Improving the Seed System

The Kingdom of the Netherlands and TechnoServe have entered into a three-year grant agreement to support the work of small commercial farmers and the Government of Mozambique’s ongoing efforts to reduce poverty.

This $5-million project will specialize in high-potential crops, beginning with soybean and groundnuts, to improve income and nutrition for three million poor smallholder families that are underserved by the formal seed system. This effort bridges formal and informal seed systems, leading to a more consumer-responsive distribution network based on newly mechanized small-scale entrepreneurs.

The project further aims to establish a cohort of small commercial farmers with the competencies and tools to improve the competitiveness of local seed production. Taken together, this partnership has the potential to transform the seed system in Mozambique by generating nutritional outcomes and increases in smallholder farmer income, unlocking the participation of women in decision-making about production and the use of generated income, encouraging substantial private investment and supporting policy development through well-informed regional seed grower associations. This approach embraces people’s innovation and empowers farmers to determine their own strategies as they navigate issues of market access, food security, labor availability and the harvest cycle.

Contact:
Luis Pereira, lpereira@tns.org