CSE Model: Cassava Seed Entrepreneur Business Model

Transforming Cassava Farming Through Entrepreneurial Innovation!

The CSE Business Model is a streamlined, government-endorsed approach that trains and certifies local entrepreneurs in basic seed production, uses a simple digital platform for quality control, links producers to ready buyers through pre-agreed contracts, provides small-scale financing via local cooperatives, and is fully scalable—already delivering over 80 million disease-free cuttings worth USD 1.5 million in Tanzania and 34 million cuttings worth USD 220 000 in Nigeria each year.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•3

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 3/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Increased access to quality seeds enhances productivity and income, improving livelihoods.

The poor: Positive medium

Access to affordable, certified seeds leads to higher yields and income, contributing to poverty alleviation.

Women: Positive high

With 32–34% female participation, the model promotes gender inclusion and economic empowerment.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

The model is operational across diverse agro-ecological zones—including arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, and humid climates—demonstrating strong performance under varied weather and growing conditions

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

Its improves farmer access to clean, certified seed, often of climate-resilient varieties, and supports agronomic training that helps farmers better cope with pest outbreaks and erratic weather patterns.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

By enabling the multiplication and distribution of a broader range of improved and disease-resistant cassava varieties, the model encourages varietal diversity and reduces the spread of pests and diseases.

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

The decentralized nature of the seed system reduces long-distance transportation and reliance on repeated planting due to poor seed quality, leading to lower emissions compared to informal or government-led seed supply chains.

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

The model promotes better agronomic practices and disease management, which can reduce the misuse of agrochemicals and improve the overall environmental conditions in farming communities.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs are trained in proper land preparation and crop rotation practices, contributing to better soil structure and nutrient balance over time.

Water use: Same amount of water used

The model does not directly affect irrigation or water consumption. However, improved planting materials may indirectly improve water use efficiency through better crop establishment.

Problem

Low Yields: Cassava yields in Nigeria average about 8 tonnes per hectare, significantly below the potential of over 20 tonnes per hectare, due to the use of poor-quality planting materials.
Disease Prevalence: The spread of pests and diseases, such as cassava mosaic virus and brown streak virus, is exacerbated by the use of uncertified and infected planting materials.
Informal Seed Systems: Reliance on informal seed sharing and free distributions has led to inconsistent quality and limited access to improved varieties.
Limited Private Sector Engagement: The absence of a profitable cassava seed market has discouraged private sector investment, hindering the development of a sustainable seed system.

Solution

Certified Seed Production: Training and certifying local entrepreneurs to produce and sell high-quality cassava seeds ensures the availability of clean planting materials.
Digital Certification Tools: Utilizing platforms like Seed Tracker enhances transparency, traceability, and compliance with quality standards.
Market-Driven Approach: Linking seed entrepreneurs with processors and agro-dealers creates demand for specific varieties, aligning production with market needs.
Financial Empowerment: Access to credit through SACCOS and RLFs enables entrepreneurs to invest in and scale their seed businesses.
Scalable Model: The success in Nigeria and Tanzania demonstrates the model's potential for replication in other cassava-growing regions.

Key points to design your project

The Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (CSE) Business Model strengthens local seed systems by professionalizing multiplication, certification and market linkages for clean cassava planting materials. It aligns with national priorities on food security, gender inclusion and climate resilience, while generating income for rural entrepreneurs. To embed the CSE Model effectively in your programme, consider the following project‐design activities:

Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement: Identify and convene seed regulatory authorities, extension services, local government units, women’s groups and youth associations. Sign MoUs to define roles, responsibilities and data-sharing protocols.
Policy & Regulatory Alignment: Review seed regulations to accommodate private CSE registration and certification. Fast-track approval of digital certification platforms (e.g., SeedTracker™)
Capacity Building & Training: Organize workshops for extension officers and seed inspectors on agronomy, business incubation and quality-assurance standards. Develop “train-the-trainer” modules so government staff can cascade training regionally.
Digital Integration: Procure or license SeedTracker™ for plot registration, real-time monitoring and e-certification. Deploy dashboards in ministries to visualize seed volumes, gender breakdowns and geographic coverage.
Finance & Incentives: Collaborate with SACCOS/RLFs to set up low-interest loans for CSE start-ups. Offer seed-production grants or subsidies for the first 12 months to accelerate scale.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Policy Feedback: Use SeedTracker analytics to track adoption rates, revenue flows and compliance. Draft annual policy briefs based on real-time data to refine regulations and budget allocations.
Communications & Outreach: Develop policy briefs, infographics and FAQ brochures for MPs, ministry planners and district officers. Host high-level dissemination events to showcase early results and secure further budget support.

79 %

ROI estimated by the technology provider

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
Kenya	Testing ongoing	–Not tested	–Not 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.

Goal 1: no poverty

By boosting farmer incomes through higher yields and seed‐business revenue, it helps lift rural households out of poverty.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Clean, certified planting materials cut disease losses and raise cassava productivity, improving food security.

Goal 5: gender equality

With 32–34 % female entrepreneur participation, it empowers women economically and promotes equal opportunity.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Fosters rural jobs and small enterprises in seed production, driving inclusive economic growth.

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Leverages collaboration among governments, NGOs, finance institutions and private actors to scale impact.

Conduct Market Assessment: Evaluate farmers' willingness to pay for improved seeds and identify demand for specific cassava varieties.
Identify and Recruit Entrepreneurs: Select individuals with business acumen and interest in seed production.
Provide Training: Offer comprehensive training in seed agronomy, business management, and quality assurance.
Facilitate Certification: Assist entrepreneurs in registering with national seed authorities and using digital tools for certification.
Establish Market Linkages: Connect seed entrepreneurs with processors, agro-dealers, and farmer associations to ensure market access.
Provide Financial Support: Enable access to credit through SACCOS and RLFs to support business operations.
Monitor and Support: Offer ongoing technical assistance and monitor progress to ensure quality and sustainability.