Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) has reinstated its commitment to facilitating a resilient and sustainable seed system in Africa.

The Head of TAAT Clearinghouse, Dr Solomon Gizaw disclosed this at the 2023 edition of Seed Connect Africa, which held in Abuja 28-29 November 2023. Represented by Mr Yarama Ndirpaya, Dr Gizaw enjoined African seed actors to explore win-win partnership opportunities with TAAT.

Organised by Nigeria’s National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), in collaboration with other national and international partners, the Seed Connect Africa conference and exhibition brought together, over three hundred participants, including policymakers, academia, lawmakers, IT service providers, national and foreign collaborators, advocacy groups, farmers, youth and women groups, and major actors across the seed value chain.

Following two days of intensive deliberation on the theme “Global Declaration of Food Emergency: The Role of the Seed Industry in Ensuring Africa’s Food and Nutrition Security,” the conference resolutions underscored the importance of promoting inclusive seed systems, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, and strengthening capacities for pasture and forage crop breeding.

Additionally, the involvement of youth and women in agriculture, particularly in seed production using IT technology, was highlighted as essential for sustainability.

The call to transform seed industry stakeholders from players to actors through effective collaboration and knowledge sharing resonated throughout the deliberations. Overall, the event served as a platform for comprehensive discussions on critical issues affecting the seed industry’s sustainable development in Africa.