Category Archives: News

A state-of-the-art seed producing companies in Ethiopia visited

Staff from the ENSP project and a Plantum representative visited two cutting-edge seed producing companies: Nunhems, which is situated in the Amhara region close to Arerti town, and Solagrow PLC, a potato seed producer company situated around Bishoftu city. Ben Depraetere, Managing Director of Nunhems Ethiopia PLC and Country Head of BASF’s vegetable seed businessContinue reading “A state-of-the-art seed producing companies in Ethiopia visited”

National Seed Road Map Guide

What is required to strengthen a seed sector resulting in an increase in the use of quality seed of improved varieties for the crops that smallholder farmers grow? What does it take for policy makers, seed sector stakeholders and practitioners to answer the questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go, and how will we get there?

Counterfeit Seed: a growing challenge that is threatening the sector in Ethiopia

The problem of fake, counterfeit, or substandard seed in Ethiopia has received little attention, yet there are substantial indications of the problem as an emerging challenge facing the seed sector. Cognizant of this fact, ENSP has organized stakeholder workshops at Adama and Bahir Dar to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the status ofContinue reading “Counterfeit Seed: a growing challenge that is threatening the sector in Ethiopia”

Dysfunctional Plant Variety Protection in Ethiopia: Professionals’ Perspective

Plant Variety Protection (PVP) is one of the areas of debate among professionals in the sector. Beyond protecting the right of the breeder, it is also linked to international trade and different countries follow different system of protection. Although proclamation 481/2006 was enacted as early as 2006 and it was revised without being implemented inContinue reading “Dysfunctional Plant Variety Protection in Ethiopia: Professionals’ Perspective”

Vegetable seed import: A growing trend in both import volume and government spending 

The use of quality seed is essential for production and marketing of vegetables in Ethiopia. So far, large proportion of the vegetable seed is imported while the remaining proportion is produced domestically. Locally produced seeds include low yielding local varieties of some vegetables and relatively high yielding improved ones which have been released by publicContinue reading “Vegetable seed import: A growing trend in both import volume and government spending “

Vegetable Seed Import in Ethiopia: A Scoping Study Highlights

The conducive environment for vegetable production and the high quality of imported vegetable seeds has increased the demand for imported vegetable seeds in Ethiopia. The varieties that companies import must be registered. However, the registration process is very challenging for vegetable seed companies. In order to assess the import trend of vegetable seed, map currentContinue reading “Vegetable Seed Import in Ethiopia: A Scoping Study Highlights”

Transition in Progress:  Reclaiming responsibility for crop variety testing

Ethiopian seed proclamation and seed regulation specify that variety testing, both  Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability(DUS) test and Value for Cultivation and Use/National Performance (VCU/NPT) Trials, must be carried out by an impartial authority. In reality, the MoA has not taken up variety testing as impartial organization, rather research institutes that also generate the varieties doContinue reading “Transition in Progress:  Reclaiming responsibility for crop variety testing”

Improving the Capacity of Lab Analysts: to enhance seed quality control and assurance

Despite the efforts of many seed sector actors and partners, the results fell short of expectations, notably in terms of ensuring the production and availability of improved seeds to farmers. There are a lot of challenges which continue to limit the sector’s performance to respond effectively to the growing demand for improved seeds.

Strengthening Ethiopian Seed Sector Needs Coordinated Effort

Ethiopian Seed Association held its annual general assembly on 7-8th of April 2022 at Desalegn Hotel Addis Ababa. A competitive seed system for farmers’ long-term supply of high-quality seed was the theme of this year’s assembly. In his welcome speech, Mr. Melaku Admasu, the board chairman, discussed the status of the association, its accomplishments, andContinue reading “Strengthening Ethiopian Seed Sector Needs Coordinated Effort”

Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia and Four Projects Launched

WUR and Ethiopian partners launched new projects. The launch of SWR Ethiopia is officially marked today at the launch event held at Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel, Ethiopia. Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) is an international NGO based in Ethiopia. SWR Ethiopia is affiliated to Wageningen University & Research. Its mission is to leverage transformation inContinue reading “Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia and Four Projects Launched”

Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia launches new project portfolio

This week, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Ethiopian partners are launching several new projects that focus on improving Ethiopia’s food system. The projects are part of the portfolio of the newly established Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia. Do you want to know more about the projects and/or SWR Ethiopia, please visit: https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/centre-for-development-innovation/show-cdi/Stichting-Wageningen-Research-Ethiopia-launches-new-project-portfolio.htm