www.issduganda.org

I n t e g r a t e d S e e d S e c t o r D e v e l o p m e n t U g a n d a P r o g r a m m e

Vision of ISSD Uganda

Through a vibrant and pluralistic

seed sector, ensure that quality

seed of superior varieties are

available and affordable to a

larger number of farmers,

thereby contributing to agricul-

ture for food security and eco-

nomic development in Uganda.

ISSD Uganda

Issue 3; February 2015

Inside this issue:

Innovation projects developed through

multi-stakeholder working groups

Multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) are important fora used to identify issues that affect

the seed sector. It is from these fora that negotiations and collective actions to address

these issues are developed. A series of multi stakeholder meetings were convened in

Arua, Lira, Mbarara and Kampala to obtain commitment and support from a multitude of

stakeholders.

Addressing challenges of counterfeit seed

In Arua, the MSP prioritised counterfeit seed as a key challenge to the seed sector and

agricultural production in the region in general. To address the challenge, participants

agreed on three major innovative strategies:

1. Council resolutions on counterfeit seed;

2. Mass sensitisation on benefits of quality seed and dangers of counterfeit seed;

3. Registration and inspection of agro-dealers.

>>>> page 2

newsletter

Vision of ISSD Uganda

Through a vibrant and plural-

istic seed sector, ensure that

quality seed of superior varie-

ties are available and affordable

to a larger number of farmers,

thereby contributing to agricul-

ture for food security and eco-

nomic development in Uganda.

Editorial 2

Innovation projects developed through multi-stakeholder

working groups

2

Status of innovation

projects 3

ISSD Uganda: Contributing to access to quality seed through stakeholder

engagements

4

Seed breeder discuss means of improving availability and access

to foundation seed

6

ISSD Uganda develops LSB out-scaling

strategy 6

Plans for 2015 7

2

ISSD promotes a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector

Innovation projects developed

through multi-stakeholder

working groups

>>>> from cover page

Shortage of foundation seed

In Lira, stakeholders prioritised access to foundation seed

for groundnuts as an issue that needed to be addressed. In

order to address this challenge, the groundnut breeding

team from NaSARRI proposed to work with two Local Seed

Businesses (LSBs) to pilot the production and supply

foundation seed within the northern zone. Two LSBs - Aye

Medo Ngeca and Tic Ryemo in the Northern zone were

selected to participate in the pilot on production of

groundnut foundation Seed. The DAO Lira was one of the

key stakeholder involved in the negotiation process which

resulted in an innovation project to increase access to

groundnut foundation in Northern Uganda. For this, Ngetta

ZARDI was chosen to lead the project and to capture and

provide information regarding the cost of production of

foundation seed.

Awareness on quality seed

The working group meeting in Mbarara drew participants

from the District Local Governments, NGOs, seed

companies and ISSD. The meeting focused on identifying

and agreeing on innovative strategies to raise farmers’

awareness on quality seed, and draft an action plan and

budget for the innovation project. Participants agreed to

raise awareness on quality seed by involving religious

institutions. The project involves, setting up demonstration

plots consisting of quality seed and farmers saved seed in

close proximity to religious institutions.

Quality assurance mechanism for Quality

Declared Seed

In Kampala, the department of Crop Inspection and

Certification of MAAIF and LSBs piloted an innovation

project on quality assurance mechanisms for Quality

Declared Seed (QDS) and tamperproof labelling. This was

an outcome of the National Seed Stakeholder meeting that

was held in Kampala. The aim of the project is to enhance

quality seed production and marketing by LSBs and

increasing availability of recognised quality seed in the

country. In the project, the National Seed certification

Service (NSCS) is expected to inspect QDS produced by

LSBs, and train DAOs and representatives of LSBs in seed

quality control.

Editorial

Welcome to the first issue of ISSD Uganda programme

news letter for 2015. In this issue, we share with you

the innovation projects that were developed through

multi-stake holder meetings held in Lira, West Nile,

Mbarara, and Kampala.

In this newsletter, plans for 2015 are also highlighted,

for example, ISSD’s approach towards out-scaling of 70

new LSBs, strengthening the existing LSBs; continued

support to the public sector in carrying out their

mandate related to quality seed production and

exploring options for involving the Dutch private sector

in the Ugandan seed sector.

