TAAT fosters Regional Approach to Innovative Wheat Seed Enterprise Development

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August 1, 2026

TAAT fosters Regional Approach to Innovative Wheat Seed Enterprise Development

As African countries continue working to improve wheat productivity and reduce dependence on imports, strengthening local seed systems has become a strategic priority.

Access to high-quality certified seed remains one of the most effective ways to increase yields, improve resilience to climate change and accelerate the adoption of improved wheat varieties.

Bringing together seed producers, young agripreneurs and development practitioners from across Africa, the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme, in collaboration with the CGIAR Scaling for Impact programme, is organising a regional capacity-building initiative to strengthen commercially viable wheat seed enterprises and accelerate the transformation of the continent’s wheat seed systems.

From 4 to 7 August 2026, through its TAAT Wheat Compact led by the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the ENABLE TAAT Compact led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), TAAT will organise a Regional Training Course on Technical and Agribusiness Skills Development for Wheat Seed Producers and Development Practitioners in Ethiopia.

The four-day training will equip participants with practical, technical, and business skills required to produce, market and sustainably commercialise quality wheat seed while supporting the transformation of Africa’s wheat value chain.

The training is part of the implementation of TAAT Phase II, which places strong emphasis on strengthening seed systems, promoting private-sector-led technology scaling, increasing youth participation, and enhancing agribusiness competitiveness.

Building on the achievements of previous TAAT phases, the initiative addresses the need for stronger links between technical seed production and profitable business models to ensure the sustainable delivery of improved technologies to farmers.

Approximately twenty-four participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are expected to attend the training. They include representatives of small and medium-sized seed enterprises, youth-led agribusinesses, producer cooperatives, extension services and national agricultural research institutions.

By bringing together actors from across the wheat seed value chain, the programme seeks to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen regional collaboration and promote innovative approaches to seed enterprise development.

Throughout this programme, participants will receive intensive training on improved wheat seed production, quality assurance and certification, seed processing and storage, agribusiness management, financial planning, marketing strategies, entrepreneurship and climate-smart wheat production. The course also includes practical sessions, interactive discussions and field visits to successful seed enterprises, allowing participants to learn directly from operational business models and exchange experiences with industry experts.

According to Dr Wuletaw Tadesse Degu, the TAAT wheat compact leader, “The initiative is expected to strengthen the technical and entrepreneurial capacities of wheat seed producers, improve the performance of youth-led seed enterprises and enhance the advisory capabilities of development practitioners.”

“It will also facilitate stronger connections between seed enterprises and financial institutions, contributing to increased availability of quality wheat seed, more competitive seed businesses and greater youth participation in the development of Africa’s wheat sector.” Dr Degu added.

Through this regional training, TAAT continues to demonstrate its commitment to building resilient and market-oriented agricultural systems by empowering seed enterprises, supporting young agripreneurs and accelerating the delivery of improved wheat technologies that contribute to sustainable food security and agricultural transformation across Africa.

Capacity Development, Enable TAAT, Enable Youth, Featured News, Home, Private Sector Engagement

Capacity Development and Technology Outreach, Engaging Youth in Agribusiness, Wheat