GLOBAL SUPPORTING SEED SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

FY21 ANNUAL WORK PLAN

October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021

This Annual Work Plan was prepared by the Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development

activity for review by Feed the Future and the United States Agency for International Development.

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Submission date: September 4, 2020

Resubmission date: November 6, 2020

Agreement Number: 7200AA18LE00004

Submitted to: Daniel Bailey, Agreement Officer Representative, Agriculture Development Officer, Bureau for Food Security

Submitted by: Nikaj van Wees, Chief of Party, S34D activity

Photo credit: Laura Elizabeth Pohl, CRS DISCLAIMER This Annual Work Plan was made possible by the generous support from the American people through the U.S. Government's Feed the Future initiative and the United States Agency for International Development through Cooperative Agreement 7200AA18LE00004. The contents are the responsibility of Catholic Relief Services and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Consortium Partners in the Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity:

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Activity Title: Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity

Activity start date and end date: Aug 24, 2018 – Aug 23, 2023 Cooperative agreement number: 7200AA18LE00004 Document title: FY21 AWP (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021) Publication date: September 4, 2020 Author’s name: Catholic Relief Services Grantee’s name: Catholic Relief Services Sponsoring USAID office: LOC Unit, Federal Center Plaza (SA 44)/M/CFO/

CMP Technical office: USAID/RFS/CA AOR name: Daniel Bailey Activity Goal: Improved functioning of the high-impact integrated

seed systems Language of document: English Submitted by: Nikaj van Wees, Chief of Party S34D activity

Catholic Relief Services 228 W. Lexington Str, Baltimore, MD 21201 Nikaj.vanwees@crs.org

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

II. Work Plan ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

IR 1.1. Formal Seed Sector ................................................................................................................................... 9

IR 1.2. Informal Seed Sector .............................................................................................................................. 11

IR 1.3. Emergency, Humanitarian Aid and Resilience (EHAR) .................................................................. 13

IR 2.1 and 2.2. Interface and Collaboration .................................................................................................... 16

Cross-cutting IR 1 and 2. Policy and Information Flow .............................................................................. 23

III. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activities ................................................................................... 31

Brief overview of proposed activities ......................................................................................................... 31 Evaluative Learning ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Dissemination Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 37

IV. S34D FY21 Budget ..................................................................................................................................... 39

V. Annexes .......................................................................................................................................................... 40

Annex A. Detailed Implementation Plan ......................................................................................................... 40

Annex B. Activity Budget Summary ................................................................................................................. 41

Annex C. Travel Budget ..................................................................................................................................... 42

Annex D. Proposed Mission-funded Activity Descriptions ......................................................................... 43

Annex E. Mission-funded Activity Budget ...................................................................................................... 63

Annex F. S34D Organogram ............................................................................................................................. 64

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

ABC Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

AE Agri Experience

AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

CP Consortium Partner

CSA Central Statistical Agency

DiNER Diversity for Nutrition and Enhanced Resilience

DUS Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability

EGS Early Generation Seed

EHAR Emergency, Humanitarian Aid and Resilience

gFSC Global Food Security Cluster

ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center

INRAB Institut Nationnal des Recherches Agricoles du Benin

ISSD Integrated Seed Sector Development

KALRO Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization

KEPHIS Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services

NARS National Agricultural Research System

OI Opportunity International

PABRA Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance

PASP Private Agricultural Services Providers

PIA Participatory Impact Assessment

PWD Persons with Disabilities

QDS Quality Declared Seed

S34D Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity

SMS Short Message Service (text message)

SSA Sub-Saharan Africa

SSSA Seed System Security Assessment

STAK Seed Trade Association of Kenya

TASAI The African Seed Access Index

TASTA Tanzania Seed Trade Association

VCU Value for Cultivation and Use of Agricultural Crops

WCDI Center for Development Innovation (Wageningen)

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I. Introduction

The Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity (S34D) is a five-year Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement Award, funded by Feed the Future through the Bureau of Resilience and Food Security (RFS) and by USAID through the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). Catholic Relief Services is leading this consortium with the support of a team of Consortium Partners (CPs): the Alliance for Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC), the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), Opportunity International (OI), IFDC and Agri Experience (AE). S34D’s Life of Activity (LOA) runs from August 2018 through August 2023. The overarching goal of S34D is to improve the functioning of national seed sectors in an inclusive manner in our focus countries. The activity aims to meet its goals by increasing the capacity of each of the seed systems to sustainably offer quality, affordable seeds of a range of crops (Objective 1) and increasing collaboration and coordination among all seed systems actors and actions (Objective 2). This integrated approach is further strengthened by cross-cutting IRs that seek to improve policies and practices that support pluralistic seed systems, rather than focusing on individual parts of each system.

In FY21, S34D will implement twenty activities as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Number of activities by IR, continued or new and core or Mission-funded.

Core-funded Mission-funded

Intermediate Result Areas Continued activity New activity

Formal (IR 1.1) 2

Informal (IR 1.2) 1

EHAR (IR 1.3) 2

Interface between seed systems (IR 2.1 and 2.2) 5

Cross cutting (CCIR 1 and 2) 3 3 4

In this work plan, the activity descriptions are provided in section 2, followed by S34D’s gender approach for the year. Activity narratives have a justification section, some include how it contributes to building resilience, and how the activity is ensuring inclusivity. While S34D is going through its LOA mid-term, the team will use this year for evaluative learning, which is expanded upon in the M&E and Learning in section 3.

The Detailed Implementation Plan can be found in Annex A and the core budget details can be found in Annex B and the travel budget in Annex C. S34D is not planning international travel in the first six month of FY21 and will continue to comply with COVID-19 restrictions and regulations from USAID and WHO. FY20 revealed that much of the work can be done virtually and S34D will continue working remotely and virtually as much as possible in FY21.

All proposed Mission-funded activities are listed in Annex D and the Mission-funded budget in Annex E. An updated S34D organogram can be found in Annex F.

CRS’ Impact Investment team (through cost share) will assist consortium members with private

sector engagement activities through opportunity identification and relationship development, to

strengthen S34D’s activities. This may also include, as needed, facilitating managerial and business

planning support for enterprises as well as seeking support from a network of mission-oriented

impact investors that could be leveraged as appropriate.

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II. Work Plan The implementation plan is color coded by timing and funding in Table 2.

• Orange colored activity titles are activities that will continue from FY20.

• Blue colored activity titles are new FY21 activities.

• Red colored activity titles are Mission-funded activities.

• All proposed Mission-funded activities, which have not been funded yet, can be found in Annex D.

Table 2. Summary table of core and mission-funded activities, partners and outputs.

Number Title (core or mission) Partner(s) Output

1.1.3.1 (FY20 1.1.1.6)

Digital training of seed inspectors and samplers in Zambia (core).

AE, CRS Digital training learning management system and platform and 60 seed inspectors trained (16 female)

1.1.4.1 Last mile prototype: micro-franchise model roll out in Kenya (core).

IFDC (budget

from FY20)

10 MFEs and 30 boda boda riders trained, one field day with three firms and 100 farmers (40 female)

1.2.4.1 (CCIR 2.3.1)

Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core).

ABC-PABRA

Revised FY20 Niche model report

1.3.1.1 Participatory Impact Assessment (PIA) of Emergency Seed

Interventions (OFDA core) CRS, ABC-

PABRA

PIA design documents for each intervention to be assessed; and PIA reports for each intervention assessed

1.3.3.1 Develop tools for rapid, remote seed security assessments (core).

CRS, ABC-PABRA

Reports from field tests; final toolset

2.1.3.1 Establish farm-based bean seed enterprises in Burundi (OFDA core)

ABC-PABRA

4 new and improved bean varieties rolled out in partnership with 30 farm-based enterprises (10 women-led)

2.2.2.1 Design seed vouchers & fairs (SVFs) for resilience and/or long-term programming (core).

CRS, OI, ABC-

PABRA

SVF vendor workshop reports, multi-year actionable plans and learning reports

2.2.2.2 Support the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed sectors in fragile states, e.g. in DRC, South Sudan, Burundi (core).

CRS, OI, AE, ABC-PABRA

13 individual partner-based case study findings, 3 study reports and paper containing proposed models

2.2.3.1 Develop and test market-based emergency seed security interventions (core).

CRS, OI, ABC-

PABRA

Concept note, 2 or 3 actionable plans, guidelines, plan for testing and monitoring of selected intervention

2.2.3.2 Assess the role of market pull to enhance resilience of seed supply and respond to emergency needs under informal seed systems in South and North Kivu in DRC (core).

ABC-PABRA

Study report

CCIR 1.1.1 Develop and compare regulatory system maps in Ethiopia (Mission).

CRS Seed regulatory system maps for Ethiopia

CCIR 1.2.1 Compare seed clubs and QDS Producers: South to South Learning; compare with Niger Federation of millet growers (core).

CRS Global seed policy brief, disseminated through S34D seed policy and regulatory community-of-practice

CCIR 1.2.3 Implement and pilot of Standard Seed Protocol in Kenya (core).

AE Standard seed protocol

CCIR 1.3.1 Develop policy brief on seed registry in Benin (core). CRS Policy study report, disseminated through S34D seed policy and regulatory Community of Practice

CCIR 1.3.2 Assess and evaluate the policy and regulatory barriers with specific stress (saline-drought) tolerant varieties in Myanmar (core).

CRS 2 seed policy and regulatory dialogues facilitated, roadmap for 1 saline-tolerant rice and 1 drought-tolerant nutrient-dense legume crop

CCIR 2.2.1 Develop forage informatic dashboard using seed data and metrics and a policy brief on forage seed systems in Ethiopia (Mission).

CRS Forage-seed informatic tool digitized and one policy brief

CCIR 2.2.2 Test out recommendations from FY20 technical roadmap, in select zones (10-15) in Ethiopia (Mission).

CRS Augmented methodology / framework at the systemic level to conduct seed demand / market forecasting in Ethiopia

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CCIR 2.2.3 COVID-19 sub-regional seed assessment alerts in Ethiopia (Mission).

CRS Three seed alerts

CCIR 2.3.1 (1.2.4.1)

Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core).

CRS Digital application

CCIR 2.3.2 Pilot SMS-based farmer feedback loop on seed quality, known as Stop Bad Seed (Ripoti Mbegu Isiyo Bora - RIMI) in Tanzania (core).

AE Campaigns carried out, farmers' data analyzed, TOSCI staff coached on data analysis

Geography In FY21, S34D will work in nine countries; S34D will expand to Myanmar in Asia, and Benin, Burundi and the DRC in Africa. Throughout the year, S34D will continue to engage with Missions to design core and Mission-funded activities. S34D’s proposed countries of operation are displayed in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. S34D Countries of Operation in FY21

Gender

S34D is taking an active approach to ensure gender and youth are proactively addressed in most activities described below. In addition, to explicitly state how S34D will integrate gender and youth into the design of activities, the S34D gender advisor will review all SoWs, tools, draft frameworks, reports and briefs. The author of the materials reviewed will provide written responses on how the threshold issues identified are addressed. These required reviews are included in partner contracts and agreements. The gender advisor will engage with CRS’ youth and PWD advisor as needed. On a quarterly basis, a learning session will be held with S34D consortium partner staff to share their experience and what they are learning about gender, and youth through their activities and to discuss any challenges or constraints they are facing.

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IR 1.1. Formal Seed Sector

In the formal seed sector, S34D will continue to work with the University of Zambia, SCCI, and Implementing Partners, like the Southern Africa Seed Trade Project, to develop a digital platform to train and test seed inspectors in the Southern Africa Region. In Kenya, the final steps of a micro-franchise last mile model roll out will be implemented. Furthermore, the formal seed sector lead will work closely with the EHAR team to provide support to activities 2.2.2.1, 2.2.2.2 and 2.2.3.1.

IR 1.1 Constraints in formal seed systems identified and mitigated Sub IR 1.1.3 Capacities of local seed actors strengthened

Continue from FY20 - Activity 1.1.3.1 (FY20 1.1.1.6): Digital training of seed inspectors and samplers in Zambia (core). Justification: Training and licensing inspectors from formal sector seed companies to conduct quality assurance inspections of crops (other than hybrid maize) provides the prospects for seed companies to increase the volume of certified seed, which can then be marketed through agrodealer networks and be made available to farmers. Building the number of seed inspectors and bringing in both public and private inspectors offers the opportunity to have more seed inspected, and at lower cost, if seed inspection is coupled with digital certification, compliance software. These factors, more inspectors, and use of modern compliance systems will provide greater efficiencies and flexibility within the seed system and this has the potential to reduce dependence on recycled seed, as more farmers will receive access to certified seed.

The online seed inspector training course has the advantage that it can also be used in other countries and contexts, especially those that are trying to improve the quality and availability of seed to their farming population, such as neighboring DRC or Mozambique, which have very few trained inspectors and where there is a dire need of quality certified seed. In addition, within a given country, training and licensing authorized non-government seed inspectors will improve the formal sector business case for producing a wider range of crops, potentially contributing to resiliency by allowing farmers to cultivate a wider diversity of certified seed types. This training course is therefore a step towards a more inclusive business process, that will support other face to face training options and tools.

Description: In FY20, a virtual seed inspection training in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique was established with partners SCCI and the Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project. This year, CRS and Agri Experience will facilitate the process to identify an appropriate digital training system and platform, refine training materials and move these onto the digital platform, develop a testing approach, and facilitate the training of trainers on use of the digital platform. SCCI will conduct a trial run on the digital platform with four crops, but may add new crops onto the platform over time. It is anticipated that the digital learning process will enable flexibility for women to participate in the training, given household responsibilities and travel restrictions. To further support women in participating in this digital training, the training schedule will consider the length of each session and the amount of offline work and time allocated to complete it. Given the opportunity to use this in other countries, guidance will accompany this manual on tips for supporting women to actively participate in the digital training. Youth may be particularly interested in this mode of learning, so guidance on how to target male and female youth will be included. The digital training materials will be designed so those who may have limited disabilities (e.g. hearing impairments) can

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actively participate in this training. Outputs of this activity are training content for four crops developed and these training content and seed inspectors’ testing option will be added to a virtual platform. SCCI will train 60 inspectors (16 female) in Zambia. This activity will be carried completed by Q3 of FY21.

Sub IR 1.1.4 Sustainable models with private sector players to supply quality EGS and QDS to a range of suppliers piloted and scaled using innovative financing

Continue from FY20 - Activity 1.1.4.1: Last mile prototype: micro-franchise model roll out in Kenya (core). Justification: Agrodealers (retailers or agro-vets) located in rural towns are often considered as last mile agents for delivering necessary agricultural inputs. Yet, the services offered by agrodealers in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are limited in terms of geography and portfolio of crop-seed varietal choices (except maize and vegetables), as required by the famers in remote communities. The constraints range from limited ‘supply push’ and lack of ‘sustainable demand’ for other crop seeds. This calls for designing innovative last mile models that provide increased access to new crop varieties, mutually benefitting farmers and retailers in the value chain. The basic premise for using a micro-franchise prototype model approach is to ensure sustainability, i.e. the proposed prototype will not seek to create new market players, but utilize existing market actors in the seed value chain.