We welcome any feedback on how we can improve our

newsletter

Astrid Mastenbroek

Chief of Party

ISSD Uganda Programme

3

www.issduganda.org

Innovation project 2: Quality assurance

mechanisms for QDS and tamperproof labelling

The project commenced in April 2014, so far, three

training sessions in seed quality control have been carried

out, one in each of the three zones (South Western,

Northern and West Nile). In total, 35 participants (9 female

and 26 males) were trained. Participants included

representatives of the LSB quality control committees,

DAOs, ISSD Seed Experts, ZARDI agronomist, ZARDI

Director, fertilizer dealers. The trainings were facilitated by

Seed Inspectors from MAAIF. In addition to the above, LSB

fields have been inspected in all the three zones. Reports

based on the field inspections were provided, highlighting

among others, what is needed to improve the performance

of the LSBs. Seed tests from the seed laboratory at

Kawanda show that all inspected seed meets the minimum

criteria. Regarding the tamperproof labelling, it is expected

that the first labels will be printed at the on-set of the

2015A planting season.

Innovation project 3: Enhancing the production and marketing of quality seed and elimination of counterfeit seed in West Nile

The project which started in May 2014, was implemented

by NilePro Trust Ltd, (a social enterprise organization in

Arua) in partnership with Uganda Agro– input Dealers

Association (UNADA), Arua and Koboko District Local

Governments. NilePro Trust organized sensitization

meetings, radio clips and drama aimed at raising

awareness on counterfeit UNADA and quality seed,

specifically targeting farmers and other interested key

stakeholder groups. Other meetings that consisted of key

stakeholder groups were also held in Arua and Koboko

district aimed at generating technical recommendations for

incorporation in the District by-laws. The stakeholders that

attended included among others, district leaders, sub-

county officials, farmer representatives and agro-input

traders.

In addition, the department inspects and tests LSB seed

produced at the end of the season and subsequently prints

and issue tamperproof seed labels.

Uptake of quality seed

The other innovation project that also originated from the

National Seed Stakeholder meeting was a project

implemented by Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO) to

improve uptake of quality seed by farmers using three key

strategies: i) improving knowledge on quality seed, ii)

giving farmers first-hand experience with quality seed and

iii) improving availability of quality seed to farmers.

Status of the innovation projects

Innovation project 1: Production of Groundnut foundation seed by LSBs

This project commenced in September 2014, with NaSARRI

(Serere), Ngetta ZARDI, Aye Medo Ngeca and Tic Ryemo

Can LSBs as implementing partners. The research team

from Ngetta ZARDI and NASARRI set up Breeder Seed

demonstration plots that exposed the LSB seed growers to

different groundnut technologies. Farmers bought breeder

seed for foundation seed production directly from the

breeder at NaSARRI Groundnut Improvement Programme.

In this project, LSB seed growers were also trained in

various aspects related to field citing, land preparation,

seed bed preparation, phytohygiene (weeding and

maintaining boundaries hygiene), crop protection, timely

harvesting, postharvest handling (drying and storage) and

isolation distance. So far, a total of 57 seed growers (29

females) have planted 20 acres of breeder seeds (15 acres

for Serenut 5R and 5 acres of Serenut 6T). Follow-up

training and monitoring visits have been carried out by the

breeder. The projects has not yet compared costs of

foundation seed production at the LSB level, at the ZARDI

and at the breeding station in NaSARRI.

Tic Ryemo Can LSB group posing with the groundnut breeding

team after the training on foundation seed production

Inspection of bean seed production fields by National Seed Certification

service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries

4

ISSD promotes a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector

The recommendations from Koboko were submitted Koboko

District Local Government leading to the development and

approval of the district quality seed resolution, 2014. The

resolution became operational in the district on 8th October

2014, the day it was approved in the council. In Arua,

recommendations were sent to the production committee,

which forwarded them to the district council, leading to the

development and approval of Arua District Local

Government Seed Regulation of 2014. The regulation was

approved on 11th December 2014 and immediately became

operational.

