Producing quality seed for farmers in Ethiopia

A collaboration project between local farmers and the Irish-based NGO Gorta-Self Help Africa, the co-op was established in 2009 in Butajera to produce quality wheat seed for farmers in the region. Co-op members are producing eight varieties of wheat seed, as well as seed for fava beans, haricot beans and teff.

Access to quality seed is essential for farmers, but in Ethiopia demand far outstrips supply. Edget’s 1,886 members are now engaged in speciality seed production to meet the demands of an area that is larger than Ireland.

Farm size is small in Ethiopia – half a hectare on average – hindering agricultural productivity. The co-op operates by organising farmers into groups based on their willingness to cluster their plots of land into one larger field. The farmers are then provided with the basic seed and technical training for seed production.

Once production is up and running, the co-op purchases the seed from the farmer group, adding 15% on to the market price. The co-op is then responsible for the processing (cleaning, treating, labelling and storage), marketing and selling of the seed.

The co-op provides access to credit, as well yearly dividends to its members from the profits made.

Model co-op

Edget recognises the capacity of farmer groups to enter the seed market as autonomous local seed businesses, and it is now a model for newly formed co-ops. It opens the door to sustainable seed supply at a competitive price, while ensuring a farm income and profitability for its members.

Co-op manager Tessema Atemayenu told the Irish Farmers Journal that the idea now was to replicate this model in every region of Ethiopia.

“Before this co-op, only public enterprises engaged in seed production. Even though they provided large quantities, the seed demand was not being satisfied. We have now proved that farmers themselves can take seeds from pre-basic to basic.

“Our agronomists are in the fields day to day overseeing the activities, so it is checked at source if the seeds are in good condition. They provide support to the farmer, from the planting right up to the seed collection. We put great emphasis on the quality, with over 90% germination, and because of that quality, producers are increasing productivity,” he said.

There is high priority in Ethiopia at the moment to increase crop production and productivity, to ensure food security, and improve rural livelihoods through improved agricultural technologies.

In drought-prone areas like SNNP, farmers need quality seed to withstand conditions, and growers reported increased yields using this seed, with an increase of up to 75% in income.

Challenges

Limited access to modern seed, post-harvest machinery and processing facilities pose a challenge to the Edget co-op. Climate change is also becoming a threat, with a shortage of the breeder and pre-basic seed varieties needed to withstand the drought.

Despite these challenges, the co-op has future plans to expand.

The production of new alternatives of self-pollinated crops, such as barley and chickpeas, and hybrid maize production, is on the cards.

“We want to demonstrate how you can create scaleable and sustainable agribusinesses. All you have to do is look at the evidence – what impact we are making on the ground – both in terms of the level of productivity, and the impact it has on the communities,” Tessema said.

“In five years’ time, we would like to become a small seed company, and increase our regional seed distribution even further,” he added.

Watch our interview with co-op manager Tessema Atemayenu below.

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