BASICS Model: A Seed System Model for Cassava Transformation

An economically sustainable integrated cassava seed system!

The BASICS model is a blueprint for developing an economically sustainable cassava seed system that can reliably deliver quality stems of improved varieties to farmers and processors. The model connects all actors along a seed production pathway to ensure a sustained and reliable supply of quality seeds of improved varieties to farmers and processors. The model comprises a series of components or ‘modules’ which when implemented as a package can facilitate the establishment of a commercially viable system. The BASICS model is based on selling seeds rather than giving them away because its goal is creating an economically sustainable and entrepreneurial system that is eventually self-financing.

This technology is pre-validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Provides jobs especially through the cassava seed entrepreneur network

Others: Positive high

The BASICS Model ensures the constant supply of raw materials to the cassava industry

The poor: Positive high

The BASICS Model ensures that resource-poor farmers get a better return on their investment through the cultivation of cassava

Under 18: Positive high

Provides more food (cassava roots) for the population

Women: Positive high

Women who are active players in the cassava value chain are gainfully employed

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Cassava is highly adapted to the changing climate.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Cassava is highly adapted to the changing climate.

Problem

Low cassava yields: Farmers using recycled seed average less than 10 tons/ha, far below the crop’s potential (>20 tons/ha).
Disease spread: Over 80% of farmers unknowingly plant stems infected with diseases like Cassava Mosaic Disease and Cassava Brown Streak Disease, which reduce yields drastically.
Donor dependency: Giving free stems through aid programs is not sustainable and discourages market development.
Weak linkages: Farmers have no access to reliable, certified seed producers, and there is no regulatory system in place to ensure seed quality.

Solution

The BASICS model enhances the availability and accessibility of improved, disease-free, and genetically pure planting materials of preferred varieties that can drive productivity increases.
The model ensures that only improved disease-free varieties are multiplied and passed on to farmers. This is achieved by systematically linking farmers to the seed supply chain that involves a network of large and small seed producers at all levels of the seed system.
The BASICS model ensures that early-generation seeds are not infected with the viruses responsible for cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak diseases. Quality seed production procedures, including the use of disease-free planting material and inspections during the crop growth stage, ensure disease control and prevent the cutting and distribution of infected stem cuttings. Seed quality is assessed at all levels of the system, ensuring that only high-quality materials are sold to farmers.
Establishing commercial procedures at all levels of the seed value chain ensures that high quality seed production can be sustained without the need for external financing.

Key points to design your project

The demand for cassava in Africa is growing and will continue in the foreseeable future as new processing industries spring up on the continent. To meet this demand, governments have a strategic opportunity to modernize the seed system using the BASICS model to double current yields and generate inclusive growth.

To effectively integrate the BASICS model, governments are encouraged to:

Establish early-generation seed units within national agricultural institutions or enable public-private collaboration to produce high-quality breeder seeds.
Invest in Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) laboratories and systems to facilitate the rapid multiplication of clean planting material for national distribution.
Promote rural employment and youth engagement by supporting the development of Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) who can serve as decentralized multipliers and distributors.
Strengthen the operational and institutional capacity of national seed regulatory authorities to enforce seed quality standards and certification protocols.

BASICS-II partners are available to support with technical assistance, policy guidance, and project implementation planning.

IP

Open source / open access

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

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Gabon	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Liberia	Testing ongoing	–Not tested	–Not adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Sierra Leone	Testing ongoing	–Not tested	–Not adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	–Not 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.

Goal 1: no poverty

By increasing farmer yields and enabling rural entrepreneurship, the model helps lift smallholders out of poverty through better income and market access.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Improved seed leads to higher productivity, reducing food insecurity and increasing availability of cassava for food and processing.

Goal 5: gender equality

The model promotes equal access to training, tools, and markets for women in the seed value chain.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

By establishing seed enterprises and linking them to structured markets, the model promotes formalized, profitable employment.

Goal 13: climate action

Disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties improve resilience to climate variability, while clean seed reduces the carbon footprint by minimizing losses and replanting.

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

BASICS is built on collaboration between public research institutions, private entrepreneurs, government regulators, and international donors, showcasing a successful public-private development model.

To start or invest in cassava seed production:

Study the Toolbox modules to understand cassava seed demand, quality requirements, and business models.
Choose your entry point — early-generation seed propagation, commercial multiplication, or retail sales.
Use rapid propagation techniques to scale up certified clean planting materials efficiently.
Invest in diagnostics and digital tools (e.g., Seed Tracker, Nuru app) for quality assurance and pest management.
Form or join seed producer associations to access training, markets, and finance.
Apply smart marketing strategies to reach processors, farmer cooperatives, and development programs.
Track profitability and yield impact using the M&E tools within the system.