Among the major activities that were carried out included

dissemination of the provisions in both districts. Among the

provisions in the laws include: i) role of actors and their

proposed mandates in the resolutions as implementing

bodies, ii) quality seed measures, iii) penalties and iv)

sustainability plans of the seed interventions. The last

activity that was carried out in Arua and Koboko involved

the identification, registration and inspection of agro-input

dealers.

Innovation project 4: Improving uptake of quality seed by farmers So far, NASECO has carried out a baseline survey to

determine the level of knowledge of farmers on improved

seed was carried in project districts of Apac, Lira Dokolo,

Jinja, Kamuli, Buyende Kayunga, Iganga, Namutumba,

Bugiri, Tororo, Busia, Namayingo, Budaaka, Pallisa, and

Kibuku. 200 demonstration plots (150 for maize and 50 for

Soybean) were set up in each cluster at randomly selected

farmer fields as shown below.

The demonstration plots focused on spacing, time of

planting, and fertilizers and pesticides use. All the

demonstration sites were geo-mapped and farmers’ contact

saved for traceability. Every demonstration plot has a sign

post detailing the variety planted, the company and funder.

Number of demonstration plots per district and per variety

For every cluster of farmers, over 600 baby demos of hybrid

maize were distributed, to gain first-hand experience with

improved seed. Contact details including mobile numbers for

all the beneficiary were recorded and saved for further

monitoring. In addition, 30,000 planting guides have been

distributed to farmers and agro dealers.

Innovation project 5: Innovation project to raise awareness on quality seed using religious institutions

So far, demonstrations sites have been identified, in

addition, the tools that will be used for data collection

have been developed. This pilot project was postponed

to 2015 because of bad weather. Preparations are under

way for implementation in season 2015A.

ISSD Uganda: Contributing to

access to quality seed in Uganda

through stakeholder engagements

The Uganda Seed Trade Association (USTA) in collaboration

with the Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD)

Uganda organized a one day national stakeholders’ meeting

under the theme ‘Together for access to quality seed’. The

meeting that took place on 4th November 2014, was a

follow-up on the one held in November 2013. The overall

A sample of a flier showing the planting guidelines

Clus-ter

Districts Longe 10H

BAZOOKA SOY-BEAN

1 Apac, Lira, Dokoo 100 50 50

2 Jinja, Kamuli, Buyende, Kayunga

100 50 50

3 Iganga, Namutumba, Bugiri

100 50 50

4 Tororo, Busia, Namayingo

100 50 50

5 Budaaka, Pallisa, Kibu-ku

100 50 50

Participants deliberating during the National Seed Stakeholder

meeting

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objective of the meeting was to bring together seed sector

stakeholders to put in place strategies to remove the bottle-

necks undermining the development of Uganda’s seed sector

and, to empower participants to deal with the existing chal-

lenges through collaboration. The meeting was attended by

over 40 participants from Seed Companies, NARO, MAAIF,

IITA, EKN, USAID, AATF and ISSD.

In his opening remarks, Richard Masagazi , the USTA Chairman

stated the need for continued focus on accessibility to good

quality seed as a big challenge. He stated that the seed sector

players should put in place an internal policing mechanism for

fake seeds, rather than leaving the role entirely to the minis-

try.

Uptake of quality seed

To encourage farmers to buy quality seed of improved varie-ties, participant suggested the following:

1.Use of farm demonstrations plots in collaboration with re-searchers, farmers, and extension staff

2. Strengthening value chain trust among actors in the value chain and widening seed distribution networks

3.Promote seed uptake as a package (seed + fertilizers + pes-ticides)

4.Advocate for the implementation of existing policy and legal framework

5.Farmer sensitization, awareness and reporting systems on fake / counterfeit seed

6. Increase quality seed supply and research on orphan crops

Quality assurance For effective provision of quality assurance, participants rec-

ommended the following:

1. Delegation and or empowerment of District Local Govern-

ments, DAOs, Regional Seed Inspectors

2. Accreditation of alternative Seed Inspectors

3. Self-regulation by seed companies

4. Provision of a clear interim regulation per class per crop

particularly on frequency of inspections

5. Development of seed certification handbooks

6.Involve use of an external third party audit teams

7.Develop capacity (human, infrastructure) of seed pro-

ducers, breeders, and inspectors and create an autono-

mous certification body.

