Warning. This technology has not yet been validated, because it is not yet ready to scale.

Seeds2B Toolkit: Improved Variety Commercialization Toolkit

A set of tools on best practices for practitioners and investors in the seeds sector.

The Seed2B Toolkit provides practical knowledge, best practices, and tools to support the delivery of improved seed varieties to smallholder farmers. It addresses key areas such as pre-breeding analysis, seed production, marketing, commercial activities, and legal considerations, bridging the gap between advanced breeding efforts and successful seed commercialization. The toolkit offers a structured approach, guiding users through the product lifecycle in 12 stages across three key phases.

This technology is not yet validated.

1•1

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 1/9; level of use 1/9

The poor: Positive medium

Smallholder farmers face many challenges including low incomes, low productivity and market access. The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that would support their productivity as well as their income.

Under 18: Positive medium

The toolkit facilitates the development of solutions by guiding the design of new variety profiles for the breeding community and supporting the breeding programs that create these varieties. This approach enables breeders to develop targeted products, such as nutrition-dense crop varieties, specifically designed to combat malnutrition and improve the nutritional health of children.

Women: Positive medium

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties and includes methodologies for mainstreaming gender approaches such including women participation in seed variety selection as well as in prioritizing consumer market segments.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

It supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that build farmers resilience to the effects of climate change. For example, commercializing seed varieties of crops that are early maturing, drought and disease resistant, would positively impact farmers' ability to cope with current climate related risks. Additionally, the toolkit supports the design of varieties with traits specific to agroecological zones that helps farmers make right choice in the varieties adaptable to their farming systems.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

By diversifying crops, we can increase resilience to environmental changes and help ensure food security for generations to come.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that improve soil health and fertility. For example, legume crops can improve nitrogen fixation in soil while also promoting crop rotation that is essential for improving soil health and fertility.

Water use: Much less water used

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that can promote water use efficiency. Farmers can have access to drought-tolerant varieties that require less water to grow.

Problem

Policy and regulatory barriers: Complications in variety release and seed regulation.
Insufficient market understanding: Poorly targeted seed production due to lack of insights into farmer needs.
Limited capacity of SMEs: Gaps in technical expertise and business management within local seed enterprises.
Undefined roles and responsibilities: Overlaps and inefficiencies among CGIAR, national programs, and commercial companies.
Low adoption of quality seeds: Farmers often rely on outdated seeds, leading to low productivity and vulnerability to climate change.

Solution

Streamlined process: Guides users through problem identification, solution development, and delivery of improved varieties.
Capacity building: Enhances technical and business skills for small and medium seed enterprises (SMEs).
Market-driven approach: Encourages development of varieties aligned with market and farmer needs.
Regulatory support: Addresses policy hurdles to accelerate variety release and commercialization.
Enhanced access: Facilitates the adoption of high-quality seeds by smallholder farmers, improving yields, resilience, and livelihoods.

Key points to design your project

The Seed2B Toolkit empowers agricultural stakeholders by providing comprehensive tools and step-by-step guidance to improve seed commercialization and adoption. Through its focus on market-driven solutions, the toolkit promotes economic growth, improves farming practices, and aligns agricultural outputs with market demands.

To integrate the Seed2B Toolkit into your project, follow these steps:

Ensure project staff are trained in the toolkit’s methodologies through workshops or expert-led training sessions.
Develop communication materials such as brochures, videos, or digital campaigns to raise awareness and encourage adoption.
Allocate resources for digital tools, such as Android devices, for data collection and monitoring.

Collaborate with seed companies, agricultural research institutes, and policy organizations to maximize the toolkit's impact and scalability within your region.

By integrating the Seed2B Toolkit into your initiatives, you can unlock the potential for innovative seed solutions, empowering farmers and driving agricultural transformation.

0 USD

Toolkit cost

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	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	–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	Tropic - warm
Arid	–	–
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

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

Goal 1: no poverty

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that increase the productivity and income of farmers and other value chain actors in seed supply chain.

Goal 2: zero hunger

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that increase the productivity of farmers and subsequently improves food and nutrition security.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that increase the nutritional value of what people already eat.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties with one of its key targeted stakeholders being the private sector.

Goal 13: climate action

The toolkit supports efficiency in the commercialization of seeds of improved varieties that build farmers resilience to the effects of climate change.

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

In the solution design phase, the toolkit promotes inclusive partnerships among seed supply chain actors through the draft of business models and partnerships.

Access to the Toolkit:

The Seed2B Toolkit is available on its website.
Includes tools, templates, and step-by-step guides to use the toolkit dashboard.

PHASE 1: Problem Definition

Analyze Country Context:
- Evaluate factors affecting variety commercialization in a specific country.
- Collect data to understand opportunities and challenges.
Map Target Crop Areas:
- Create maps showing where crops are grown.
- Helps focus on specific regions for seed commercialization.
Investigate Farmer Challenges:
- Understand challenges through surveys and focus groups.
- Analyze buying decisions and feedback on crop varieties.
Conduct Value Chain Analysis (VCA):
- Examine activities in the crop value chain.
- Identify key players, challenges, and improvement areas.
Assess Ability to Address Challenges:
- Analyze internal and external factors.
- Develop strategies to address challenges and seize opportunities.
Articulate Problem Statement:
- Define the issue clearly to guide solutions.
- Describe gaps between current and desired performance.

PHASE 2: Solution Design

Prioritize Consumer Market Segments:
- Group markets based on similar needs.
- Tailor strategies for specific segments to boost profitability.
Segment and Prioritize Farmers:
- Understand farmers' preferences to tailor solutions.
- Customize strategies to meet diverse farmer needs.
Develop Target Product Profiles (TPP):
- Outline seed traits based on agroecological zones and market demands.
- Guide breeders and investors in seed variety development.
Analyze Farm Gate Economics:
- Assess crop profitability and optimize strategies.
- Compare costs and revenues to improve gross margins.
Draft Business Models with Partnerships:
- Develop collaborative frameworks to ensure seed variety success.
- Align products with farmer and market needs.
Create Investment Cases:
- Showcase project viability with cost-benefit analysis.
- Highlight strategic benefits of investing in new varieties.

PHASE 3: Solution Delivery

Plan Product Launch:
- Create timelines and roadmaps for product rollout.
- Align teams and prepare marketing strategies.
Develop Marketing Mix:
- Focus on pricing, promotion, and accessibility strategies.
- Ensure efficient delivery of seeds to farmers.
- Sub-activities:
  - Manage Product Life Cycle (PLC).
  - Set Value-Based Pricing.
  - Plan Promotional Activities.
  - Optimize Seed Delivery Pathway.
Plan and Produce Seeds:
- Balance seed supply and demand.
- Ensure high-quality seed production through collaboration.
Establish Legal Frameworks:
- Create licensing agreements for technology transfer.
- Register varieties with seed regulators.
- Use Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) for evaluations.