Description: This activity started in Q4 of FY20, but due to COVID-19, this activity will continue and be concluded in FY21. In this activity, a micro-franchise model will be piloted in Eastern Kenya, engaging existing seed firms (FRESHCO) to penetrate to the last mile by partnering with locally based micro-entrepreneurs, such as input retailers, bike riders, etc., offering them access to supply chains, products and services (training, branding and marketing strategies). Some key aspects to consider as a part of this prototype include scalability, sustainability, adaptability to new technologies, incorporation of quality standards and incorporating home grown or local knowledge, skills, and solutions.

S34D will design activities that capitalize on opportunities and overcome barriers that discourages entrepreneurs and end-users participation based on gender, age, and other forms of exclusion. It will seek existing seed market actors who are women, male and female youth, and PWD to be part of the training. The micro-retailers and boda boda riders will receive training to support them in making their services gender sensitive. For end-users, new technologies and tools in service delivery, such as information or knowledge sharing, or finance are adapted to include the previously excluded group. Digital services along with mobile delivery of services offer opportunities for greater participation of ‘previously excluded groups’ as most of the services can be made available at the home front. Additionally, baseline and feedback from trainings (retailers and field day participants) will include gender and age disaggregated data to understand if there are any differences in knowledge perception across groups as well as gender-related knowledge questions based on expected content to be delivered. Outputs for this activity include 10 MFEs (micro retailers) and 30 boda boda riders trained, one field day organized with 3 firms and 100 farmers (40 female) participating (complying with COVID-19 regulations). This activity will be completed in Q1 of FY21.

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IR 1.2. Informal Seed Sector

The informal seed sector will finalize the niche market business models in Kenya (1.2.4.1), and assess the role of market pull of seed supply, and respond to emergency needs in South and North Kivu in DRC (2.2.3.2). The informal team will closely work with the integration and collaboration (IRs 2.1 and 2.2) and the EHAR activities (IR 1.3).

IR 1.2 Strengthened capacity of informal seed systems to offer a broader range of affordable, improved quality seed

Sub IR 1.2.4 Last mile delivery solutions through non-traditional partners and ICT strengthened

Continue from FY20 - 1.2.4.1 (CCIR 2.3.1): Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core). Justification: The niche market business models, aims to provide farmers with access to biofortified (higher-iron) beans, using nontraditional seed supply methods. Overcoming seed access constraints has the potential to increase impacts of agricultural research significantly. This work will chronicle how multisectoral partnerships were coordinated between various stakeholders in expanding access and use of biofortified bean varieties. The nutritional and other agronomic attributes of Nyota, an iron rich bean variety, can also contribute to expanding the market of the biofortified beans in the supply chain. In FY20, ABC-PABRA supported Bubayi Seed Company and fourteen agrodealers in western Kenya to market and reach farmers with Nyota. The Point of Sale (PoS) ICT application collected seed sales, information and feedback from agrodealers, motorbike/boda boda riders and farmers. This activity resulted in a report that recommended: i) use of boda boda for last mile delivery to supply the hard-to-reach farmers in remote areas, particularly women; ii) real-time feedback to seed suppliers (seed companies and agrodealer retail outlets) to increase seed movement and provide feedback on variety performance by farmers; and iii) relevant information to farmers about varieties. This activity was supposed to collect information during two seasons, one long season (September-October 2019) and one short season (March-April 2020). However, because Bubayi did not have Nyota seed in FY20 to be used for the second season (short rains season) pilot, S34D explored options to work with Dryland Seed Ltd (DSL).

Description: This activity will be conducted in Kitui, Makueni and Machakos Counties in Eastern Kenya, with Nyota seed from Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), distributed through Dryland Seed Ltd.) during the short rains period of September – October 2020. This will enable the data collection of the niche market point of sale pilot and the testing of the niche market business model. This activity will use non-traditional actors (boda boda) for seed distribution. In compliance with Kenyan seed regulations, the use of boda boda riders for distribution becomes an important element to assess policy implications, and potential contribution to smallholder farmers’ resilience. Data will be collected from Dryland Seed Ltd., KALRO Seed Unit, 15 agrodealers, 15 boda boda riders, and at least 200 farmers (60 female) on distribution and access of Nyota seed, and production of grain. When collecting data from individuals, at a minimum sex and age data will be collected to allow for gender and age analysis. This will allow assessment of access by women who usually travel long distances for seed. To explore the potential option of encouraging female boda boda riders, specific questions will be raised with boda boda riders and agrodealers to identify gender-related opportunities and barriers (including safety concerns). A

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dialogue, including women’s participation, with KEPHIS will be facilitated on the use of non-traditional distributors. The activities build the resilience of farmers through improved access to quality seeds and other farm-inputs, improved grain production and enhanced nutrition leading to better livelihoods. Following policy guidelines encouraging the consumption of high-iron beans, women and children will benefit through reduced blood disorders and improved cognitive abilities respectively. Farmers and traders who are PWDs will benefit from easy access to improved seeds and complementary agro-inputs. CRS’ Impact Investment team (through cost share) will summarize investment requirements and referral process and share with consortium members to include an inventory of available services that could complement activities to strengthen seed companies.

Outputs of this activity will be: a) report that demonstrates validation of the niche market model pilot in Kenya for the Nyota biofortified beans; b) policy guidelines to guide engagement with KEPHIS on the use of non-traditional distributors (boda boda). This activity will be completed in Q3-Q4 of FY21.

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IR 1.3. Emergency, Humanitarian Aid and Resilience (EHAR)

Activities within the EHAR portfolio cut across IR 1.3 (to strengthen the capacity of emergency and humanitarian aid programs) and IR 2.2 (to strengthen the interface between development and relief to resilient and market-based seed systems). The portfolio both builds on and expands S34D’s work to date by focusing on market-based interventions suitable for both acute and chronic stresses, including ways in which seed vouchers and fairs (SVFs, also known as DiNER fairs) can be used to achieve longer-term objectives relating to seed market development. Given the current lack of quality evidence to show the impact of seed fairs, S34D will work with other NGO partners to develop the evidence base. The activities also address the need to build resilience to recurrent crises, both in terms of building resilient seed systems, as well as resilient livelihoods in which farmers have access to improved seeds for a range of crops. The theme of resilient seed systems is explored through a focus on fragile states and the ‘double interface’ between formal and informal seed systems and between relief and developmental interventions.

A collaborative approach will be taken, combining the range of sectoral expertise and perspectives from the different S34D partners and allowing the findings and lessons that have emerged to date from S34D activities to be further developed and applied in innovative ways. Many of the EHAR activities will involve the use of participatory action research or ‘learning by doing,’ in which new approaches will be piloted and adapted by implementing partners working in both acute and chronic emergency settings. S34D will work closely with members of the newly established Agriculture Working Group of the Global Food Security Cluster (gFSC), and the capacity of emergency and humanitarian aid actors will be enhanced through their direct involvement in the activities.

IR 1.3 Strengthened capacity of emergency and humanitarian aid programs to respond effectively to acute and chronic stresses

Sub IR 1.3.1 Select emergency and humanitarian past actions assessed: focus on farmer evaluation, new varieties, and markets (local and formal)

New Activity 1.3.1.1. Participatory Impact Assessment (PIA) of emergency seed interventions (OFDA core). Justification: A preliminary review of available documentation suggests that current evidence on the impacts of emergency seed interventions is largely based on a combination of well documented intervention outputs and assumptions regarding the utilization of seed. Evidence of outputs is generally quantitative and comprehensive, but the translation of that evidence to outcomes in terms of increased seed utilization by beneficiaries is much less certain. Existing evidence for increased productivity and consequent enhanced food security as a result of seed-based interventions appears to be almost entirely intuitive. There is no strong evidence to show that beneficiaries are subsequently more food secure than non-beneficiaries.

Given the prevalence of seed fairs within emergency interventions that aim to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers affected by disaster, there is a need to generate quality evidence that shows the extent to which seed fair approaches may or may not be realizing their anticipated impacts. Such an evidence base is necessary to inform and improve humanitarian and development

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work, and to be able to communicate the effectiveness of different intervention types to donors and the general public.1

Description: The proposed activity aims to answer three broad questions: (1) How have selected emergency seed interventions impacted on the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers and seed suppliers involved? (2) What have been the impacts of selected emergency seed interventions on the informal and formal seed systems (including seed markets) in the local area? (3) What are the key ‘best practice’ approaches for the design and implementation of emergency seed interventions in order to achieve specific livelihood impacts, e.g. on household food security, nutrition, resilience, income, on seed markets, etc.2

Specific emergency interventions involving seed fairs and/or direct seed distribution implemented by various implementing partners (e.g. CRS/Caritas, World Vision International, Samaritan’s Purse) will be identified for detailed assessment. Question 1 will be addressed through a participatory impact assessment (PIA) methodology, as described in the 2013 Feinstein Design Guide (see footnote 1). Livelihoods outcomes will be assessed through a gender, youth and PWD lens. PIA with additional key informant interviews will be used to address Question 2, including interviews with a range of seed suppliers with diverse backgrounds (gender, age, female-owned). Question 3 will be addressed in FY22 through a workshop involving the implementing partners and other in-country stakeholders, based on the data collected by the PIA.

The assessment will be undertaken in three phases: (a) During the planning and design phase (October 2020 – February 2021), assessment partners will be agreed, specific interventions to be assessed will be identified, and the assessments will be designed for each intervention, based on the eight stages detailed in the Feinstein Design Guide. (b) The fieldwork and reporting phase will take place from March through till September 2021. (c) The third phase will take place in FY22 (October 2021 – January 2022) and will synthesize the findings from the individual assessments. The FY21 outputs will be: (a) detailed PIA design documents for each intervention to be assessed; and (b) detailed PIA reports for each intervention assessed.

Sub IR 1.3.3 Tools and information systems to enhance emergency seed security responses

Continue from FY20 - Activity 1.3.3.1 Develop tools for rapid, remote seed security assessments (core). Justification: A seed system security assessment (SSSA) is essential prior to any emergency seed intervention, yet the current SSSA tool requires detailed fieldwork and takes several weeks to undertake. In FY20, S34D started drafting a rapid and remote SSSA suitable for use under COVID-19 restrictions. The tool assesses both formal and informal seed systems and determines appropriate emergency responses, including, where appropriate, ways in which seed systems can be more resilient. These tools were being reviewed by S34D and gFSC partners in July-August 2020, with plans to test them in various locations in late 2020 and early 2021.

Description: Additional testing and refinement will be undertaken in FY21 by CRS Country Programs and/or by other members of the gFSC Agriculture Working Group Task Force that has been established to review the rapid and remote SSSA tools. Members of the Task Force include

1 Catley, A., Burns, J., Abebe, D., Suji, O. (2013). Participatory Impact Assessment: A Design Guide. Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Somerville. https://fic.tufts.edu/publication-item/participatory-impact-assessment-a-design-guide/ 2 Seed fairs can be designed in different ways to achieve varying objectives, so ‘best practice’ approaches would be expected to vary according to specific fair objectives.

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USAID, Concern, Solidarités International, Samaritans Purse, Food for the Hungry, Mercy Corps, International Rescue Committee, FAO and CRS. Inputs provided by gFSC members are self-financed; depending on their levels of effort, the tools might be branded as a gFSC output. The tested, refined tools will be available by May 2021. The rapid and remote SSSA will collect sex, age and disability disaggregated data and will encourage users to collect data from male and female farmers, traders and key informants. The tool will incorporate gender-specific questions related to seed access and use. The data will be analyzed using a gender, youth and disability lens and the response analysis will consider the advantages and disadvantages of different interventions to different population groups. In assessing this tool through its pilots, feedback will be received from male and female reviewers and data collectors to allow their different perspectives to be captured. Assessment reports will be reviewed to understand how the gender and age disaggregated data influenced responses. The output of this activity is a final, validated toolset, to be completed by Q3 of FY21.

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IR 2.1 and 2.2. Interface and Collaboration

The interface between relief and development will be explored in two chronic stress contexts: (i) fragile state and (ii) recurring drought. The activities in fragile states will address the relief-development interface and the interface between formal and informal seed systems. The approach will assess how seed systems interventions can be designed to provide more resilience in weak or failed states, and where governments are unable to provide agricultural inputs and services. In situations of recurrent drought, seed vouchers and fairs (SVFs, or DiNER fairs) – originally designed as a short term, relief intervention, are being applied over multiple years to achieve developmental objectives. In FY21, S34D will document recent experience and lessons from SVF programming for developmental purposes and how SVFs can strengthen seed markets. The SVF activity also contributes to S34D’s broader, on-going theme on market-based interventions. Under this IR, S34D will also assess the role of market pull of seed supply and respond to emergency needs under informal seed systems in South and North Kivu in DRC.

IR 2.1 Strengthened interface and collaboration between formal and informal seed systems Sub IR 2.1.4 Effects of market-based interventions on seed market operations and last mile

delivery systems are assessed.

Sub IR 2.1.3 Formal sector suppliers and NARs / breeders leveraged and linked with local farming communities and professionalized informal seed sellers NEW Activity 2.1.3.1. Establish farm-based bean seed enterprises in Burundi (OFDA core). Justification: Burundi has gone through repetitive cycles of civil unrest. The major seed intervention/responses have been emergency seed distribution including, improved varieties from outside of the country. This has not contributed to sustainable local seed business development. The country is transitioning from a humanitarian / relief seed sector to an informal seed sector with efforts formalizing these informal actors. The proposed activity will test model(s) which are built on market-led options that incentivize farmers to buy quality seed that is locally produced and sourced. The seed system in Burundi is mainly informal, dominated by local market, farm-saved, and emerging farm-based seed entrepreneurs, with no single seed company in the bean sector.

Beans are an important legume for food security in Burundi and a major source of income for smallholder farmers, particularly women. The Bean Programme of the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (UISABU) in partnership with ABC-PABRA, has released farmer-preferred and consumer demanded and climate-smart bean varieties in the last couple years. ISABU and ABC-PABRA, in partnership with development organizations, are supporting local seed producers (individual and groups) to produce seed and carry out demand creation to promote of these new varieties. However, these producers still face challenges of unreliable markets and poor connection with farmers. Interventions to incentivize farmers to use quality seed of improved varieties will depend on linking farmers to profitable grain bean markets, which pull the bean varieties.

Description: The proposed activity will explore market opportunities, develop and test appropriate seed business models adapted for a transitional country like Burundi. The approach aims to accelerate rollout of new improved varieties from research stations by connecting farm-based seed enterprises to emerging local markets.

