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

Yield gap: Most farmers achieve <10 tons/ha due to poor planting materials.
Disease spread: Over 80% of cassava fields show signs of viral infection.
Market distortion: Free stem distribution undermines systemic development.
Regulatory vacuum: Weak enforcement of seed certification and traceability.

Solution

Builds local capacity and seed entrepreneurship for youth and women: Through dedicated modules on capacity building, business modeling, and the formation of seed producer associations, individuals are equipped with technical skills (e.g. propagation, disease management) and business knowledge (e.g. pricing, marketing, recordkeeping).
Boosts productivity and resilience through clean planting material: Field trials show a 40–100% increase in cassava yield with BASICS-recommended seed practices (IITA Annual Report, 2021).
Supports digital public goods and e-certification through Seed Tracker: It strengthens transparency, supports national regulators, and reduces the cost and time of certification processes, making the seed system more accountable and scalable.
Contributes to SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, 13, and 17 through integrated partnerships.

Key points to design your program

Africa’s cassava sector holds great potential for food security, job creation, and industrial transformation. Development partners can catalyze this potential by supporting the BASICS model as a scalable and inclusive solution to modernize cassava seed systems.

For meaningful integration, development partners can:

Provide funding and technical support to establish early-generation seed enterprises or enhance seed units within public institutions.
Facilitate the establishment of SAH laboratories to boost the production and accessibility of clean planting material at scale.
Invest in training and institutional frameworks that empower youth and women to become viable Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs), creating pathways to rural employment and income.
Support national regulatory systems with resources and tools to uphold seed quality standards and facilitate certification mechanisms.

BASICS-II partners are ready to collaborate with donors and implementing agencies to co-design impactful seed system strengthening initiatives.

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.