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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/com/technologies/cassava-seed-system-advocacy-and-scaling-model
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Cassava Seed System Advocacy and Scaling Model

From Advocacy to Action: Replicating Success with Lasting Investment

This technology is a model that helps governments and development partners improve cassava seed systems at national level. It uses advocacy, planning, and teamwork to create the right conditions for improved cassava seeds to be used widely and sustainably.

The model does not produce seeds itself. Instead, it helps countries include good seed practices—like Early Generation Seed (EGS), SAH, nodal cuttings, and digital tools—into their public programs and policies. It supports local leadership, funding, and better coordination among all actors.

The approach follows six main steps: diagnosing the seed system, engaging stakeholders, integrating seed strategies into plans, building capacity, promoting innovations, and monitoring progress.

It has already been used in Nigeria and Tanzania and is expanding to other countries. It has helped create stronger national plans, support seed businesses, and improve farmer access to clean, high-quality cassava seed.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

  • Free seed distribution weakens the market:
    In many countries, cassava seed is still given out for free to show quick results. This creates dependency, distorts the seed market, and prevents the growth of local seed businesses.

  • Good models are not scaled or sustained:
    Even when innovative seed system models exist, they often remain small. Without strong advocacy and funding, they are not included in national policies or budgets, and their impact stays limited.

  • Lack of strategic advocacy and coordination:
    Cassava seed innovations are not always known or supported by key decision-makers. Without a clear strategy and coordination, these technologies fail to influence policy or attract long-term investment.

  • Project-based approaches don’t lead to lasting change:
    Most seed system efforts are tied to short-term projects. Once funding ends, activities stop, and there are no mechanisms to sustain or expand the work.

Solution

  • Solving the free seed dependency problem:
    The model reduces reliance on free seed by building demand for improved varieties through public-private innovation showcases and communication campaigns. It supports seed entrepreneurs and promotes commercial seed systems, helping to grow a sustainable market.
  • Ensuring models are scaled and sustained:
    Through targeted advocacy and strong partnerships, the model helps integrate successful seed system approaches into national agricultural policies and budgets. This secures long-term support and allows innovations to move beyond pilot projects.
  • Addressing weak advocacy and coordination:
    The model establishes dedicated advocacy platforms that bring together governments, donors, and seed system actors. These platforms ensure that cassava seed technologies are understood, supported, and prioritized by decision-makers.
  • Replacing short-term projects with systemic change:
    By using seed system assessments, capacity building, and policy integration, the model creates national structures that last beyond individual projects. Tracking tools are used to monitor results and ensure continuity and learning.

Key points to design your business plan

In this section, you will soon discover essential elements to develop your business plan. You'll find a brief list of important questions to consider before launching your business, along with information on the technology's value proposition, target audience, key resources, strategic partners, and cost structure. This compilation will assist you in evaluating the various crucial aspects to ensure the success of your business.

In the meantime, use the 'Request information' button if you need to contact us.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Gain access to training, market opportunities, and investments through policy-driven support.

The poor: Positive medium

Supported through stronger, market-based seed systems that reduce dependence on free seed distribution.

Under 18: Positive medium

May benefit from inclusive frameworks, though not directly targeted by advocacy activities.

Women: Positive medium

Included indirectly through seed entrepreneurship and policy engagement, though not the primary focus.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

The model works across diverse agro-ecological zones and promotes climate-resilient cassava seed technologies.

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

Improves farmer preparedness by supporting access to climate-smart varieties and good practices through national programs.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Encourages the use of multiple improved cassava varieties, helping reduce genetic erosion and supporting varietal diversity.

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Digital coordination and policy planning reduce the need for repeated physical meetings and seed distribution trips.

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Promotes clean planting material and lowers the use of agrochemicals by reducing the spread of seed-borne diseases.

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Countries with a blue colour
Testing ongoing
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country Testing ongoing Tested Adopted
Nigeria No ongoing testing Tested Adopted
Rwanda Testing ongoing Not tested Not adopted
Tanzania No ongoing testing Tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: no poverty
Goal 1: no poverty

Supports income generation for farmers and seed entrepreneurs by creating a sustainable, market-oriented seed system.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger

Improves food security through wider access to clean, high-yielding cassava varieties.

Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Promotes job creation and strengthens seed sector institutions, supporting rural economic activity.

Sustainable Development Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure

Institutionalizes scalable innovations like digital seed certification and processor-led seed models.

Sustainable Development Goal 10: reduced inequalities
Goal 10: reduced inequalities

Supports inclusive policies and local ownership, improving access for women and youth in rural areas.

Sustainable Development Goal 17: partnerships for the goals
Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Built on partnerships among governments, donors, research institutions, and the private sector for coordinated action.

  • Seed System Diagnosis
    Assess the current cassava seed system to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for scaling.
  • Stakeholder Engagement
    Organize advocacy meetings, policy dialogues, and sensitization sessions with key actors such as government ministries, donors, and technical partners.
  • Strategy Integration
    Work with national planners and funding partners to embed cassava seed system priorities into agricultural strategies, investment plans, and public programs.
  • Capacity Building
    Train seed regulators, extension agents, seed entrepreneurs, and media actors to strengthen the overall seed system.
  • Innovation Promotion
    Conduct demand creation trials, showcase successful cases, and promote public-private collaboration to increase awareness and uptake of improved cassava seeds.
  • Monitoring and Reporting
    Use tracking tools to measure progress on policy change, investment, adoption, and overall system performance.

Last updated on 7 May 2025