Can every farmer truly afford quality seed?
That question shaped a thoughtful discussion during the recent panel by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) together with the International Seed Federation (ISF) on seed quality, held on World Food Day.
The session brought together representatives from across the seed sector to examine what access to quality seed really means for farmers in Africa, and how the industry can work together to improve sustainability, trust, and affordability.
Key insights from the discussion included:
- Access to information and training on seed quality such as the work of East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation is improving through private sector initiatives. However, more needs to be done to ensure smallholder farmers can benefit consistently and effectively.
- Affordability remains a major challenge. Participants explored how to balance the cost of quality seed with farmers’ capacity to invest, while maintaining long-term market sustainability.
- Grey market and counterfeit seeds, particularly noted through experiences in Uganda, underscore the need for stronger oversight, traceability systems, and harmonized policies across African countries.
The panel also highlighted the vital role of collaboration between seed companies, governments, and farmer organizations in creating an enabling environment for innovation and responsible trade.
Special appreciation goes to IFAJ, ISF, AFSTA, Rijk Zwaan, and Corteva for contributing to this meaningful exchange, and to Dianah Orinda of East-West Seed for her insights on bridging the gap between innovation and farmer access.
As we reflect on the outcomes of World Food Day, one message remains clear: access to quality seed is fundamental to food security, farmer resilience, and the future of sustainable agriculture.