Within Burundi, S34D will focus on the northern (Ngozi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga) eastern (Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Rutana), and Central (Muramvya, Karusi and Gitega) parts of the country, targeting new

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and improved farmer-preferred and market-demanded bean varieties, namely: CODMLB003, RWR2245, MAC44 and Kinure-1. This activity is will support 30 farm-based seed enterprises (at least 10 of them led by women) to multiply seed and link them to local markets. The activity will further link this with seed producing groups CRS-Burundi has worked with in the Muyinga province. The model would help connect the farm-based enterprises with farmers producing grain demanded by off-takers (local traders and markets) so the demand-pull mechanisms will ensure sustainable seed production of these varieties over time. As part of the model, S34D will use data-driven economic analyses and rapid market assessments to derive profit thresholds and cost benchmarks, and potential rate-of-returns for these seed enterprises with gender and structure differentiation. S34D will also include implications for bridging gaps between policy and practice including availability of parental materials to farmers and seed certification processes.

The outputs will be at least 4 new and improved bean varieties rolled out in partnership with 30 farm-based enterprises (of which 10 are led by women); benefit/risks analyses comparing various seed enterprise typologies produced, at least one farm based enterprise business model developed; one final report produced (finalized and disseminated) explaining the entire model along with implications for seed regulations, availability of parent materials, seed policies, and emergency seed provisioning practices.

IR 2.2 Strengthened interface and collaboration between development and relief to resilient and market-based seed systems

Sub IR 2.2.2 Emergency and humanitarian responses that link relief to development,

especially links to private sector and formal and biodiverse suppliers are developed and

promoted.

NEW Activity 2.2.2.1 Design seed vouchers & fairs (SVFs) for resilience and/or long-term programming (core). Justification: S34D reviews conducted in FY20 reveal that seed vouchers & fairs (SVFs), and Diversity for Nutrition and Enhanced Resilience (DiNER) fairs can be used to support last mile seed provisioning, and can potentially enhance market linkages when implemented as part of longer-term interventions. SVFs were originally designed as an emergency intervention, but SVF programming is very flexible and can be adapted to meet different objectives. The supply-side objectives (whether short-term or long-term objectives) are often not clearly defined at the outset, and insufficient attention is taken to adapt the SVF design or take alternative methods to enable farmers to access seed, to match the priorities within a specific context. SVFs are increasingly used as part of longer-term programming, often in response to recurrent drought, as in Malawi, Madagascar and Zambia, and/or within USAID’s Food for Peace Development Food Security Activities (DFSAs),3 as in Uganda. Building on the FY20 DiNER studies, S34D will learn from experienced SVF agrodealers and relevant CRS Country Programs to identify how the SVF model can be modified over time (e.g. 5 years) or alternative seed supply methods developed to support the emergence of a sustainable, market-based seed system. This activity will contribute to resilience-building among farmers by proposing and testing ways in which farmers can access quality seed of improved varieties. It will contribute to resilient seed systems by proposing and testing ways for building capacity at market and economic system levels. The broader context in which the activity is situated is characterized by recurrent shocks and chronic stressors (e.g. extreme weather events, climate change, pest infestation, pandemics, conflict, insecurity and economic crisis) requiring that the seed systems are able to adapt and transform to withstand these shocks and stresses.

3 DFSAs are typically implemented over five years, making it possible to adjust the SVF model over time as market linkages are developed and capacity is enhanced.

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Description: This activity will focus at the interface between relief and development, where relief or recovery interventions (i.e. SVFs or DiNER fairs) are implemented in the same project area over multiple consecutive years and/or as part of longer-term resilience and/or developmental programs. The broader context might involve recurrent natural disasters such as drought and/or flood and/or a transition from conflict and instability to peace and security. In such contexts, it is likely that the formal seed sector is weak or non-existent, and that greater agricultural gains can be achieved by developing alternative, yet sustainable, market-based seed provisioning system that allows smallholder farmers to access quality seed of appropriate improved varieties. The activity will identify ways in which the SVF/DiNER model can be modified over time (e.g. 5 years) to build capacity within the seed sector to support the emergence of a sustainable, market-based seed system that offers quality affordable seeds to smallholder male and female farmers. The activity will be undertaken in three phases: (1) scoping, contextual characterization, and review of existing data4; (2) primary data collection5 and development of multi-year actionable plans6 and standardized M&E tools appropriate to different contexts; and, (3) implementation and testing of the plans through existing DFSA(s) or other program(s). Phase 3 (to be funded and implemented through an appropriate DFSA, with appropriate backstopping support and/or services provided by S34D partners) will continue into FY22.

CRS’ Agriculture Fairs and Vouchers manual provides extensive guidance on integrating gender into fairs. This guidance will be considered when modifying the SVF/DiNERs model in strengthening its approach to support a sustained market-based seed system that offers quality, affordable seeds to male and female smallholder farmers. All phases of the activity will incorporate a gender, youth and PWD lens. The multi-year actionable plans will integrate ideas that capitalize on gender, youth and PWD-related opportunities as well as actions, as appropriate to this seed system model, to mitigate barriers that impede their active participation and benefit from their role as seed entrepreneurs in this adapted model. The actionable plans will specifically consider the roles of women, youth and PWD seed entrepreneurs involved in SVF/DiNERs as it transitions to a sustainable, market-based seed system. Outputs: Scoping report, supplement to the CRS Agriculture Fairs and Vouchers manual, including standardized M&E tools for assessing SVF/DiNER interventions, and at least one multi-year actionable plan7 appropriate to a specific context. These will be completed by Q3 of FY21.

4 The first phase will include a review of recent CRS fair / DiNER programming and additional analysis of data compiled as part of the earlier Southern Africa DiNER fair study, including updates from CRS Country Program staff where necessary. 5 Data will be collected from experienced SVF vendors by CRS Country Program staff who have been involved in SVF/DiNER implementation. 6 These plans will be developed from the outputs of the SVF vendor workshops and through brainstorming by S34D partners and relevant CRS Program staff with SVF experience. 7 It is hoped that the actionable plan will be tested through a new or on-going DFSA or an appropriate CRS Country Program intervention. In this case, a detailed design and implementation plan (including technical support and monitoring from S34D experts) will be developed for implementation in FY22 and beyond.

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NEW Activity 2.2.2.2 Support the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed sectors in fragile states, e.g. in DRC, South Sudan, Burundi (core). Justification: The formal seed sector is either weak or non-existent in fragile states,8 and formal sector models are either not profitable /viable in on-going economic and/or political crises such as such as DRC, South Sudan, Burundi, etc. Current approaches to emergency seed provisioning aim to support farmers with access to seed in the short-term; however, this often does little to support seed systems long-term. Agencies working in fragile states need guidance in designing seed interventions that are consistent with USAID’s resilience agenda and appropriate to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The activity will contribute to resilience-building among farmers by proposing ways in which farmers in fragile states can access quality seed of appropriate varieties. It will contribute to resilient seed systems by proposing models for the (re-)establishment of new, more robust seed systems. Fragile states are characterized by conflict, insecurity and economic crisis (in addition to natural disasters and pandemics), requiring that the seed systems are able to adapt and transform to withstand these shocks and stresses. The interventions that will be proposed must necessarily bridge the divide between humanitarian and development assistance to ensure that short-term, emergency seed interventions do not undermine longer-term development objectives within seed systems.

Description: This activity will explore and develop models for the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed systems in fragile contexts. The models will encompass aspects of formal, informal and emergency seed sectors and explore how these three components can work to support and strengthen each other. Following a broad literature review of seed interventions in fragile settings (funded by OFDA core), S34D partners will adopt a case study approach to document lessons from seed interventions in three fragile contexts, including the respective funding modalities and implementing partners involved. The case studies will explore gender, youth and PWD aspects feeding into an inclusive synthesis report. The proposed models will integrate ideas that capitalize on gender, youth and PWD-related opportunities as well as suggestions for specific actions to mitigate barriers that impede their active participation and benefit as seed entrepreneurs and/or seed users, as appropriate. The output will be a synthesis paper containing proposed models based on global case studies and key stakeholder consultations, completed by Q4 of FY21.

8 USAID’s definition of fragile states refers to a broad range of failing, failed, and recovering states that are unable or unwilling to adequately assure the provision of security and basic services to significant portion of their populations and where the legitimacy of the governments is in question. Approximately 70% of USAID assistance goes to countries that are considered to be fragile states (https://www.state.gov/americas-interests-in-fragile-states-targeting-foreign-assistance-for-strategic-prevention/).

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Sub IR 2.2.3 Emergency and development seed programs to capture market opportunities are leveraged.

NEW Activity 2.2.3.1 Develop and test market-based emergency seed security interventions (core). Justification: Market-based programming is becoming increasingly popular in the humanitarian sector. Yet, except for voucher-based approaches, cash transfers and broader market-based interventions represent a very new approach to emergency seed programming. This activity follows on from the earlier S34D reviews of market-based emergency seed interventions. The review of supply-side interventions9 highlighted a gap in interventions that are based on informal seed markets; the proposed activity aims to fill this gap by transferring lessons from the S34D yellow bean study. The review of demand-side interventions10 found that there is potential to expand the use of cash transfers for seed security. Within the humanitarian sector, cash transfers are now a major part of almost every humanitarian response.11 The proposed response options will identify ways in which the resilience of both formal and informal seed markets can be enhanced. The practical application of the interventions will help to build resilience among smallholder farmers affected by disasters by allowing them to access appropriate, quality seed for planting to maintain their livelihoods.

Description: This activity will be undertaken through two sub-activities, (1) to develop supply-side interventions; and, (2) to compile an updated practice review of cash transfers for seed security and lessons emerging. It is then hoped that at least one intervention will be tested as part of an emergency intervention financed through alternative (non-S34D) funds. In sub-activity 1, S34D partners will combine their expertise to expand the framework developed by Walsh & Sperling (2020) and put forward a range of market-based supply-side response options. Selected response options will be elaborated by drawing on S34D lessons and experience from the recent Yellow Bean study, from IFDC’s own work with agrodealers, and from OI’s experience with financial services relating to seed markets.

In sub-activity 2, an updated practice review of cash transfers for seed security will be drafted based on experiences since the completion of the earlier review by Keane et al (2019), including inputs from gFSC partners in the Agriculture Working Group and Cash and Markets Working Group. Opportunities for testing and further developing both supply-side and demand-side (cash transfer) interventions will be identified through on-going engagement with the CRS Humanitarian Response Department (specifically the Market-Based Response for Relief and Recovery Team), the CRS Markets in Crises Community of Practice, and the gFSC. A detailed implementation plan for testing and monitoring a selected intervention, including the roles and responsibilities of the partners involved, will be drafted on a needs basis.

Women play vital roles within informal seed markets, whether as farmers who produce, purchase or exchange seed of specific crops, or as traders who purchase, store and sell potential seed. In some contexts, youth also play an important role as last mile providers. The expanded framework and the actionable plans will consider gender and age-based roles, opportunities and barriers that might support or prevent women, youth and/or PWD in being involved as seed entrepreneurs in these models. Outputs include an expanded framework for market-based emergency seed security

9 ‘Review of Practice and Possibilities for Market-led Interventions in Emergency Seed Security Response’ by Stephen Walsh and Louise Sperling. See https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WPBN.pdf 10 ‘Study on cash transfers for seed security in humanitarian settings’ by Jules Keane, Dina Brick and Louise Sperling. See https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WH2D.pdf 11 The total amount of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) has doubled since 2016, from $2.8Bn to $5.6Bn in 2019. (CaLP, 2020)

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interventions and 2 or 3 actionable plans for specific interventions (relating to the first sub-activity), and a practice review of cash transfers for seed security. These will be completed by Q4 of FY21.

New Activity 2.2.3.2. Assess the role of market pull to enhance resilience of seed supply and respond to emergency needs under informal seed systems in South and North Kivu in DRC (core). Justification: While it is difficult to 'predict' emergency response, it is possible to have a set of strategies that ensure ease of seed access to smallholder farmers in crisis states. The informal seed system is dominant in the DRC, a country affected by multiple challenges i.e. conflict, disease and pests. There is limited understanding on how these markets function during crises and limited understanding on their capacity to ensure seed supply to farmers. Better understanding these markets will assist informal traders through variety information and training support to be at the forefront in delivering seed of improved varieties to farmers affected by disasters. The yellow bean study in Tanzania has shown opportunities to accelerate and grow grain markets if farmers can access quality seed. The grain/commodity traders continue to play a crucial role when it comes to potential seed production and supply, particularly for legumes. The activity intends to increase resilience of the populations to increase production and productivity of key crops, using the market pull for the preferred varieties. This increased production will also provide sufficient food and planting materials that humanitarian services can use to provide aid based on improved materials. Understanding of how many markets can contribute to the resilience of the people and their seed supply system will inform policy and practice to support recovery in the country. A few private sector, innovative actors are involved in seed supply (particularly maize), such as NASECO, that use technology to support seed sales for local production and market sales. Although the public sector is not as strong as in Tanzania, there are local NARS actors who can be support generating basic seed to strengthen grain markets. Given the limited government and private sector roles, there is a greater level of emergency and NGO support to the agricultural sector, which provides options to develop new business models that support these three actors in providing more market supportive investments.

Description: This activity will use the approach developed in Tanzania during the yellow bean study to identify opportunities for traders and local seed actors in South and North Kivu in the DRC to target specific seeds (legume and cassava) that can be linked to grain markets. ABC-PABRA will explore the seed to commodity market opportunities in the Kivu region and will leverage its network of local partners and its country office in collecting information and gathering data on the role of the major informal traders and local seed producers, and how these are linked with NGOs working in both development and humanitarian roles. In this activity, ABC-PABRA will assess how markets and/or resilience efforts and local stakeholders influence the seed supply system, and how to strengthen these markets sustainably. The activity will study the seed supply systems and opportunities for improvement in situations where markets and emergency exist side by side, and then generate business / investment options to enhance the capacity of the informal seed system to respond to market and crises demands for farmers and other actors. A gender, youth and PWD lens will be used to assess the seed system, guide opportunities for improvements and business and investment options. In these households, youth and PWDs could also be beneficiaries of a stable supply of seed in either emergency or recovery contexts. For the actors involved in seed provision, an understanding of the seed needs without bias on any of the categories listed above is beneficial. CRS’ Impact Investing team (through cost share) will review and provide input for the investment briefs for the private sector and explore options for catalytic financing to invest directly into aligned seed producers and traders. The output

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of the activity is one report on roles of informal seed sector actors in strengthening interface between development and relief-to-resilience seed systems. Mixed modes of delivery, i.e. workshops, webinars etc. will be used to disseminate the findings. This activity will be completed in Q3-Q4 of FY21.

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Cross-cutting IR 1 and 2. Policy and Information Flow

The activities that follow under this section apply to formal, informal and EHAR components. These include policy and regulatory activities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Benin and Myanmar, and innovative feedback mechanisms through digital technologies in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

CCIR-1 Improved effective policy implementation and regulatory formulation for pluralistic seed systems

CCIR 1.1 Develop country specific seed policy road maps

Mission Funded Activity CCIR 1.1.1 Develop and compare regulatory system maps in Ethiopia (Mission). Justification: Ethiopia’s policy, legal, and regulatory system is in a period of transition. A new Seed Policy was reportedly approved earlier this year and a new Seed Proclamation is at an advanced stage of government approval. When the new proclamation passes, as with any new law, new regulations will also need to be developed.