Seed policies

Regarding the means for influencing policy, participants

suggested that seed stakeholders should be organized into

a forum, in addition, pilot studies should be carried out to

document and justify the need for evidence based policy

change.

In the discussion, it was recommended that for collabora-

tive action to improve quality assurance mechanism, mass

campaigns to create awareness were necessary. In addi-

tion, lobbying of policy makers, increasing the number of

inspectors, updating the seed certification handbook and

conducting joint studies were key.

Other collaborative actions to improve quality assurance

include: partnership to address the existing challenges; self

-regulation by seed producers; fast tracking the approval

and operationalization of the seed policy and encouraging

seed companied to employ breeders, agronomist and seed

companies.

Access to foundation seed

Regarding access to foundation seed, participants recom-

mended:

1. The government and NARO should prioritize the produc-

tion of foundation seed through adequate budget allocation.

The banner showing the theme of the meeting Rice field with quality seed belonging to Turibamwe Mixed Farm-

ers' Rural Producer LSB in Kamwenge district

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ISSD promotes a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector

2.The private sector should play an active role in promoting

foundation seed and seed companies should produce foun-

dation seed in collaboration with breeders and MAAIF.

3. Availability of information on demand and supply of key

crops by all stakeholders;

4. Seed production road maps should be made for every

crop and communicated to stakeholders

5. USTA should take lead in lobbying government to play

key roles

6. Seasonal meetings between breeders and seed stakehold-

ers should be convened

7. Improve quality assurance for breeder and foundation

seed

8. Promote the NARIs to produce FS as a business and im-

prove capacity of institutions involved in foundation seed.

Seed breeders discuss means of

improving availability and access

to foundation seed

The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in

collaboration with the Integrated Seed Sector Development

(ISSD) Uganda organized a meeting with seed breeders,

aimed at improving availability and access to foundation

seed. The meeting was held at Hotel Africa, Kampala on the

20th November 2014.

As a means to encourage use of improved varieties by the

farmers, it was suggested that seed should be packaged in

smaller quantities or in different sizes, the prices should be

relatively cheap the point of sale of the seed should be in

close proximity to the farmers.

In the meeting, it was agreed that collaborative activities

necessary to predict seed demand in a better manner

include: development of the seed road map; carry out a

market study to establish national seed demand and building

capacity in seed production planning and marketing among

seed producers, seed companies and LSBs.

The following was proposed as means to reduce the deficit in

foundation seed: train competent individuals and farmer

groups to produce foundation seed, create independent seed

units in NARO, increase funding for foundation seed

production, continuously assess the seed market data,

develop tools for forecasting seed demand forecast and

produce breeder seed all year round.

ISSD Uganda develops LSB out-

scaling strategy

A study done by W. Heemskerk in September 2014,

documented the ‘Scaling of the LSB experience in Uganda:

Options and opportunities’, provided recommendations that

led to the development of an out-scaling strategy.

The objectives of the strategy are to:

1. Sustainably increase the access of affordable quality

seed in Uganda and

2. Foster the sharing and adoption of the result-

oriented local seed business model with other

organizations to ensure sustainable LSB operation

and development beyond the current ISSD program.

Sustainability will be enhanced through working with

partners that have a permanent presence in the

zones and the increase of the number of LSB will

create more momentum for institutional change in

the seed sector.

The following strategies will be used for out-scaling of LSBs:

1. Out-scale the number of LSBs through partner

organisations, engage (other) partner organizations to

strengthen Business Development Services to the LSBs so

as to operate independently in the liberalised economic

system.

2. Expand the number of LSBs within the current zones

based on existing demand, and efficient use of available

resources and created awareness in the zones about the

ISSD programme (and not out-scale to other zones, which

is envisaged for the next phase).

Ngetta ZARDI Agronomist Mr. Otim Godfrey responding to questions

during the meeting

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3. Have a phased out-scaling process, with a limited number

of partners and LSBs in one or two zones in the first season

and use the lessons learned to increase the number in the

second season. Under this, the plan involves starting with

one or two zones and a few key partners to test and refine

the strategy, then later recruit more partners in the

remaining zones. Based on existence of potential partners,

Northern Uganda will most likely have a higher number of

out-scaling partners and LSBs compared to the two other

zones.

