase fivefold, rising from an initial 157 tons to 822 tons. In 2024, an estimated 1551.9 hectares of cowpeas have been established, with a projected total production of 1748.3 tons. Two new cowpea varieties, FUAMPEA 3 and FUAMPEA 4 released in 2022, alongside SAMPEA 11 released in 2009 are the dominant varieties. 

PABRA has provided technical assistance to various initiatives engaged in the DLSS. Through the Accelerate Project supported by the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the DLSS is currently being tested on groundnut and sorghum. The results are highly auspicious. For instance, grain traders (off-takers) are increasingly motivated to support the demonstration of new varieties with farmers (established 150 demonstrations in 2024), linking farmers to seed sources, or procuring seeds of market-demanded varieties for farmers both for cash and on credit. 

The DLSS is being expanded on lentils in Nepal through the USAID -the Feed Future, the Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research. 

The CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative webinar is a bi-monthly series sharing current seed system innovations being developed by the Initiative. Since November 2023, the series has been engaging seed system stakeholders from the CGIAR network, donors and non-government organizations, both from the public and private sector involved in seed demand and supply.  

Click here to register