Second Communiqué on Integrated Seed Sector Development

African Union Commission African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP)

Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa: The Role of Entrepreneurship and Priority Themes for Joint Action

The concept of integrated seed sector development (ISSD) was endorsed by the African Union Commission in the Communiqué on Integrated Seed Sector Development of May 2011 as part of efforts towards the implementation of the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP) which was endorsed by the AU Heads of State and Government in 2007 during their 8th Ordinary Session and acknowledging that different seed systems co-exist, each with its own unique characteristics and contributions. Therefore, the Communiqué recommends that a pluralistic approach to seed sector development is required to optimally serve objectives of food security, economic development and biodiversity through entrepreneurship.

The delegates from the following AU Member States: Burundi; Ethiopia; Ghana; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Uganda; and Zambia, and regional organisations in Africa: ASARECA; and RUFORUM, discussed seed sector development in a meeting organised by the African Union Commission and Wageningen University and Research centre, financially supported by the Government of the Netherlands in partnership with Agri-ProFocus, CTA, Future Agricultures Consortium, IFAD, IFDC, Royal Tropical Institute and Self Help Africa. The meeting took place from the 8th to the 10th of April 2013 at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana.

This pan-African synthesis meeting was guided by a regional workshop held in Adama, Ethiopia in September 2012, and national seed entrepreneurship assessments, consultative multi-stakeholder workshops and national seminars in Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia.

Recognising that a number of principles guide the operationalization of the integrated seed sector development concept, including the appreciation of the relevance of informal seed systems, the need for integrating informal and formal systems and inclusive participation. Accordingly, programmes can be built upon a range of seed systems to foster pluralism and integration. An evidence based approach contributes to guiding interventions in different seed systems. Enabling policies can foster the development of a vibrant seed sector.