To successfully integrate ME-CASS into a national seed system project, governments need a practical, well-structured approach. ME-CASS is not just a software—it’s a management tool that requires coordination, data discipline, and stakeholder engagement. Below are the core elements a government-led project must include to adopt and implement the technology effectively.

Below are practical recommendations to guide project design:

• Start with a functional data system:
  Choose a reliable platform to host the ME-CASS database. If national systems already exist, integrate ME-CASS with them rather than starting from scratch.

• Invest in a skilled monitoring team:
  Build a core team with basic digital skills and a clear mandate. Use existing staff from seed certification agencies or agricultural departments to reduce costs.

• Define clear indicators from the start:
  Agree early on what the system should track—volumes, variety names, producers, and adoption zones—and set realistic targets for each.

• Make stakeholder engagement routine:
  Include all key seed actors (breeders, regulators, producers, and extension services) in project meetings and ensure they contribute data regularly.

• Pilot before national rollout:
  Test the system in 1–2 regions for a full season. Use the pilot to adjust tools, build user confidence, and document lessons for national scaling.

• Budget for basic equipment and connectivity:
  Provide laptops or tablets and ensure internet access where needed. Offline data collection options should be considered in remote areas.

• Link to government planning cycles:
  Align ME-CASS reporting with existing monitoring systems to ensure sustainability and avoid duplication.

• Plan for future integration:
  Design the project with flexibility to extend the monitoring system to other vegetatively propagated crops like yam, sweetpotato, or banana.