Publicly available seed regulatory system maps will increase transparency and enable private sector players to navigate the in-country regulations and compliance with national policies. New entrants to the sector often face obstacles such as delays and transaction costs to understand the processes and needs. Such legal guides and maps will help decrease such costs and increase ease of doing businesses in Ethiopia. Maps will be developed for current laws and the proposed ones (which are yet to be made public) for the following dimensions:

• public varietal research, development, and transfer;

• seed dealer and venue registration;

• seed variety registration and release;

• plant variety protection;

• seed certification and quality assurance, and;

• anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection.

Description: CRS will lead this activity with New Markets Lab (NML) and a national partner within Ethiopia (TBD). The national partner will maintain and update the regulatory maps after completion of the activity. This partnership / arrangement is ideal to utilize NML’s expertise and products, while simultaneously embedding the maps through national partners for sustainability purposes.

In addition to producing the maps, S34D will compare the maps across two versions – old laws and new laws, and illustrate where processes have been simplified, and where this research can further reduce complexities. In order to help raise awareness of the change in rules and procedures that are underway, NML will develop two side-by-side sets of Regulatory Systems Maps, depicting key regulatory measures and processes (public varietal research, development, and transfer; seed dealer and venue registration; seed variety registration and release; plant variety protection; seed certification and quality assurance; anti-counterfeiting and consumer protection; and cross-border and regional trade measures), with one set showing rules and procedures under the old system and another depicting the new seed regulatory system. Taken together, these Regulatory Systems Maps will serve as a tool to assist stakeholders’ access and interpretation of the legal and regulatory system, which will be particularly important as it changes. This comparative analysis will provide a benchmark to measure all future changes in seed sector through quantitative and qualitative economic analyses. Over time, these maps could also help evaluate challenges and successes in

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implementation of rules and regulations. In addition, this activity will explore and note the representation of women actors in the seed regulatory systems. The maps will be developed based on desk research (utilizing NML’s experience and comparative database), consultation, and in-country validation. The outputs of this activity are six seed system regulatory maps developed and disseminated through print and digital formats and shared through webinars and in the public domain of seed regulatory system maps for Ethiopia. This activity will be completed in Q4 of FY21.

CCIR 1.2 Practices to expand and liberalize seed quality possibilities are implemented and developed; market outlets and venues expanded; counterfeit seed issues addressed; free seed distribution restricted.

NEW Activity CCIR 1.2.1 Compare seed clubs and QDS Producers: South-South Learning; compare with Niger Federation of millet growers (core). Justification: There is a need for more flexible seed quality assurance mechanisms that bridge gaps between formal and informal seed systems, and increase the supply of quality seeds for a range of crop varieties. This diversification is a necessity for resilient seed systems. Scaled up QDS options can bridge gaps between formal and informal seed systems in SSA countries where QDS is recognized legally. This would increase quality seed for multiple crops in local markets. This activity will build upon the market-led interventions report findings and aims to learn from successful examples12 that have scaled farmer seed production techniques; connect with research centers in the formal sector; and, suggest recommendations on how to improve and scale QDS seed production in SSA.

Description: This global study (with Oxfam Novib and key stakeholder interviews) will draw on lessons learned from operational efficiencies of Vietnam seed clubs and the seed policy and regulatory environment that enabled successes of these clubs; and, compare those with the QDS producers in SSA (such as Uganda, Tanzania) and Niger federation of millet growers. This global study will explore the inclusiveness of these clubs and their application to QDS producers. It will investigate the representation of women, male/female youth and PWD in the clubs, as well as gender, age and disability-related barriers and opportunities these clubs faced. The objective is to compare the following:

• Seed quality assurance mechanisms (formal and informal);

• Operational efficiencies and management practices affecting quality assured seeds;

• Role of sub-national and local governments in support groups to gain technical expertise required to inspect and ascertain quality of seeds produced (formal and informal), and;

• How inclusive are clubs and producer groups? Explore roles for women and youth.

S34D will compare the seed clubs with QDS producers because QDS is an alternative quality assurance mechanism practiced by many countries in SSA. The learnings from the global South-South study (on the above dimensions) will enable us to understand the flexibilities in seed regulatory systems that have worked successfully to bridge gaps between formal and informal seed systems. The audience is national governments, institutions, and partners in countries who have

12 In 1996, SEARICE (South East Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment) developed the Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation (CBDC) program which formed seed clubs. These seed clubs in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam produced 360 farmer-developed rice seed varieties, of which five are certified as national seeds. More info:

https://www.searice.org.ph/cbdc-bucap

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QDS as an option. The lessons will be shared with policymakers and regional players such as AGRA’s PIATA. The output is one evidence-based global seed policy brief developed, disseminated and dialogue facilitated with regional and global stakeholders through S34D seed policy and regulatory community-of-practice. This activity will be completed in Q3 of FY21.

Continue from FY20 - Activity CCIR 1.2.3 Implement and pilot Standard Seed Protocol in Kenya (core). Justification: Historically, seed certification has leaned heavily toward applying stringent measures that suit hybrid crops (namely maize) to all crops. This has made production of non-hybrid self-pollinating crops overly expensive and unattractive for seed companies’ investment. However, non-maize crops are essential for meeting nutritional needs, ensuring crop rotation and meeting food security. Standard certified seed is a less onerous level of certification which is suited to many of these non-hybrid crops, and can bridge the gap between stringent and punitive application of seed certification for non-hybrid crops. It also allows seed producers, including informal producers such as farmer groups, to expand profitably into formal seed production. Standard certified seed can serve as a global tool for other countries interested in moving beyond the informal sector, or the QDS sector (QDS is not certified and is also limited to very local distribution) through lessons learned in this prototype. This activity will interact closely with the informal sector, e.g. producers of informal cuttings of cassava and sweet potato vines may wish to register as formal sector producers of planting materials for these crops.

The crops for which seed will be produced under Standard certified seed are drought tolerant crops, crops high in nutrition content such as legumes, and crops that are highly valued by women. In addition, having a larger number of producers of freshly certified planting material for crops under Standard certification will improve availability of these crops during difficult times, and can ultimately catalyze behavior change in farmers so that they recycle seed for fewer generations than at present, and refresh their planting material on a more regular basis, which will contribute to lower levels of crop disease, improved vigor, and higher crop yields. It is to be noted that this type of seed certification class has not been tried in SSA countries, and the closest country to this type of approach is South Africa, which has a very high level of sophisticated farmers. Standard certified seed, if implemented well, is likely to catalyze a significant increase in volumes of non-hybrid crop seed in implementing countries.

Description: Building from the development of standard seed protocols in Kenya in FY20, the activity will seek to pilot standard certified seed with at least three seed companies and one women’s group of seed producers in Q1 and 2 of FY21, document lessons and take corrective measures where needed. S34D will support at least one women’s seed producing group to be registered as a formal seed producer, and hence enable the group to produce formal standard certified seed. By including a women seed producing group, S34D will be able to learn how a women-run seed group transitioned from informal to formal, and come up with lessons for how to support female-run formal sector seed companies. The draft protocols currently cover ten crops: cowpea, green grams, soybean, groundnut, common bean (grown in dry locations), OPV sorghum, finger millet, cassava, sweet potato. At least four out of the ten crops will be selected for piloting. Many informal groups that produce the target crops are women’s groups, and for some crops where youth groups are also well-represented. Formalizing informal groups into bona fide Standard certified seed producers will bring more women and youth into formal sector seed production and distribution. The activity will actively seek to engage youth and PWD in pilot activities, and will monitor and keep a proper record of those who start producing and/or selling standard seed. Outputs: One inclusive seed policy dialogue on standard certified seed protocols and standards facilitated with S34D assistance; and,

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one evidence-based seed policy brief from the results of the pilot that includes at least 4 crops. This activity will be completed by Q2 of FY21. CCIR 1.3 Linkages and coordination of seed development efforts through consolidation of data and evidence are strengthened

NEW Activity CCIR 1.3.1 Develop policy brief on seed registry in Benin (core). Justification: Benin is the only African country with a register for traditional varieties. Benin has three different categories of varieties listed in its national register: (1) newly bred varieties that conform to Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) of Agricultural Crops and Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS); (2) DUS varieties (but not necessarily VCU); and, (3) traditional varieties (the only national registry in Africa with traditional varieties). Such traditional varieties must be identifiable, and not conform to DUS nor VCU. The national partner Institut Nationnal des Recherches Agricoles du Benin (INRAB) identifies and registers varieties. The National Registry Commission successfully registered the traditional varieties in 2015 in the CaBEV.13 This activity aims to understand the rationale, political history, laws and processes of how the registry functions, and understand flexibility and use among various seed systems. S34D will assess the benefits of a registry for farmer varieties and how to facilitate and bridge gaps between formal and informal seed systems.

Description: S34D will explore how the variety categories were developed for Benin and how the three categories are currently used. S34D will assess the flexibility that Benin has (like other European nations) and how this flexibility supports the formal and informal seed systems and their actors. Exploring use cases, S34D will review roles of men and women stakeholders (farmers and seed system actors). CRS will conduct this activity in close collaboration with CORAF and INRAB. The audience is the government of Benin, AGRA, national partners; donor partners; and, policy think-tanks. The output of this activity is an evidence-based seed policy brief containing implications on bridging gaps in formal and informal seed systems, and recommendations for other countries in SSA. S34D will disseminate findings through the S34D Global South-South Seed policies and Regulatory Practices Community of Practice (learning platform). This activity will be completed in Q3 of FY21.

NEW Activity CCIR 1.3.2 Assess and evaluate the policy and regulatory barriers with specific stress (saline-drought) tolerant varieties in Myanmar (core). Justification: Nutrient-dense, drought-tolerant varieties provide farmers with resilient technologies that enable production in areas prone to shocks, and droughts. Adding sustainable and viable linkages from research-to-farm builds transformative capacity in local communities and within market systems. However, there are policy and regulatory bottlenecks that stymie dissemination and scaling of these adapted varieties from the research centers onto the farmers’ fields. This leads to low rates of adoption of new and improved varieties by farmers.

Description: S34D will assess and evaluate barriers with ICRISAT who developed drought-tolerant nutrient-dense varieties and private sector players (scaling partners), facilitate discussions with government and policymakers with the goal to develop public-private partnerships and business

13 “Commentary on the registration of traditional varieties in Benin”. Vodouhe & Halewood. Chapter 26. Farmers’ Crop Varieties and Farmers’ Rights. 2016. Bioversity International. https://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/user_upload/online_library/publications/pdfs/Farmers_Crop_Varieties_and_Rig

hts/26.BeninRegistration-Vodouhe_Halewood.pdf

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plans to assist in accelerating the rollout of new varieties from research centers onto farmers’ fields. S34D will focus on crop-technologies for Myanmar’s domestic market and last mile beneficiaries, specifically for green gram and two drought-tolerant nutrient-dense legume crops (chickpea, groundnut). The geographic focus or Zone of Influence (ZoI) for this scope is the Dry Zone (Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay) and Shan State. Within this scope, S34D will:

• review the current and potential roles (to facilitate deployment) for – private sector, national, regional and local government institutions;

• review and assess linkages between seed producers and farmers at the last-mile;

• examine barriers and opportunities to link seed system actors with smallholders at the last mile (data and information will be sex and age disaggregated)

• explore role of women, their preferences and technical capacities, as well as youth opportunities.

S34D will partner with ISSD Myanmar (WCDI) as they are selected as the seed sector coordinator by the government of Myanmar, and S34D will leverage their presence and human/political capital to establish relationships with the government. Working with partners the activity will facilitate the movement of technologies from research labs to farmers’ fields – learnings on policy, regulations, and practices that enable or hinder the movement. Create a learning portfolio on seed enabling environment (policy and regulatory framework) to foster South-South collaboration. The outputs of this activity are two road maps/sustainable business plans for climate-smart varieties developed, validated, and disseminated; two regional and one national policy dialogues facilitated; and at least two partnerships advanced / forged leading to MoUs between different stakeholders. This activity will be completed in Q4 of FY21.

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CCIR-2 Established enhanced quality information flows for seed systems CCIR 2.2 Tools and technologies to capture quality information about seed supply in a geo-referenced manner are developed.

Mission Funded Activity CCIR 2.2.1 Develop forage informatic dashboard using seed data and metrics and a policy brief on forage seed systems in Ethiopia (Mission). Justification: Forages play a catalytic role in bridging gaps between crop and livestock sub-sectors. Increased livestock productivity is key for adapting and absorbing recurrent weather related shocks and working towards building a transformative capacity in the long term for geographies with high livestock population and where continuous crop production is not viable. Research shows the increased importance of cultivated forages in reaching livestock productivity potentials. Therefore, research and development partners, private sector investors, and governments need to understand trends in the forage sub-sector to invest in appropriate areas that enable inclusive agricultural transformation. More information about this less explored area will support discussions around making the right decisions and enable effective measurements to gauge developments. None of the existing seed indices – TASAI, ASI, and EBA focus solely on forage seeds, which are very different from crop seeds and less studied. As such, an objective of this activity is to fill in this gap.

Description: Develop a framework to summarize forage seed data and informatics so decision-makers and policy makers could assess whether cultivated forage seed subsector is progressing to achieve the set targets. CRS with ABC-PABRA will develop the framework in consultation with national partners. The framework will then be populated for Ethiopia forage seed subsector. Socialize and vet with national partners and policymakers and incorporate the feedback to produce the first draft. The framework itself (a global good) can be contextualized for other countries where livestock and cultivated forages play a role, such as South Sudan. Our goal is to serve stakeholders with the informatics that aid with such decision-making. As much as possible, data and information will be disaggregated by sex and age (wherever applicable).

Furthermore, S34D will develop a Policy Brief on cultivated forages in Ethiopia. The policy brief will comprise the policy implications uncovered during the FY20 studies and help facilitate discussions among various stakeholders. The outputs of this activity are a forage-seed informatic tool digitized and shared in the public domain, and one policy brief on forage seed subsector to facilitate dialogues among stakeholders. This activity will be completed in Q3 of FY21.

Mission Funded Activity CCIR 2.2.2 Test out recommendations from FY20 technical roadmap, in select zones (10-15) in Ethiopia (Mission). Justification: In FY20, CRS developed a technical road map for demand forecasting in Ethiopia. This activity will continue to work in this domain by taking a select set of diverse agroecological zones to test out the systemic recommendations and linkages that will emerge from the technical road map, so that some of them can be validated, tested, and used to refine the final set of suggested pathways for subsequent implementation.