4. Institute a minimum number of 5 LSBs per out-scaling

partner for efficient use of resources and reduce the number

of partners working with the ISSD experts. The total number

of partners for this out-scaling phase is envisaged to be

between 10 – 16.

5. ISSD is open to work with partner organization that can

fully fund for the LSB work, but require ISSD technical

support only. These partners can be additional to the 10 –

16 partners that receive co-funding. This may potentially

increase the number of LSBs to 100 and above.

During the out-scaling process, 70 new LSBs will be

targeted, with support from out-scaling partners. The ZARDI

are expected to play a key role during this time, since

theywill remain active in the zones after the end of ISSD

period.

ISSD Plans for 2015

In 2015, the programme will continue to address its key

outputs as described below:

Output 1: Functional local seed businesses with

small scale marketed oriented farmers

organized for and employed in seed production

and marketing

In 2015, ISSD will run two concurrent LSB activities: a)

creation of 70 new LSBs through out-scaling partners; and

b) continued strengthening of existing 30 LSBs to foster

sustainability. The activities on the ‘old’ LSBs shall gradually

be phased out during the year to enable greater focus on

the out-scaling program. Out-scaling of LSBs will be done

through partner organizations with support of Business

Development Services (BDS) within the 3 zones.

To improve the visibility of LSBs in 2015, branding LSBs and

packaging seed will be key activities. This will entail devel-

oping or refining LSB Logos and slogans, and fostering cost

effective packaging and branding of LSB seed. These activi-

ties will be supplemented by effective product promotional

initiatives.

Action based research on seed business related topics in-

cluding gender and youth in seed business, climate change,

seed security and demand, and participatory variety selec-

tion will be undertaken. Results from the research will be

used to strengthen the skills of the LSB towards commercial-

ly oriented seed production.

Output 2: Increased efficiency and effectiveness

of public sector organisations in specific sup-

portive tasks related to seed production and

marketing

In 2014, the focus of the project output 2 was on collabora-

tion with key stakeholders on three thematic areas: 1) di-

versified quality assurance mechanisms, 2) access to foun-

dation seed, and 3) policy influence and dialogue.

In 2015, the focus will be on effectively addressing key bot-

tlenecks in the three areas of: National level quality assur-

ance and increased use of quality seed by farmers; Institu-

tional change to increase availability of and access to foun-

dation seed and breeder seed; and institutionally strength-

ening the seed sector by improving the enabling environ-

ment. Effective collaboration with FtF EEA and PASIC will

continue to ensure that seed policy issues are addressed.

This will result in all major draft seed related policies, strate-

gies and regulations finalized and submitted to cabinet

where relevant. This will result in all major draft seed relat-

ed policies, strategies and regulations finalized and submit-

ted to cabinet where relevant.

More work will also be done in operationalising Quality De-

clared Seed class which is critical for the success of LSBs. in

addition to this, ISSD will engage NARO Secretariat, NARIs

and ZARDIs to formulate sustainable institutional solutions

to address shortage of basic and foundation seed. Other

activities will involve working on the national seed demand

and developing seed road maps. Communication of results

especially to foster evidence based change, will be another

focus area in 2015.

8

ISSD promotes a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector

Dr. David Wanyama from MAAIF carrying out field inspection for Turibamwe Mixed Farmers’ Rural producer

LSB in Kamwenge district

Published by:

The Integrated Seed Sector Development Uganda Programme, Studio House, Plot 5 Bandali Rise, Bugolobi,

P. O. Box 20106, Kampala, Tel: +256 775 968 005, Email: Info@ISSDuganda.org

Editorial Committee: ISSD Uganda: Roland Mugumya – Monitoring, Evaluation and Communications Coordinator; Astrid

Mastenbroek – Chief of Party; Mary Mera Immaculate – Partnership Coordinator

All photos from ISSD Uganda projects.

The newsletter will be available on www.issduganda.org later this year.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands funding to Wageningen UR

Center for Development Innovation (CDI) for the implementation of the ISSD Uganda programme. The contents are the sole responsibility of

ISSD Uganda and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.