FAO Webinar Strengthens Call for Digital Solutions and Investment to Enhance Farmers’ Access to Quality Seed Across Africa
Digital technologies are poised to revolutionize Africa’s agricultural landscape, particularly in seed systems, as highlighted during a recent high-level webinar organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Office for Africa. The event, titled Leveraging Digital Solutions for Strengthening the Seed Systems in Africa, convened policymakers, researchers, development partners, and seed sector practitioners to discuss how digital innovations can enhance seed certification, improve traceability, and support informed decision-making throughout the seed value chain.
Context and Objectives of the Webinar
The webinar was part of the FAO project “Leveraging Digital Systems for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Food Crises” (EmergenSys), which is currently being implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan. This initiative aims to foster knowledge-sharing on digital agriculture and contributes to the preparations for the Digitalization Thematic Area of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026.
Despite advancements, many farmers across Africa still face challenges in accessing certified, climate-resilient seeds. The FAO reports that high-quality seeds, when combined with effective agricultural practices, can boost crop yields by up to 30%. This underscores the necessity for robust seed systems to transform Africa’s agrifood systems.
Insights from FAO Officials
Priya Gujadhur, Senior Regional Resilience Officer at FAO’s Regional Office for Africa, opened the webinar by emphasizing the role of digital technologies in creating more efficient and transparent seed systems. Gujadhur stated that digitalization transcends mere technology adoption; it aims to build systems that better serve farmers while enhancing transparency and access.
In his keynote address, Meshack Malo, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa, reinforced the importance of quality seed as the cornerstone of agricultural transformation and food security. He acknowledged the progress made by several African nations in strengthening their seed sectors but noted that challenges such as fragmented certification systems and limited market information continue to hinder agricultural productivity.
Malo advocated for integrated digital ecosystems that connect farmers, researchers, seed producers, regulators, and markets to enhance efficiency and broaden access to quality seed across the continent.
The Role of Digital Technologies
Jeffrey Kwesiga, Principal Agricultural Economist at the African Development Bank and founder of the EmergenSys project, highlighted the increasing significance of digital technologies in seed certification, demand forecasting, and regional seed trade. He pointed out that robust seed systems are essential for ensuring food security and fostering resilient agricultural practices.
The webinar showcased how the EmergenSys project has been fortifying digital seed systems in Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This has been achieved through capacity building and the development of digital seed platforms in collaboration with organizations like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Government representatives shared insights from various digital seed certification systems, including those managed by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Ethiopia’s Ethio-Seed platform, and Uganda’s e-Phyto initiative. These examples illustrated how digital tools have modernized seed inspection, certification, traceability, and variety registration.
Recommendations for Future Development
Participants at the webinar recommended adopting a modular and phased approach to developing digital seed systems, emphasizing that these systems should be treated as public goods. They also highlighted the need for regulatory reviews to accommodate electronic certification and stressed that technology must be supported by enabling policies, institutional capacity, and strong partnerships to achieve lasting impact.
Interactive polls conducted during the session revealed that the digitalization of seed systems is uneven across countries. Many participants characterized progress as limited or emerging. Key areas identified for further investment included seed information management systems, digital certification and traceability, and enhancing institutional and user capacities.
Despite the varying levels of progress and existing challenges, there was a consensus that increased investment in digital infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and interoperable systems is crucial for scaling innovation across Africa.
Commitment to Support and Future Outlook
Closing the webinar, Gujadhur reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to assisting Member Nations through technical support, innovation, and knowledge sharing to strengthen national seed systems and accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems across the continent. Over 200 participants from various regions joined the 90-minute dialogue, underscoring the widespread interest in advancing Africa’s agricultural future.
As the continent embraces digital agriculture, the discussions reinforced a critical message: the enhancement of seed systems will rely not only on technological innovation but also on coordinated efforts to ensure that every farmer has access to the quality seeds necessary for sustainable food production.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-15 16:50:00 • By the Editorial Desk