Description: This activity is a logical follow-up based on FY20 activity (and discussions with national partners). This is a global good even though S34D will test and evaluate this in Ethiopia. The learnings on methods and approaches from this study can be extrapolated, contextualized and applied in other geographies. CRS will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Regional Bureau of Agriculture (RBoA), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Development Agents (Das), Farmer Cooperatives and Unions and Central Statistical Agency (CSA). S34D will collect gender disaggregated information and assess where there are gaps in such information flows. The data

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inventory maps that will be developed as part of this process will include information about sex and age disaggregates. The output of this activity is an augmented methodology and framework at the systemic level to conduct seed demand / market forecasting in Ethiopia – combining micro-level, data from satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, household surveys, and census data. Globally, these outputs can contribute to discussions amongst leaders on methodology and frameworks through the seed policy and regulatory community-of-practice. This activity will be completed in Q4 of FY21.

Mission Funded Activity CCIR 2.2.3 COVID-19 sub-regional seed assessment alerts in Ethiopia (Mission). Justification: The COVI-19 pandemic has disrupted normal operations at every level. For seed systems, this means supply chains, markets, seed quality inspections, and mobility of planting material by traders are all disrupted. Several organizations and initiatives have conducted COVID-19 alerts for seed systems and published guidelines with implications for seed systems.14

Description: The objective of the S34D seed sector alerts is aligned to those assessments that are developed at the national level by the ISSD Ethiopia. However, given the diversity in agro-ecological zones within Ethiopia, it is necessary to conduct assessments at a sub-national / regional level to garner more details on developments on-the-ground. The topics that will be covered will include (but not limited to): constraints on seed processing and distribution; constraints to mobility for seed production; constraints surrounding difficulties that may arise on coordination to supply EGS; coordination difficulties to conduct seed inspection to guarantee quality seeds in the market (therefore increasing the risk for counterfeit seeds); mobility amongst traders and retailers to supply “potential seeds” and grains in the local market; attitude and behavior of farm households towards grain consumption and seed/potential planting material storage facilities; and, disturbances in the value chains and local markets due to COVID-19 restrictions. To minimize duplication and maximize synergy across Ethiopian national partners, S34D will collaborate with ATA, EIAR, and ISSD-Ethiopia. Furthermore, S34D will coordinate data collection efforts and leverage on-the-ground contacts with CRS’ Ethiopia country staff. The survey template to collect information will be developed in a collaborative manner, and dissemination in real-time will be utilized. Outputs: three sub-national COVID-19 seed assessments with implications for short and medium-term interventions and implementation guidelines for development partners. CCIR 2.3 Last mile markets for new and quality-assured seed varieties are enabled by developing, piloting, adapting, and scaling feed-forward and feedback mechanisms that loop farmers’ preferences, as well as provide information on new varieties and quality assured seed15

Continue from FY20 - CCIR 2.3.1 (1.2.4.1): Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core). In collaboration with ABC-PABRA, S34D (CRS) will collect feedback from at least 100 customers on adoption and preference patterns for biofortified bean varieties in Makueni and Machakos Counties in Eastern Kenya markets for the second time and second season. The customer database will be gender and geospatially disaggregated using the point of sales application developed in FY19.

14 https://seedsystem.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/COVID-19-and-Seed-Security-1.pdf https://fscluster.org/covid19_twg/document/guidance-emergency-seed-interventions https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-Institutes/centre-for-development-innovation/Our-Value-Propositions/Guiding-Sector-Transformation/The-effects-of-COVID-19-on-food-systems-rapid-assessments.htm https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/feed-africa-response-covid-19-brief 15 All the feedback mechanisms established will be gender-sensitive, in terms of content analysis as well access and reach to ICT, for a last mile buyer, considering the challenges faced by female clientele.

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Please find broader activity description under activity 1.2.4.1 The outputs for this portion of the activity are the digital application of the Point-of-Sale model and the number of feeds received (at least 100).

Continue from FY20 - Activity CCIR 2.3.2: Pilot SMS-based farmer feedback loop on seed quality, known as Stop Bad Seed (Ripoti Mbegu Isiyo Bora - RIMI) in Tanzania (core). Justification: Tanzania is focusing on getting more farmers to adopt certified seed to increase their crop yields. This is evidenced by the steady, significant increases in annual volumes of certified seed of staple crops. RIMI allows the farmer, through a simple SMS platform, to give feedback to TOSCI about the quality of seed purchased, which closes the farmer-feedback loop between TOSCI, seed companies, agrodealers and the farmer. All necessary preparations for a radio campaign to carry out the activity were finalized in FY20, but could not be aired due to the regulator being cautious not to pass negative or conflicting messages during the election campaign period, which is a very sensitive period in the country. Giving farmers a platform to complain when they purchase low quality or fake seed closes the feedback loop of seed companies, agrodealers, farmers and the regulator. The regulator gets to know which seed company’s variety is a problem or from which point of purchase farmers bought the seed. Therefore, the regulator can monitor and take appropriate legal action where unscrupulous seed companies and agrodealers are concerned. In turn, farmers will have more confidence in investing in quality seed as they will have a mechanism to complain when served with low quality or fake seed. Increased adoption of quality seed by farmers leads to resilience.

The RIMI model can be adopted into other countries that would like to receive direct feedback of farmer seed purchase experiences. This platform also serves as a deterrent for rogue seed merchants, when they know that farmers are able to report them for selling substandard seed. By making the regulator more sensitive to farmers’ feedback, and also making farmers more sensitive to the importance of seed quality, it will encourage farmers to adopt quality assured seed, thereby moving from informal to formal seed supply.

Description: this activity is a continuation from FY20. The activity could not be completed because the RIMI campaign was delayed by the government due to the upcoming election. To finalize this activity for which investments have been made in the prior year, S34D (Agri Experience) facilitate actual campaigns to be carried out and analyze data from farmer responses. TOSCI staff will be coached on data analysis and possible uses. Women and PWD farmers in particular, who may find it difficult to return to an agrodealer shop due to other responsibilities or physical challenges, should now be able to access an easy, free, and functional tool to register complaints on seed quality. Due to the IT mechanism employed, youth farmers will also find it a logical way to provide feedback. Data will be collected on the sex, age and disability of the person submitting feedback to understand who is providing feedback. The analysis of this disaggregated data may identify nuances or issues related to age, gender and/or disability in seed quality. The output of this activity is a campaign during the short rains season, data collected and analyzed with TOSCI. S34D will track the number of feeds received as a result of the campaign and the actions that were taken by the government as a result of those feedbacks. This activity will be completed by Q4 of FY21.

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III. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activities

Brief overview of proposed activities

The proposed activities are largely global in nature where the findings and results are applicable in multiple contexts and geographies. Quite a few activities are focused on working with governments and national partners – examples are RIMI in Tanzania, Standard seed certification protocol in Kenya, seed system regulatory road maps and seed demand forecasting in Ethiopia, and the digital training platform in Zambia. Another set of activities are developing analytical tools, frameworks, proof-of-concepts, and data-driven business cases that provide potential solutions for creating and/or strengthening the interface between development and relief-to-resilient seed systems. Examples include several activities under EHAR portfolio, business plans in Tanzania and DRC, road maps for stress-tolerant variety disseminations in Myanmar, forage seed informatics dashboard in Ethiopia, and several evidence-based policy briefs (that intend to open dialogues among community stakeholders). The third major category of activities focus on capacity building (such as training of seed sector actors in Uganda) and piloting last mile solutions to supply quality, enhanced seed for a broader range of crop-variety combinations to smallholder farmers. Examples include last mile prototype and niche market models in Kenya.

The key principles used to develop these activities include:

- Wider range of geographies to reflect the “global” aspects of S34D activity;

- Options that build stronger interface between seed systems;

- Model and solutions that target market efficiency;

- Frameworks and analyses that contribute to resiliency at the last mile, and;

- Activities that are inclusive of gender and youth.

As evident from the above principles, the use-case values have been central to the development of activities, and the learning agenda for FY21. S34D has identified and stated the intended audience and stakeholder group for each activity. This has led to incubating a community-of-practice (CoP) for seed policy and regulatory issues to foster global South-South learning, as well as, disseminating our outputs via the CoP, Agrilinks, and other media. Finally, with activities covering countries outside of Africa, S34D is well-positioned to compare lessons across continents (as reflected in the learning agenda below).

Table 3 shows the list of proposed activities, geography, partners, outputs, and associated output and outcome indicators.

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Table 3. All activities, geography, partners, outputs, and associated output indicators.

Activity Geography

Partner Outputs Indicators and Targets Disaggregated targets (Sex, Age)

IR 1.1 Constraints in formal seed systems identified and mitigated

Sub IR 1.1.3 Capacities of local seed actors strengthened

1.1.3.1 (FY20 1.1.1.6) Digital training of seed inspectors and samplers in Zambia (core).

Zambia CRS and SCCI

60 seed inspectors trained (OUT-1) 1 digital platform developed for training and testing (OUT-6)

Number of seed actors trained (OUT-1) = 60 Number of tool-kits developed (OUT-6) = 1

By Sex: OUT-1: 16 female; 44 male seed inspectors. By Age: OUT-1: 12 inspectors <30 years, 48 inspectors aged 30+.

*Baselines for outcome indicator: Percent of S34D assisted organizations with improved performance (RES-1) is TBD

Sub IR 1.1.4 Sustainable models with private sector players to supply quality EGS and QDS to a range of suppliers piloted and scaled using innovative financing

1.1.4.1 Last mile prototype: micro-franchise model roll out in Kenya (core).

Kenya IFDC 30 bikers, 10 agrodealers, 100 farmers (OUT-1) 1 model prototyped (OUT-4)

Number of seed actors trained (OUT-1) = 140 Number of models (OUT-4) = 1

By Sex: OUT-1: 40 female actors trained; 100 male actors trained. By Age: OUT-1: 30 seed actors <30 years; 110 seed actors aged 30+.

*Baselines for outcome indicator: Percent of S34D assisted organizations with improved performance (RES-1) is TBD.

IR 1.2 Strengthened capacity of informal seed systems to offer a broader range of affordable, improved quality seed

Sub IR 1.2.4 Last mile delivery solutions through non-traditional partners and ICT strengthened

1.2.4.1 (CCIR 2.3.1) Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core).

Kenya PABRA Number of individuals participating (OUT-2) 1 Model validated (OUT-4) 1 Last mile seed policy dialogue facilitated with KEPHIS (OUT-11)

Number of individuals participating in the S34D Activity (OUT-2) = 200 Number of models (OUT-4) = 1 Number of inclusive seed policy specific dialogues facilitated (OUT-11) = 1

By Sex: OUT-2: 60 female participants; 140 male participants. By Age: OUT-2: 50 seed actors <30 years; 150 seed actors aged 30+.

*Values for outcome indicators: Number of individuals in the agricultural system who have applied improved practices, technologies, information, innovative models (G1); Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies (G2); Value of annual sales of producers and firms (RES-2); Volume of seed and / or grain (RES-3) are being calculated in FY21 Q1

IR 1.3 Strengthened capacity of emergency and humanitarian aid programs to respond effectively to acute and chronic stresses

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Sub IR 1.3.1 Select emergency and humanitarian past actions assessed: focus on farmer evaluation, new varieties, and markets (local and formal)

1.3.1.1 Participatory Impact Assessment of emergency seed interventions (OFDA core)

Global CRS At least two impact assessment reports (OUT-5)

Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria (OUT-5) = 2

Sub IR 1.3.3 Tools and Information Systems to frame Shock Responsive Models developed

1.3.3.1 Develop tools for rapid, remote seed security assessments (core).

Global PABRA, gFSC

1 Tool set validated (OUT-6) Number of tool-kits developed (OUT-6) = 1

IR 2.1 Strengthened interface and collaboration between formal and informal seed systems

Sub IR 2.1.3 Formal sector suppliers and NARs / breeders leveraged and linked with local farming communities and professionalized informal seed sellers

2.1.3.1 Establish farm-based bean seed enterprises in Burundi (OFDA core)

Burundi PABRA, CRS

One farm-based enterprise business model developed (OUT-4); One final report produced (finalized and disseminated) (OUT-5) Four new and improved bean varieties rolled out in partnership with 30 farm-based enterprises (of which 10 are led by women) linking the stakeholders with ISABU and output markets (OUT-7).

Number of models (OUT-4) = 1 Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria OUT-5) = 1 Number of stakeholders linked (OUT-7) = 30

By Sex: OUT-7: 10 female stakeholders linked; 20 male stakeholders linked. By Age: OUT-7: 7 stakeholders <30; 23 stakeholders aged 30+

*Baselines for outcome indicators: Number of individuals in the agricultural system who have applied improved practices, technologies, information, innovative models (G1); Number of hectares under improved management practices or technologies (G2); Value of annual sales of producers and firms (RES-2); Volume of seed and / or grain (RES-3); Number of partnerships formed and/or strengthened (RES-5) is TBD

Sub IR 2.1.4 Effects of market-based interventions on seed market operations and last mile delivery systems are assessed

IR 2.2 Strengthened interface and collaboration between development and relief to resilient and market-based seed systems

Sub IR 2.2.2 Emergency and humanitarian responses that link relief to development, especially links to private sector and formal and biodiverse suppliers are developed and promoted

2.2.2.1 Design seed vouchers & fairs (SVFs) for resilience and/or long-term programming (core).

Uganda, Global

CRS, IFDC, OI, PABRA

1 Report; 1 Tool (actionable plan and supplement to CRS’ Ag Fairs and Vouchers manual)

Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria (OUT-5) =1 Number of tool-kits developed (OUT-6) = 1

2.2.2.2 Support the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed sectors in fragile states (core).

Global CRS, IFDC, PABRA, AE, ISSD

1 Report Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria (OUT-5) = 1

Sub IR 2.2.3 Emergency and development seed programs to capture market opportunities are leveraged

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2.2.3.1 Develop and test market-based emergency seed security interventions (core).

Global CRS, IFDC, OI, PABRA

4 Toolkits developed (1 framework, 2 actionable plans, 1 guideline on cash transfers)

Number of tool-kits developed (OUT-6) = 4

2.2.3.2 Assess the role of market pull to enhance resilience of seed supply and respond to emergency needs under informal seed systems in South and North Kivu in DRC (core).

DRC PABRA 1 Report (OUT-5) on roles of informal seed sector actors in strengthening interface between Development and Relief-to-Resilience seed systems.

Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria (OUT-5) =1

CCIR-1 Improved effective policy implementation and regulatory formulation for pluralistic seed systems

CCIR 1.1 Country specific seed policy road maps developed

CCIR 1.1.1 Develop and compare regulatory system maps in Ethiopia (Mission).

Ethiopia NML, National Ethiopia partner TBD

6 seed system regulatory road maps Number of seed policy road maps developed (OUT-10) = 6

CCIR 1.2 Practices to expand and liberalize seed quality possibilities are implemented and developed; market outlets and venues expanded; counterfeit seed issues addressed; free seed distribution restricted

CCIR 1.2.1 Compare seed clubs and QDS Producers: South to South Learning; compare with Niger Federation of millet growers (core).

