Seed sector

1. Toolkit to establish/support
community based seed
multiplication groups
Meseret Getahun
CARE ethiopia

2. Summary steps
Step 1 Startup activities
Step 2 Establishment Step 3 Supporting implementation
Step 4 Follow up the progress and share results

3. Concept of community seed multiplication
groups
• is a local-level seed management system owned by farmers.
• It is a group of farmers join together with the aim of multiplication and
distribution of the multiplied seed specified crops/varieties in collective
manner.
• The multiplication can be done on communal lands, on individual farmers
land by clustering the individual farms or separately on individual farms
(for non-cross pollinating crops).
• This is a recently emerging approach in Ethiopia which will fall in between
formal and informal seed systems mostly known as intermediate seed
system.
• The seed produced under this system not necessarily pass through the
formal quality regulation process but it is advised that it should be at least
a quality declared seed.

4. The need for community based seed
multiplication groups
• The current formal systems are evidently incapable of meeting seed
demand due to limited production and poor distribution networks.
• On the other hand, even if access to seed is relatively easier in the
informal seed system the quality of seed is highly compromised.
• Therefore it is believed that community based seed production and
distribution enables easier access to seed and builds local economies.
In addition, seed producer groups has contribution for enhanced
quality of seed produced, reduced transaction costs, easier access to
basic seed and strong relationship with stakeholders.

5. How community seed multiplication groups
operate
• Community seed producer groups can be organized both in a formal
or informal ways.
• The groups can access source seed (mostly basic seed) of improved
varieties from different sources such as research
institutes/universities, public seed enterprises and private institutes
or cooperative unions.
• The group will have a role to collect, store, process and pack (if
possible/necessary) and sell out the seed to its members and non-
members.

6. Step 1 Startup activities
•Understanding the existing
seed system
•Identifying and engaging
stakeholders
•Selecting site and farmers
Step 2 Establishment
 Formation of steering
committee
 Preparation of
necessary documents
 facilitate members
contributions
 facilitating formation
meeting and election
Step 3 supporting
implementation
 Technical support on seed
production, processing
 Support on organizational
development
 Facilitation on input and
output market
 Support on linkage with
stakeholders
Step 4 Follow the progress
and share results
 Regular monitoring
 Documentation
 Sharing results

7. Step 1. Startup activities
Type of seed varieties commonly used by farmers
(both improved and local)
The difference in productivity level of local and
improved variety
The percentage of famers using improved varieties
and their source
Challenges faced to access the improved varieties
Actors involved (both public and private) in supply
of improved seed (basic and certified seed)
Farmers previous experience in seed multiplication
Farmers interest and capacity to buy improved
seed
Understanding the existing seed system

8. Identifying and engaging stakeholders
• Identify stakeholders working in the seed sector of haricot bean and
vegetables
• Put stakeholders role and contribution to the project
• Share the results gained from quick seed system assessment made
• Share the idea of working together for formation/support community
seed multiplication groups with individual stakeholders selected
• Organize at least a half day workshop to discuss on responsibilities of
each actors to support the formation/strengthening of community
seed multiplication groups of CARE SPIR program
• Sign MoU on the agreed collaboration points

9. Memorandum of Understanding
Contract Number: CARE ETHIOPIA
This contract is signed between:
CARE Ethiopia EH/WH FO
and
stakeholder name
With the aim of supporting community seed producer group operation
I. Purpose and Scope
III. XXXXXResponsibilities
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXX
IV. stakeholder name responsibilities
The stakeholder name shall undertake the following activities during the duration of the MOU term:
XXX
XXX
XXX
VII. Modification and Termination
Upon discussions and agreement of both parties, amendments can be made. Any and all amendments must be made in written and must be agreed
to and executed by the parties before becoming effective.
IX. Signatures and Dates
________________________________________
[Authorized signature from CARE Ethiopia EH/WH FO
Name of signatory and Date]
_______________________________________
[Authorized signature from specific stakeholder
Name of signatory and Date]

10. Site and farmers identification
• Agro ecology suitability to multiply the seed
• Availability of interested farmers with capacity (farming experience, land, money)
to form seed multiplication group of specific commodities. The interest to isolate
from other crops, cluster with other producers, crop rotation etc should be
checked
• Interest of local stakeholders with the approach and to support the process
• Access to infrastructure for seed transporing, storage and marketing
• Interest of local GO/NGO partners to join in the effort (this includes source of
basic seed interested to supply to the specific location/farmers)

11. Step 2. Establishment /formation
• Selection of steering committee
• Bylaw
• Business plan
• Financial document
• Facilitate formation meetings

12. Step 3 Supporting implementation
• Technical support on seed Production and processing
 Site selection
 Field clustering
 land preparation
 sowing
 weeding
 isolation
 fertilizer
 application
 Protection
 Harvesting and
 if the group has a plan to process and pack the
seed the technical capacity building expected on
these regards.

13. Support on organizational development
Improved
 organizational management skill,
 financial management and
 infrastructure.

14. Facilitation on input and output market
Facilitation can be linking with
research institutes to access
improved varieties or on the other
side with grain producers who can
buy the seed produced

15. Support on linkage with other stakeholders
Creating sustainable
linkage with stakeholders
will play a role in
sustaining the group even
if the project phase-out.

16. Step 4 Follow the progress and share results
• Monitoring
• Sharing results Help the group identify indicators (things to
measure)
 Encourage them to monitor the indicators
 Ensure that the findings are analyzed and
feed back to the group so it can improve its
activities
 Monitor the work plan and follow up on any
problems
 Monitor members’ attendance and activities
during work times
 Check group records and make sure they
are complete and up-to-date
 Report on progress to your organization.

17. Ref.