Guiding principles 2015

ISSD Uganda Integrated Seed Sector Development Uganda Programme

ISSD Guiding Principles

ISSD programs aims at developing a vibrant, pluralistic

of sorghum, buy/exchange bean seed from a local

and market-oriented seed sector, by focusing on two

seed business/provider, maize seed from a na-

outputs; 1) developing functional local seed businesses

tional seed company, and onion seed from an in-

and 2) supporting the public sector in carrying out it’s

ternational seed company. Each seed system has

mandate in relation to the seed sector. It is assumed

its own values and limitations which require a

that these will lead to increased access to affordable

unique approach. ISSD therefore targets interven-

quality seed of superior varieties for 100,000 smallhold-

tions in specific seed systems.

er farmers. Increased access to quality seed will increase volume of production, increase productivity and farm

Work according to the structure of the seed

income and this will impact positively on food and nutri-

value chain

tion security and economic development in Uganda.

ISSD uses the following guiding principles as a tool in

Vision of ISSD Uganda A seed value chain covers the process of activities

designing effective seed sector development programs.

a vibrant and pluralistic from management of Through plant genetic resources, vaseedgeneration sector, ensure thatproducquality riety development, early seed

Build programs upon a variation of seed systems and foster pluralism Our first guiding principle is based on the fact that Small-holders farmers in Uganda

gain access to seed

seed of superior varieties are available and affordable to a and marketing. We larger map the operators, service number of farmers, thereby contributing to agriculproviders and the institutions of the enabling envifor food security ecoronment in a seed ture chain, which differsand among nomic development in Uganda.

tion, and seed multiplication to seed distribution

crops and specific chains, but most significantly between different seed systems.

Supporting a vibrant, pluralistic and market oriented seed sector

www.issduganda.org

Email: info@ISSDuganda.org

3 The objective is to design strategies to enhance the efficiency of the seed value chain. The importance of farmers as seed users and drivers of the chain is emphasized.

Promote

for

example,

systems

Community entrepreneurship

and

market

orientation

seed production and distribution and/or related seed services. Why entrepreneurship? Well, because by it’s definition, it is market oriented and an important incentive for sustainable development.

Entrepreneurship

and

market-orientation

can

be

promoted in both formal and informal seed systems, for private as well as public actors in the seed value chain.

genetic be

resources

linked

Biodiversity

management,

through

supporting

Management.

In

variety

development, crop breeders and farmers may interact through Participatory Variety Selection, while in seed production,

Entrepreneurship means making a business out of

in

may

seed

management

practices

may

be

strengthened through seed extension and linkage to formal research and seed technology development centers. In seed dissemination, informal and formal systems may be linked through the establishment of local seed distribution outlets in farmer communities.

Recognize complementary roles of the public and private sector Different

stakeholders

different

objectives

in and

the

seed

interests

sector as

well

have as

complementary roles. Two predominant forces can be generalized, one is development-led and the other is market-led

seed

value

chain

operation.

The

development-led force focuses on seed and food security including the production of quality seed of improved varieties for the main food crops. The private sector on the other hand strives for efficiency and

effectiveness

maximizing

profits,

in

product

this

development

entails

among

for

others,

understanding what the market demands, it also requires an enabling environment that promotes quality seed production, food security and economic development.

Recognize the relevance of the informal seed systems Despite all past public and private efforts in seed sector development, informal seed systems continue to dominate in Uganda, supplying more than 80% of the total seed used by farmers. Farmers mainly rely on the farmer-saved seed, as a source of seed for many important crops since seed from other sources is either limited or unavailable. Informal seed systems are particularly important for smallholder farmers in addressing food security and in promoting resilience under increasing uncertainty from climate change and variability.

Facilitate interactions between

Enabling and evolving policies supporting a dynamic sector ISSD provides support towards formulating

seed

related policies that do not discriminate against smallholder farmers and advocates for an enabling environment for a dynamic seed sector. This is in line with changing circumstances since the agricultural sector is dynamic.

Promote evidence based seed sector innovation Last but not least, through the ISSD approach, we promote evidence based seed sector innovation. We support limited adaptive research and studies to

informal and

formal seed systems Farmers and formal sector professionals can be linked in various ways along the seed value chain,

provide evidence for the design and implementation of the seed sector interventions. We also facilitate multistakeholder innovations platforms

towards solving

key seed sector bottlenecks, among the key actors included are knowledge institutions.

Supporting a vibrant, pluralistic and market oriented seed sector

www.issduganda.org

Email: info@ISSDuganda.org