Global CRS, Oxfam-Novib

1 evidence-based seed policy brief Number of evidence-based seed policy briefings developed (OUT-12) = 1

CCIR 1.2.3 Implement and pilot of Standard Seed Protocol in Kenya (core).

Kenya AE 1 seed policy dialogue on standard certified seed protocols standards facilitated; 1 evidence-based seed policy brief from the results of the pilot that includes at least 4 crops

Number of inclusive seed policy specific dialogues facilitated (OUT-11) =1 Number of evidence-based seed policy briefings developed (OUT-12) = 1

CCIR 1.3 Linkages and coordination of seed development efforts through consolidation of data and evidence are strengthened

CCIR 1.3.1 Develop policy brief on seed registry in Benin (core).

Benin CRS 1 evidence-based seed policy brief Number of evidence-based seed policy briefings developed (OUT-12) = 1

CCIR 1.3.2 Assess and evaluate the policy and regulatory barriers with specific stress (saline-drought) tolerant varieties in Myanmar (core).

Myanmar CRS; WCDI Myanmar

2 partnerships formed (RES-5) 2 roadmaps/investment plans for 2 drought-tolerant nutrient-dense legume crop (OUT-10); 3 seed policy and regulatory dialogues facilitated (OUT-11)

Number of seed policy road maps developed (OUT-10) = 2

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Number of inclusive seed policy specific dialogues facilitated (OUT-11) = 3

Outcome Indicator: Number of partnerships formed and/or strengthened (RES-5) =2

CCIR 1.3.3 Create a Seed Regulations, Policies, and Practices Community-of-Practice to Foster Global South-South Learning

Global CRS, ISSD, Oxfam Novib, ABC

3 policy specific dialogues facilitated through the platform (OUT-11)

Number of inclusive seed policy specific dialogues facilitated (OUT-11) = 3

CCIR-2 Established enhanced quality information flows for seed systems

CCIR 2.2 Tools and technologies to capture quality information about seed supply in a geo-referenced manner are developed

CCIR 2.2.1 Develop forage informatic dashboard using seed data and metrics and a policy brief on forage seed systems in Ethiopia (Mission).

Ethiopia CRS, ABC 1 Policy brief (OUT-12) 1 Forage-seed informatic tool (OUT-14)

Number of evidence-based seed policy briefings developed (OUT-12) =1 Number of tools and technologies generated and / or augmented on seed supply and quality (OUT-14) = 1

CCIR 2.2.2 Test out recommendations from FY20 technical roadmap, in select woredas (10-15) in Ethiopia (Mission).

Ethiopia CRS 1 augmented methodology for pilot (OUT-14)

Number of tools and technologies generated and / or augmented on seed supply and quality (OUT-14) = 1

CCIR 2.2.3 COVID-19 sub-regional seed assessment alerts in Ethiopia (Mission).

Ethiopia CRS and National Partner

3 seed alerts (OUT-5) Number of studies that have fulfilled all criteria (OUT-5) = 3

CCIR 2.3 Last mile markets for new and quality-assured seed varieties are enabled by developing, piloting, adapting, and scaling feed-forward and feedback mechanisms that loop farmers’ preferences, as well as provide information on new varieties and quality assured seed

CCIR 2.3.1 (1.2.4.1) Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report to complete the pilot in Kenya (core).

Kenya CRS 100 feeds received (OUT-15) Number of feeds received and/or forwarded (OUT-15) = 100

CCIR 2.3.2 Pilot SMS-based farmer feedback loop on seed quality, known as Stop Bad Seed (Ripoti Mbegu Isiyo Bora - RIMI) in Tanzania (core).

Tanzania AE Number of feeds received and/or forwarded (OUT-15) Number of actions taken by the Tanzanian government as a result of the feedback (RES-7)

Number of feeds received and/or

forwarded (OUT-15) = TBD

Outcome indicator: Number of actions taken by seed sector actors based on feedback received and information made available (RES-7) = TBD

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Evaluative Learning

Although S34D started working on-the-ground only a little over a year ago (June 2019), FY21 is the third year of the S34D activity. Given these timelines, evaluative learning is the prime focus for S34D under MEL in FY21 (see Table 4 below).

Collaborative and Adaptive Approach:

o Each learning area will be led by a sectoral lead, with support from MELPAS staff. o Each learning agenda area should have a comprehensive learning brief evaluating

activities that contribute to that specific learning question. o Each brief produced at the end of FY21 should be between 10-12 pages. At the end of

FY21, S34D will share 5 evaluative learning reports. o This is a very collaborative approach that will engage CRS staff as well as consortium

partners. o Time for these leads will be included in the budget specifically for producing these briefs. o S34D will hold a learning meeting every 2-3 months, but follow up on each learning area

every month separately. o The FY21 learning agenda will be linked with past S34D activities as well (to show an

overarching learning across years of S34D operations.

Table 4: Evaluative learning questions, learning areas linked to activities and contributors.

Learning Questions (from S34D Activity MEL Plan)

Learning Areas Linkage to FY21 Activities

Contributors

How can S34D encourage Formal Sector and private sector entities to open market portfolios in terms of the range of crops towards legumes and minor cereals?

Compare and contrast last mile models in Kenya: Prototype by IFDC with niche model by PABRA. Generate implications for private sector entities.

1.1.4.1; 1.2.4.1; CCIR2.3.1

CRS will lead (with input from PABRA)

Which business models were cost-effective in improving farmers’ access to and use of new varieties and quality seeds? How can S34D improve the variety quality and seed quality of seed at the local markets (that is, improve the bulk of seed where farmers purchase)?

Compare and contrast business plans and road maps from Myanmar, Burundi, and DRC. Input from Vietnam seed club study. Generate implications for various seed systems.

1.2.3.1; 2.1.3.1; 2.2.3.2; CCIR1.3.2; CCIR1.2.1

Informal sector will lead (PABRA); supported by CRS

To drive inclusive policies and practices, what type of evidence and processes are needed to accelerate improvements in seed security?

Lessons learned about facilitation and working with national governments and partners through the standard seed certification protocol development in Kenya, RIMI in Tanzania, and niche model in Kenya; seed system regulatory maps in Ethiopia. Implications for process and stakeholder facilitations and engagement protocols.

1.1.3.2; 1.2.4.1; CCIR1.1.1; CCIR1.2.3; CCIR2.3.2

Policy lead (CRS) will lead; Supported by AE and PABRA

Curated evidence-base generated through the seed policy briefs. Implications generated for policy

CCIR1.3.1; CCIR1.3.2;

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and decision-makers. Dialogues initiated with regional players

CCIR2.2.1, and; CCIR2.2.3

What is the profile of seed security actions that leads to resilience?

Using framework developed under FY20, create an evidence-base of seed security actions that strengthen resiliency of seed systems and farming communities

1.3.1.1; 2.2.3.2; 2.2.2.1; 2.2.2.2, and 2.2.3.1

EHAR lead (CRS) will lead; Supported by PABRA

Which mechanisms or interfaces enabled greater number of women smallholder farmers (and youth) to sell, access, and purchase quality seeds, and more frequently?

Synthesize findings that enable female entrepreneurs to deliver services and extend their sales. Consolidate findings that affect women and adolescent girls’ access to affordable quality seed. Draw lessons learn from developing gender-sensitive tools, models and trainings.

Female seed entrepreneurs 1.1.3.2 ; 1.1.4.1; 2.1.3.1; CCIR 1.2.1; CCIR 1.2.3, and CCIR 1.3.1 Female farmers 1.2.4.1; 1.3.3.1; 2.1.3.1 CCIR 1.3.2, and; CCIR 2.3.2

Gender advisor (CRS) will lead

Dissemination Plan

Forums and platforms leveraged for dissemination and sharing under S34D CLA approach are listed below (but not limited to):

- USAID Feed the Future Agrilinks;

- USAID Country Mission seed system working groups (at country level);

- USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab (Legumes, Peanut, etc.);

- Seedsystem.org;

- Global Food Security Cluster (gFSC);

- S34D website, and;

- S34D CoP (Seed Policy & Regulations Learning) Platform.

S34D will ensure relevant USAID Country Missions are well informed about findings, and as such, all learnings and reports will be shared, and their feedback and comments incorporated into the refined learning agenda. The detailed implementation plan for FY21 MEL activities are shown in Table 5 below.

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Table 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Implementation Plan

Planned activities Outputs Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

1. Establish baselines for relevant activities with S34D partners

Baselines established X

2. Develop the S34D CoP for global S-S learning on seed policy and regulations

CoP incubated X

3. Develop, socialize, and finalize the learning template for each of the learning areas

Templates finalized X

4. Host learning meetings with partners (one every quarter)

Meetings conducted X X X X

5. Work with consortium partners to set targets for those goal and outcome indicators for which baselines are established

Targets established for relevant indicators.

X

6. Evaluate how the training received by seed companies in Uganda in FY20 changed their capacities

Change in capacities of the seed companies measured and documented

X X

7. Conduct a rapid survey to assess how farmers in western Kenya counties accessed Nyota in Oct 2020 agricultural season (short rains).

1 survey completed with ~90 farmers

X

8. Evaluate the similarities and differences between western and eastern parts of Kenya wrt to technology dissemination and adoption preferences. Disseminate findings and policy implications.

1 analytical report developed and disseminated.

X

9. Manage and store data Database managed X X X

10. Develop evaluative learning drafts 5 drafts X

11. Socialize the learnings with non-S34D stakeholders

Learnings disseminated on appropriate platforms

X X

12. Monitoring outputs and outcome targets including the last mile activity by IFDC in Kenya completed in Q1 FY21

Indicator dashboards developed and disseminated

X X

13. Create a portfolio with anecdotal stories FY20. Small vignettes with messages.

At least 5 anecdotal stories shared X X

14. Finalize and disseminate the evaluative learning reports

5 final learning reports X

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IV. S34D FY21 Budget

S34D current obligation is USD 5,750,000. With the FY19 expenses of USD 1,935,111 and the projected

FY20 expenses of USD 1,862,386, the estimated remaining obligated amount is USD 1,952,503. S34D’s total

budget for FY21 is USD 2,799,902 of which USD 1,852,559 is from RFS and OFDA core-funding, USD

455,762 is from OFDA core-funding (part of the USD500,000 incremental funding), USD 414,897 is from

mission-funded activities and USD 76,684 is from cost share.

The FY21 budget can be divided as follows:

• Activities implementation: USD 2,018,821, including USD 42,397 gender STA16

• M&E and Learning: USD 167,069, including USD 6,886 gender STA

• Award management: USD 285,522

• SMT & Technical Coordination: USD 328,490

There are more budget details by country, IR, activity, and partner in Annex B.

Annex E shows the budgets for the proposed mission-funded activities. These activities total a budget of USD 6,223,761.

16 Senior Technical Advisor

Obligation Spent Estimated expenses

Budget RFS/OFDA OFDA Mission Cost share

FY19 FY20 FY21

5,750,000 1,935,111 1,862,386 2,799,902 1,852,559 455,762 414,897 76,684

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V. Annexes

Annex A. Detailed Implementation Plan

Please find the Detailed Implementation Plan attached as a separate Excel file.

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Annex B. Activity Budget Summary The detailed budget and budget of activities by country and partners can be found in a separately

attached Excel file.

IR Cost USD CoreCore

OFDAMission

Cost

Share

1.1.3.1 (FY20 1.1.1.6) Digital training of seed inspectors and samplers in Zambia (core). Total $204,015 $154,015 $0 $0 $50,000

1.1.4.1 Last mile prototype: micro-franchise model roll out in Kenya (core). Total $38,357 $38,357 $0 $0 $0

1.2.4.1 (CCIR 2.3.1) Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report

to complete the pilot in Kenya (core). Total$18,772 $16,190 $0 $0 $2,582

1.3.1.1 Participatory Impact Assessment (PIA) of Seed Fairs (OFDA core). Total $250,712 $0 $250,712 $0 $0

1.3.3.1 Develop tools for rapid, remote seed security assessments (core). Total $59,755 $59,755 $0 $0 $0

2.1.3.1 Establish farm-based bean seed enterprises in Burundi (OFDA core)

Total$180,000 $0 $180,000 $0 $0

2.2.2.1 Design seed vouchers & fairs (SVFs) for resilience and/or long-term programming (core). Total $71,848 $55,780 $0 $0 $16,068

2.2.2.2 Support the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed sectors in fragile states (e.g. DRC, South Sudan, Burundi) (core). Total $155,738 $130,688 $25,050 $0 $0

2.2.3.1 Develop and test market-based emergency seed security interventions (core). Total $72,735 $64,701 $0 $0 $8,034

2.2.3.2 Assess the role of market pull to enhance resilience of seed supply and respond to emergency needs under informal seed

systems in South & North Kivu in DRC (core). Total$234,136 $234,136 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 1.1.1 Develop and compare regulatory system maps in Ethiopia (Mission). Total $138,694 $0 $0 $138,694 $0

CCIR 1.2.1 Compare seed clubs and QDS Producers: South to South Learning; compare with Niger Federation of millet growers

(core). Total$45,094 $45,094 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 1.2.3 Implement and pilot of Standard Seed Protocol in Kenya (core). Total $52,657 $52,657 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 1.3.1 Develop policy brief on seed registry in Benin (core). Total $35,494 $35,494 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 1.3.2 Assess and evaluate the policy and regulatory barriers with specific stress (saline-drought) tolerant varieties in Myanmar

(core). Total$158,411 $158,411 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 2.2.1 Develop forage infomatic dashboard using seed data and metrics and a policy brief on forage seed systems in Ethiopia

(Mission). Total$95,494 $0 $0 $95,494 $0

CCIR 2.2.2 Test out recommendations from FY20 technical roadmap, in select zones (10-15) in Ethiopia (Mission). Total $106,825 $0 $0 $106,825 $0

CCIR 2.2.3 COVID-19 sub-regional seed assessment alerts in Ethiopia (Mission). Total $73,884 $0 $0 $73,884 $0

CCIR 2.3.1 (1.2.4.1) Finalize Point-of-Sale pilot for the niche business model in Kenya, and disseminate the final second season report

to complete the pilot in Kenya (core). Total$7,217 $7,217 $0 $0 $0

CCIR 2.3.2 Pilot SMS-based farmer feedback loop on seed quality, known as Stop Bad Seed (Ripoti Mbegu Isiyo Bora - RIMI) in

Tanzania. Total$18,982 $18,982 $0 $0 $0

MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Total $167,069 $167,069 $0 $0 $0

Award Management & Operations Total $285,522 $285,522 $0 $0 $0

SMT & Technical Coordination Total $328,490 $328,490 $0 $0 $0

Grand Total $2,799,902 $1,852,559 $455,762 $414,897 $76,684

42

Annex C. Travel Budget

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20

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1,8

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$

990

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$

100

$

120

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5,4

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1.3

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Ed W

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222

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44

40

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75

$

90

$

3,6

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$

3,3

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3,6

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100

$

120

$

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$

10,9

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9,0

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100

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120

$

200

$

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1.3

.1.1

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Ric

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IN

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23

26

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$

45

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1,3

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$

270

$

440

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2,7

30

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2.2

.2.1

Monitor

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f SV

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17

57

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$

1,2

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$

315

$

550

$

100

$

120

$

50

$

200

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2,5

35

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2.2

.3.1

test

ing

and m

onitori

ng

of se

lect

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rvention

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(CR

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fric

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75

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$

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120

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50

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2,4

20

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2.2

.2.2

dat

a co

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case

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Kat

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75

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120

$

1,5

00

$

350

$

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$

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$

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2,9

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2.2

.2.2

Support

the

em

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of enhan

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nd

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lient

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ect

ors

in

frag

ile s

tate

s (e

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RC

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uth

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).

