Using Seed Technologies to Address Africa’s Agriculture Issues

To increase crop yield and ensure that the continent has access to food and nutrition, high-quality seeds must be widely available.

Dr. Munyaradzi Jonga, the TAAT Maize Compact Lead and Seed Production Specialist at AATF, stated during the AFSTA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya, that there is a great deal of potential to maximize Africa’s agricultural productivity by utilizing the high-quality seeds of recently improved climate-smart varieties produced from various breeding programs within the region.

In order to increase the adoption of enhanced varieties, he urged the need to create demand that powers functional marketplaces.

“Policies that will stimulate new innovations and improve seed systems must be put in place,” he declared.

Dr. Jonga listed a number of obstacles to the advancement of seed systems and food production in Africa. Among the obstacles include ineffective supportive legislative environments; protracted plant breeding cycles and variety release procedures; productivity-reducing pests and diseases; and subpar seed quality.

He pointed out that collaborations are essential to the commercialization of technologies, raising consumer knowledge of innovative products, and creating and meeting farmer demand.

He said, “Effective partnerships and collaboration are essential for delivering high-quality seed to farmers consistently.”

In a panel discussion that followed, experts concurred that national and international research organizations create breakthroughs and technology, such as crop types that are adaptable to climate change.

The results of African research, however, are difficult to commercialize. Aware of this, seed systems are setting up procedures that let private businesses get and market climate-resistant cultivars.