Bigirwa: Seed systems in Africa are still at infant stage
Africa’s seed systems are still in their infancy, with only 30 per cent of countries meeting seed supply needs. Challenges like poor seed quality, low production capacity, and limited farmer awareness persist. Speaking with CNBC Africa's Tabitha Muthoni, Dr. George Bigirwa, Director of CESSA, highlights the need for stronger government involvement, private sector investments, and supportive policies to address these gaps.
Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:23:58 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- Africa's seed systems are currently at an infancy stage, with only 30 per cent of countries meeting their seed supply needs, resulting in the majority of farmers relying on informal seed sources.
- Key challenges such as poor seed quality, low production capacity, and limited farmer awareness are contributing to low adoption rates of improved seed varieties.
- To address the gaps in Africa's seed systems, there is a critical need for stronger government involvement, private sector investments, and supportive policies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the seed sector.
Africa's seed systems are facing significant challenges that are hindering agricultural productivity and development on the continent. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. George Bigirwa, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), highlighted the critical issues plaguing the seed sector. According to Dr. Bigirwa, only 30 per cent of countries in Africa are meeting their seed supply needs, leaving the majority of farmers reliant on informal seed systems. Factors such as poor seed quality, low production capacity, and limited farmer awareness are contributing to the low adoption rates of improved seed varieties. Dr. Bigirwa emphasized the urgent need for stronger government involvement, private sector investments, and supportive policies to address these gaps and propel Africa's seed systems towards greater efficiency and effectiveness.
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