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17

57

51,5

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2.2

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dat

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114

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11

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72

$

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792

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2,6

92

$

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re M

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55

55

400

$

72

$

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$

360

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$

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1,8

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Noel T

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11

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11

10

400

$

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$

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$

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$

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$

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2,7

92

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Merc

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11

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400

$

72

$

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$

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$

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$

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$

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$

100

$

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$

1,8

60

$

Jean

Cla

ude

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DR

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33

33

400

$

72

$

100

$

400

$

216

$

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$

400

$

100

$

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$

1,5

16

$

Robin

Buru

char

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33

33

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$

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$

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$

400

$

216

$

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$

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153

291

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tals

:

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of

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Ass

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the r

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of

mar

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ce

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upply

and

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under

info

rmal

seed s

yste

ms

in S

outh

& N

ort

h K

ivu in

DR

C (

core

).

43

Annex D. Proposed Mission-funded Activity Descriptions Activity 0.1 Develop country profiles and framework for engagement in [country] (Mission). S34D has developed a country level assessment tool to identify key bottlenecks, opportunities and level of integration of the formal, informal and emergency seed systems. This framework document will serve as both a reference point for the seed systems activity within a country and provide Missions with a consolidated view of the various parts of the seed systems. S34D completed this work for Uganda and Kenya. This rapid analysis will draw on the wealth of existing information on the formal sector and complement this with data and targeted survey information from the informal and emergency seed systems. The output from this activity is a cross seed sector country profile (5-10 pages), which will provide a framework for engagement with USAID, host governments and private sector actors.

To develop a cost effective and consistent methodology, S34D will start with a virtual design consultation to generate a template and approach for undertaking the country profile. This work will draw from consortium partners and from other S34D’s network partners to gather information in the informal, emergency and policy areas. The results from the reports will first be shared with the Mission and a half day meeting with key ‘seed stakeholders’ to socialize the learning, gain additional insights, help verify the findings and to prioritize critical investment needs, will be requested a couple months in advance. Based on the lessons learned from Kenya and Uganda, S34D has refined the methodology and S34D can offer this cross seed sector profile to interested Missions.

IR 1.1 Constraints in formal seed systems identified and mitigated

Sub IR 1.1.1 Operational efficiency of seed companies increased.

Activity 1.1.1.4 Develop a fee-based training model for deployment by Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) (Mission). To provide capacity building in the Kenyan seed system, AE will undertake a training needs assessment survey with a cohort of 20-25 target seed companies identified by STAK. Following the needs assessment in Kenya, similar to the assessment in Uganda under activity 1.1.1.1., AE will develop training materials for a modular, fee-based training model for deployment by STAK, for a cohort of 15-20 seed companies. This work will draw heavily from the work conducted in Uganda, meaning that new material will only be generated in areas not covered in Uganda. However, the training materials will be adapted to the Kenyan seed market and operating environment. The development of the curriculum will be co-generated with leading USAID implementing partners such as ICRISAT, ILRI, KEPHIS and KALRO. As in Uganda, this activity will develop capacity building materials to provide short, modular training needs, that will be delivered to target seed companies with STAK. This capacity building activity will strengthen STAK and enable them to build their portfolio of services to offer their members. The training will focus on assisting seed companies to upgrade their seed production and marketing strategies with a focus on how to improve marketing and increase sales of non-hybrid crops to the more marginal production areas, more vulnerable farming communities, and small-scale farmers.

The outputs will be: (i) a needs assessment report, which complements the design of training materials to provide a regular but agile capacity building process, which is customized to the needs of the emerging Kenyan seed industry; and, (ii) to provide a sustainable training approach to be managed by STAK. Shifting to a fee for service approach will allow STAK and seed companies to develop a sustainable means of assisting seed companies to gain and maintain new skills to support overall competitiveness.

Activity 1.1.1.7 Create farmer awareness about the importance of periodically replacing non-maize seed, especially for legumes; and, training seed growers in certified seed production process in Zambia (Mission). To increase seed production for non-maize crops SCCI has requested support for strengthening the certification capacity of private company personnel for these crops, to carry out certification processes on behalf of SCCI and improve production efficiency. In Zambia, there is a need to increase awareness among farmers about the importance of periodically replacing their seed with fresh certified seed from seed companies; and, to train seed growers in the formal seed certification process. The outputs of this will be: (i)

44

training seed producers or contract growers (affiliated primarily with non-maize producing seed companies) in quality seed production of non-maize seed; and, (ii) building farmer awareness of the importance of renewing non-maize seed after a maximum of three years’ recycling.

Activity 1.1.1.8 Facilitate shift to a more private-sector-led inspection process in the national seed certification strategies, with emphasis on digital management tools to share compliance information in Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (Mission). The FY19 seed consultations that were undertaken during country visits by S34D personnel found that virtually all countries are undergoing one of the most fundamental shifts in their seed certification strategies in the past 20 years. The new seed strategy will place a far greater reliance on private sector firms for seed inspection, rather than seed inspection only being managed by government led inspection systems. This important change in the inspection and certification methodology will require a greater level of investment and responsibility in seed inspection by the private sector. To successfully make this transition, there will also be new requirements for monitoring and information sharing between government and private sector players. To enable both certifiers and seed companies to work together and keep costs at a manageable level, both parties are exploring the use of digital management systems to support inspection protocols, and to monitor and ensure quality assurance and quality compliance standards are maintained and approval processes put in place. There are many processes that need to be developed, agreed upon, and implemented in this digital transition, and there are also several different seed quality information management systems available. S34D has the opportunity to work with the various levels of government and different levels of the private sector to assess existing processes and tools and assist government agencies and seed firms to assess and test the various options. This will enable more informed decisions on how to invest in new processes, technology and staff training to support the transition into this more public-private partnership arrangement. In consultation with NML, AATF and SeedAssure, S34D will work with local partners to identify key needs of the seed sector players and offer specific consultancy analysis to evaluate and test new methods. The outputs are: (i) reports on challenges being faced by public and private sector partners in this transition; (ii) analysis of identified technical options; (iii) support in developing new business processes to assist in the transition to the new certification and inspection processes; and, (iv) training opportunities to enable players to take on new roles. Activity 1.1.1.10 Develop an inventory of financial services to expand financing for seed sales from seed companies in Senegal, Zambia, and Ethiopia (Mission). With the methodology, recommendation and learning in Niger (previous activity 1.1.1.9.) and the FY19 scans to assess the national lending environment for the seed sector, OI will expand this work into Senegal, Zambia, and Ethiopia. The outputs of the scan will inform seed supplier efficiency self-assessments (linked to activity 0.1, 1.1.1.4, 1.1.2.4, 1.1.3.2, and 1.2.3.2). This activity will enable seed companies to align with FSPs and access specialized coaching with local financiers. Types of capability and constraint listings will include: account and lending documentation requirements, loan appraisal regulations, variations between FSP types, variable pricing models (interest rates, risk appetite, and fees), available geographies, and delivery channels (traditional and digital). These evaluations will also inform the development of seed company operational efficiency self-assessments. If possible, S34D will plan this activity in collaboration with the rapid reviews for the country profiles.

Sub IR 1.1.2 Seed availability of climate – smart crops increased, through enhancing EGS capacities of firms and producers. Activity 1.1.2.1. Identify and document bottlenecks faced by national seed and post-harvest providers’ in accessing financial services and list recommendations for detailed action in Kenya and Tanzania (Mission). In Q2, OI will support PABRA in identifying and documenting national seed and post-harvest providers’ bottlenecks in accessing finance and in their distribution channels. To achieve this, OI will identify key national providers, then perform a seed company and post-harvest providers (demand-side) assessment where needed, and construct a standardized ranking matrix in Kenya or Tanzania (based on input from PABRA) to evaluate seed and post-harvest providers’ financial strength. This matrix will be tested with select providers as

45

a self-assessment tool. The output of this activity will be a methodology and tool for seed providers across the three seed sectors to identify financial bottlenecks.

Activity 1.1.2.2 Diversify sources of legume seed and increase the production of EGS of non-hybrid crops in Uganda (Mission). Lack of Early Generation Seed (EGS) for new varieties of legume seed is a major bottleneck in expanding the bean seed business. NARS remain the major, if not sole source, for EGS supply of non-hybrid crops. This limits the access to EGS and subsequent seed grades, which in turn, slows seed company access to new varieties and stymies market expansion. Thus, there is a need to diversify EGS seed sources of non-hybrid varieties. Leveraging AVISA’s work in breeding for market-preferred varieties, CIAT will involve three seed companies in the process of exploring the alternatives to NARS EGS seed production. CIAT will prototype three innovative EGS models, including: (i) (non-exclusive) variety licencing; (ii) contracts with seed companies, community-based organizations and farmer organizations; and, (iii) seed loans to avail EGS in a sustainable and market-led manner for non-hybrid crops, e.g. common beans. To develop these market-led EGS seed production models, CIAT will conduct desktop and institutional reviews on the status of the EGS for beans, assess bean EGS demand (quantity per variety), identify three target seed companies, and then work with the seed companies to build their capacity and skills to produce EGS. The outputs will be a report on the status of the capacity and challenges of the seed companies to access EGS in Uganda, strategies and methods for increasing the availability of EGS and improved knowledge, and skills of seed companies to produce and market EGS. This work will be conducted between Q2 through Q4. Sub IR 1.1.3 Capacities of local seed actors strengthened.

Activity 1.1.3.1 Strengthen capacities of last mile actors, enabling them to supply legume seeds in Western Kenya (Mission). ABC-PABRA will work with the Bubayi seed firm to promote legume seed production and supply. IFDC will strengthen last mile actors’ skills towards improving the supply of legume seeds around the location of Bubayi in western Kenya. IFDC will achieve this by training 30 last mile actors in Q2. OI will support this activity by expanding businesses through financing and enhancing business operations capacities. OI will produce four modules in this activity. In Activities 1.1.1.2 and 1.1.1.9, OI will focus on localizing the content of OI’s general agribusiness MSME training curricula and align the training curricula with top needs of seed companies. OI’s training curricula has nine modules: 1) Basics of Entrepreneurship, 2) Business Growth, 3) Employee Management, 4) Keeping Business Records, 5) Controlling Debt, 6) Fraud Management, 7) Planning Skills, 8) Communication with Customers, and 9) Business Prioritization. In this activity OI will select 4 out of the 9 modules from the training curricula and localize these modules into last mile coaching models, as appropriate for last mile agrodealers.

Leveraging the output from Activity 1.1.1.2 and 1.1.1.9, OI will collaborate with CIAT and IFDC to evaluate and develop models for credit and long-term financial access for last mile actors. The output of OI’s collaboration will be a coaching model with four modules (per country) for IFDC last mile agrodealers curriculum to improve business operations. IFDC will train last mile actors and IFDC and CRS will subsequent monitor the agrodealers and micro-retailers after the training (feedback on the reach of customers, seed sales etc.). In both countries, CRS supports (activity 1.1.3.2 and 1.1.3.3) the design and implementation the survey on monitoring of last mile actors towards improving their sales compared to baseline in Q4. The outputs of this activity are: (i) developed coaching module that serves as best practices towards capacity strengthening of last mile actors for improving their operational efficiencies and expanding their crop seed portfolios; (ii) teaching material for agricultural extension officers based in local county government; and, (iii) geo-tagging the last mile actors’ sales points and sharing the information on possible sales points of quality seeds of expanded crop portfolios to county agents and other development programs for better linkages with local farming communities. Activity 1.1.3.3 Strengthen capacities of local seed actors to extend customer base and support last mile in Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Senegal and Niger (Mission).

46

Though several agrodealer capacity development programs have been carried out in the past, e.g. AGRA’s agrodealer development program 2007-2012, S34D activities will focus on refresher trainings for last mile actors (agrodealers, micro-retailers and village agents and agri-preneurs). The activity focuses primarily on improving seed and variety knowledge, and other skills needed to improve their ability to expand their seed sales portfolio beyond maize. The purpose of this activity is to re-tool17 the last mile actors in the seed value chain with specific focus on climate-resilient crops and varieties, including DTM, cowpea, groundnut, beans, millet, sorghum, and roots, tubers, and bananas (RTBs) in Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Senegal and Niger as a part of Mission-funded activities. The output of this activity is a rapid methodology to upgrade skills and re-tool agrodealers in sales of legume and resilience crops. CRS’ Impact Investment team (through cost share) will review OI’s financial scan reports, as well as operational and financial self-assessment tools completed by key seed companies, and in collaboration with consortium members, prioritize where specialized BDS support or catalytic financing could maximize the impact and sustainability of S34D activities. Activity 1.1.3.4 Facilitate modernizing the seed industry with digital information management to support improved quality assurance/quality control (QA/ QC) in Uganda (Mission). S34D will work closely with MAIFF, NARO / NACCRI, USTA, and with seed companies that have indicated an interest to work with the government in the transition to a self-regulated certification system. The companies would hire their own seed inspectors, pay for training in the upgrading process and report their seed production returns through a digital information portal or system. There are already seed information management systems available, some of which have been tested such as Seed Assure. However, it is important to note that use of any digital systems is only as successful as the underlying policies, procedures and practices on which the overall system is structured. Therefore, the success in integrating technologies with seed companies and certifiers will need to bolstered with support in analysis, testing and capacity building to be able to use technologies in the new roles.

The modernization and digitization of the seed system, including the digitization of national seed catalogues, will benefit MAIFF as they will be able to manage a more streamlined formal seed inspection and certification system. In Uganda’s case, the new approach would come with an increase in the level of seed inspectors required to support the production of certified seed. However, a much greater part of the cost would fall onto the private sector, who would need to hire their own inspection teams. The result would be that Uganda would create an inspection service that would be a commensurate level of inspection relative to the size of the seed industry. If the new procedures were also applied to NARO / NACCRi and the EGS systems, this would provide a means for upgrading the ability to order and trace EGS seed production and procurement. Seed companies will have a better EGS ordering process and would be able to order seed more in advance, which will reduce costs to maintain parental lines. The shift in inspection would improve confidence in the seed system and lead to reduced levels of counterfeit seed. S34D will build USTA’s capacity to provide seed certification services, support companies in their use of the underlying systems and use of digital QA platforms. The improved system will benefit both seed volumes and confidence of farmers in certified seed products they purchase. To achieve this, S34D will complement investments being made by AGRA and World Bank. S34D’s investment will focus on process development, testing and evaluation of implementation of methods, tools and digital systems. This work would involve holding a series of meetings with stakeholders to support design and decision making, preparation of business cases for the phases of investment, and training of target users for the QA/QC systems. Follow up analysis will include process performance and effectiveness.

