Harnessing innovation and data for last-mile seed delivery

Impact-driven strategies for dryland crop seed systems are essential to improve access to quality seeds of new and improved varieties with desired traits. CIMMYT’s Dryland Crops Program (DCP), through its complementary projects including AVISA, focuses on enhancing dryland crops’ breeding and seed delivery systems. Under seed systems, the aim is to address the current low adoption of improved varieties of dryland crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut pigeon pea, and chickpea. Low adoption and impact have been attributed to several concerns, including limited product information, inadequate access to early-generation seed (EGS), and a need for more awareness about the business potential offered by these crops. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for robust systems that enhance data access on varietal superiority and seed demand. The program also emphasizes gender equity by supporting women and youth in seed entrepreneurship and ensuring equal access to seed technologies. The workshop, therefore, sought to align efforts, share expertise, and establish strong partnerships among stakeholders involved in the dryland crops seed systems to enhance collaboration through data-driven decision-making, varietal inventory analysis, and innovative seed delivery models. An assessment of publicly bred varieties released over the last decade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and West and Central Africa (WCA) regions revealed significant insights. In ESA, 181 varieties were released, with Ethiopia leading at 68 varieties, while countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe had fewer releases. In WCA, 145 varieties were released, with Burkina Faso and Mali standing out. To enhance variety availability, seed delivery models emphasize shortening the release-commercialization time-lag, substantial seed distribution, knowledge transfer, and value chain connections are crucial. Popular varieties were evaluated in different countries, highlighting areas for improvement like enhancing palatability and nutritional attributes. A discussion on impact pathways delineated several challenges, including workflow inefficiencies, misaligned data collection methods, limited market understanding, and resource constraints. An impact-oriented approach focusing on farmers’ constraints aims to deliver genetic solutions to improve productivity, food security, and nutrition. Strategies like inclusive seed systems and evidence-supported scaling models were proposed to drive an effective adoption of improved crop varieties. Quality and regular data are also needed to assess and track seed systems performance indicators such as Weighted Average Varietal Age (WAVA) and Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) to expand understanding of varietal turnover challenges and the need to address institutional, technical, environmental, and socio-economic barriers to the efficient adoption of new crop varieties. Participants engaged in describing scalable seed delivery models for dryland crop seeds in their respective countries, aiming to bring sustainable change on a broad scale by ensuring widespread benefits and positive outcomes beyond immediate contexts. The Scaling Scan methodology guided participants through three steps: a) constructing a scaling ambition, b) assessing scaling ingredients, and c) identifying challenges and opportunities. Various seed delivery models were discussed, such as the Adopted Villages model in Nigeria, the Youth and Women Quality Centers model in Tanzania, the Digital Seed Pre-order system in Rwanda utilizing innovative technology for efficient seed distribution, the Pre-secured Seed Market Option model in Uganda targeting existing markets for secure seed sales, the Traveling Weekly Market Days model in Chad bringing seeds directly to remote farmers, the Large-Scale Demonstrations initiative in Ethiopia introducing “shelved” varieties to farmers directly, and the Bundled Technologies approach in Kenya integrating seeds with farming technologies to optimize agricultural practices comprehensively. These models address challenges and enhance seed delivery efficiency within diverse agricultural landscapes.