The outputs are: (i) analysis of key processes that will be upgraded through the new management system; (ii) consolidation of inclusive recommendations on strategies to support the transition from public to private led seed inspection services; (iii) review of best suited digital management systems targeting different levels of seed system including Ministry, USTA, and range of businesses from mature to emerging companies; (iv)

17 Re-tooling is the development of a refresher training and a focused way of training agrodealers on specific subject areas; here imparting knowledge on seeds and seed business related skills.

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capacity building of 2-3 USTA staff and 10-15 seed company inspection teams within target companies; (v) provision of coaching to 10-15 target companies on a fee based service to support the transition to the new digital seed management systems; and, (vi) annual reporting on effectiveness of transition to a private sector led seed inspection system.

Activity 1.1.3.5. Improve knowledge and technology capacity of the Ag Seed Agency and target national seed firms in production and genetic maintenance of EGS and foundation seed, focusing on cassava and legumes in Tanzania (Mission). Under this activity, S34D will consult with AVISA and Modernization of State Agencies for Enhancing the Seed Sector in Tanzania (ESSETA) to ensure activities are not duplicated. AVISA is working on groundnut and sorghum and ESSETA is working on common bean and other crops both funded by BMGF. S34D will assess the capacity of the Ag Seed Agency (ASA) - seed unit under the MoA and (second tier) seed firms to develop training modules, and work with national services providers (TASTA) to develop a fee-based training model.

Activity 1.1.3.6 Build the capacity of agrodealers and other last mile actors in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Niger (Mission). Under this activity, S34D (IFDC and OI) will coordinate with AGRA to build the capacity of agrodealers and other last mile actors in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Niger. Sub IR 1.1.4 Sustainable models with private sector players to supply quality EGS and QDS to a range of suppliers piloted and scaled using innovative financing. Activity 1.1.4.1 Prototype two last mile delivery models to reach last mile users with quality seeds in Uganda (Mission) IFDC, in collaboration with PABRA, OI and two selected seed firms, will work on scaling up agro-vets, micro-retailers and agri-preneurs’ operations. This will be achieved with a selection of cohorts from the trained last mile actors for enhancing supply (linked to activity 1.1.3.1 and activity 1.1.3.2) by validation of business plans through stakeholder consultative meetings; expanding business needs by linking selected agri-preneurs at the last mile; and, by demonstrating a prototype of last mile delivery model with activities. Prototype activities in Kenya and Uganda include testing input bundles and enhancing seed storage aspects, micro-franchising and mobile carts, vans, variety demonstrations, kiosks and small seed packet sizes.

In Kenya, IFDC will implement among selected cohorts of agrodealers towards expanding their business operations through micro-franchising or micro-retailers. The last mile cohort actors will be selected from the trained cohorts in Western Kenya (linked to activity 1.1.3.2 above) to improve the supply of legume seeds. The activity will be led by IFDC in partnership with CIAT-PABRA. In Uganda, IFDC will leverage their existing value chain activities related to rice and legumes, by focusing on improving the supply of high-quality seeds and varieties by cohorts of selected and trained last mile actors (linked to 1.1.3.3 above) in southern and southeastern Uganda. These activities will be carried out by increasing awareness through field days and field demonstrations by agrodealers for farmers in Q2 and Q3 in Kenya and Uganda. These activities will share information to 50 farm households on new seed varieties and production technologies of legumes and other cereal crops beyond maize, seed storage aspects, and other seed related information, including seed access points for high-quality seeds. The outcomes of prototype activities, such as input bundles, micro-franchising through retailers, mobile sellers (vans, carts, bikes), and varying seed package size are to improve the accessibility and availability of high-quality seeds of legumes, cereals and RTBs through enhanced last mile delivery systems. These activities will be implemented from Q2-Q4.

Outputs from the activities in Uganda would include cohort of trained agrodealers or last mile actors linked to local markets, including finance (in selected cases) and other services. These services are linked with a range of input suppliers and firms that supply different agricultural inputs to enable diversification of enterprises and improved input bundling services. The prototypes are linked with existing farmer organizations and trader associations in the areas of operations for sustained business opportunities and networking.

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OI, together with IFDC, will prototype Farmer-Feedback based financing models for last mile distributors. Leveraging human-centered design methods, OI will develop a digital farmer ranking system to allow women and youth SHFs to report on the quality of service delivery by distributors. Rankings will be compiled for FSPs to use as a basis for underwriting loans to last mile distributors. The output of this activity is a tested farmer-based feedback financing model. The activity is planned for Kenya and Uganda in Q2-Q4.

Activity 1.1.4.2 Review current VBA method; test and strengthen alternative methods on improving last mile distribution of seed, including access to credit and financial education for agrodealers and VBAs in Tanzania (Mission). Given the ongoing challenges of linking more farmers to quality seed sales, CRS, IFDC and OI will review all current VBA methods, by target countries, to strengthen, accelerate or explore alternative methods to improve sales of seed to the segments and locations where quality seed uptake remains low. This approach will include working on targeting of seed from specific seed companies and also finding ways to enable access to credit and financial education to agrodealers and village-based agents (VBAs). The initial outputs will be reports on the range of last mile input supply methods and business models that are promising. Activity 1.1.4.3 Prototype last mile models with quality seeds of legumes and cereals in Malawi, Senegal and Niger (Mission). The output of this activity is to work with implementing partners in the target country to learn how well prototype models of last mile seed delivery systems are functioning, and then work with a selected set of last mile actors to enhance quality seeds delivery to women and youth SHFs. The approach will explore innovative financial models for storage, distribution mechanisms, infrastructure and market promotion mechanisms. Methods to increase demand include increasing awareness of the benefits of using quality seed of new crop varieties and raising effective demand among farm households through field days and information sharing. Other methods will include input bundles and introducing or strengthening methods that improve seed storage, micro-franchising, use of mobile carts and vans to bring seeds closer to buyers, variety demonstrations, kiosks and testing smaller seed packet sizes. In Malawi, S34D would focus on improving the supply of legumes – groundnuts and other beans; in Niger – millets, cowpeas and groundnut; and in Senegal – sorghum, millets and cowpea. This activity will be implemented in conjunction with the EHAR last mile work under 1.3.4.

Activity 1.1.4.5 Professionalize the processes and scaling production of QDS at community/farmer level through Public-Private Partnerships where the QDS producers have access to quality seeds (from private sectors or from NARS) in Tanzania (Mission). The outputs are: (i) analysis of current processes and other existing strategies (ii) upgrading strategies supported by new management systems; (iii) consolidation of inclusive recommendations on strategies to support the transition from public to private led seed inspection services; (iv) review of best suited digital management systems targeting different levels of seed system including Ministry, TASTA, and range of businesses from mature to emerging companies; (v) capacity building of 2-3 TASTA staff and 10-15 seed company inspection teams within target companies; (vi) provision of coaching to 10-15 target companies on a fee based service to support the transition to the new digital seed management systems; and, (vii) annual reporting on effectiveness of transition to a private sector led seed inspection system.

Activity 1.1.4.6 Scale out last mile services with local seed conservation models for non-hybrid crops in Kenya (Mission). The Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project in Kenya has developed and identified several improved sorghum, beans, pigeon peas, groundnuts, millets and cowpeas, but the project faces challenges with mechanisms for storage and conservation of seed. The ability of farmers to store seed and maintain its integrity, purity and high germination rates is weak; therefore, solutions are required which can enable farmers to access quality seed of a range of crops, especially in areas not well supported through agrodealer networks. In this activity S34D (CRS, Purdue University,) will work closely with county governments, Kuza, ICRISAT, target seed companies and agrodealers and will test new business models and scaling seed storage and local sales systems with the AVCD team to provide sustainable services, as the project investments wind down.

The scaling solutions outputs include: (i) organizing farmers using collective marketing groups or savings groups to build the necessary social capital to generate long term group sustainability for seed and grain

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storage; (ii) adapting the KUZA, last mile rural agent strategy, to deploy a fee-based network of rural agents that can provide agro-inputs and storage services to farmers for a range of crops; and, (iii) assessing the viability of seed banks and invest with the local business community and farmers to develop a robust business model that will allow this methodology to be applied sustainably at scale.

Activity 1.1.4.7 Utilize digital last mile seed rural agent systems in Uganda (Mission). The partnership between CRS, IFDC, Syngenta and local seed companies will establish a local rural agent network to configure the system to the Ugandan seed and agro-input landscape and set up the basic platform from which to scale the last mile business model. S34D will work with KUZA, a social enterprise with a multi-sided AgTech digital platform, to deploy a fee-based network of rural agents that is supported through a robust digital backbone. The rural agents will be hired and trained to establish a local business network that links hard to reach farmers with critical agricultural services, including agricultural advice, access to seeds, agricultural inputs, finance, and market linkage. This approach from a start-up to managing a sustainable agri-business of a rural agent takes less than two years. The scale will be achieved by growing the rural agent business network that links informal farmers to formal inputs, markets, and other ecosystem partners via the digital platform. Farmers will gain the following: (i) access to quality inputs; (ii) access to credit; (iii) access to markets; and, (iv) access to knowledge and actionable intelligence, combination that will lead to improved income and quality of life. Rural Agents (youth), will have the opportunity to engage in a new business enterprise and link with a last mile innovation and sales network. Seed companies, agrodealers and aggregators will have access to a missing link in the supply chain, which will assist their marketing strategies and provide fee for service intermediation for input and output markets.

IR 1.2 Strengthened capacity of informal seed systems to offer a broader range of affordable, improved quality seed Sub IR 1.2.1. Informal trader capacity and local seed networks assessed.

Activity 1.2.1.1 Conduct yellow bean characterization study in Uganda (Mission). CIAT-PABRA will conduct the characterization and profiling of seed and grain markets in the yellow bean corridor in Uganda, in terms of varieties grown and traded, market size, type and gender of traders and seed actors in the value chain, geographical zones of production concentration, and the final destination for marketed volumes, among other aspects. This study includes DNA fingerprinting of collected grain and seed samples to establish the seed and grain of yellow bean varieties grown and traded. Key findings from the Uganda yellow bean study will be disseminated to at least 100 stakeholders in the bean and seed value chains (bean aggregators, seed companies, national seed services, policymakers in the MoA, agrodealers, local government officials, representatives of the development partners and farmer organizations) in a workshop in Uganda. The outputs are one final report from Uganda on the yellow bean study, one policy brief, and information tools produced and shared. Activity 1.2.1.2 Seed and grain market characterization and identification of areas of interventions in Senegal (Mission). Groundnut and common beans are nutritious and marketable legume commodities in Senegal. In FY20, PABRA, Purdue University and CRS will carry out a characterization and profiling of the seed and grain markets in groundnut corridor in Senegal. The assessment will focus on varieties grown and used (released and non-released) and traded, market size and potential growth, type and gender of traders and seed actors in the value chain, geographical zones of production concentration, final destination for marketed volumes among other aspects. The survey will identify the current use of post-harvest technologies and their bottlenecks. The aim is to improve the understanding of the importance of these legumes beans in the region, capacity of traders and seed network within the corridor, and to identify opportunities for enhancing sectoral efficiency through policy, institutions and practice that work across national boundaries in the two countries. Additionally, OI will consult with the Peanut Innovation Lab prior to conducting the landscaping of groundnut systems (input and output flow). Alongside PABRA, OI will evaluate and then develop a gross margin analysis in Senegal (inclusive of locally available financing rates) for supply-side groundnut

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agribusinesses and farmer demand-side production. This activity will leverage the Supply and Demand side gross margin assessment tools from 2.1.2.1 The output will be a landscaping analysis and development of the gross margin analysis. OI does not expect to expand this work to other countries during FY20. The outputs are a report on the seed and grain market characterization, its policy implication, morphological characterization and DNA extraction of traded groundnut and bean genotypes in conjunction with activity CCIR 2.2.1. Activity 1.2.1.3 Conduct diagnostics of seed storage—assess legume storage and post-harvest management constraints and capacities in Niger (Mission). Cowpea is referred to as “the meat of the poor” in West Africa, and Niger is the second largest producer of cowpea after Nigeria, yet most of the cowpea produced in Niger are exported to Nigeria. Increasing productivity through improved functioning of the national seed systems would have a tremendous impact on farmers and other value chain actors in their ability to increase production and sales. Seed storage is a major challenge among SHFs and other value chain actors such as seed producers and suppliers. Farmers often rely on traditional seed storage methods that are either ineffective, not scalable, or not economical. Insecticides commonly used in seed storage by other value chain actors (e.g. seed producers and suppliers) are not reliable due to insect resistance or poor-quality insecticides. The lack of proper training on the use of chemicals and the use of poor quality insecticides lead to insect resistance. Plus, many of the insecticide products sold in rural markets are expired or adulterated. Post-harvest management of cowpea seed is crucial to maintain and preserve the viability of planting material. Using a private donation ($60,000) in collaboration with Kirk Trust House (a UK-based Foundation), S34D (Purdue University) is currently partnering with Sahel Bio to conduct surveys to assess farmers’ preferences. This activity runs from June 2019 to April 2020 and will test the performance of striga (parasitic weed) resistant cowpea varieties in Maradi and Zinder. Purdue University will work with INRAN (National Institute of Agricultural Research, Niger) and Sahel Bio (a local NGO in Maradi) to conduct a survey among farmers, seed producers and agrodealers to understand post-harvest seed management to help identify challenges and opportunities for interventions that would strengthen the functioning of the national seed system in Niger. The study will focus on cowpea and will be conducted in Maradi, Zinder and Dosso where cowpea is an important crop. The survey will also include areas that have received seed interventions (distribution) under emergency relief programs led by CRS Niger or other development programs. Purdue and its partners will organize a knowledge-sharing meeting for stakeholders after the completion of the assessment of legume storage and post-harvest management constraints and capacities in Niger. S34D will invite at least 20 participants to this meeting, including NGOs and development agencies involved in agriculture, government research and extension services involved in seed production and dissemination, seed producers and vendors, and donor agencies. The output will be an assessment with clear recommendations on how farmers, seed producers and agrodealers can improve post-harvest seed management in their businesses. This survey will be carried out before June 2020, and this intervention will leverage ongoing cowpea seed-related activities.

Sub IR 1.2.2. Capacity of local seed entrepreneurs and non-traditional seed actors strengthened.

Activity 1.2.2.1 Scope existing and identify new seed and post-harvest suppliers and vendors to expand the reach of these technologies in Tanzania (Mission). Purdue will, in collaboration with PABRA (link to activity 1.2.1.1) increase the number of retail points selling improved seed and post-harvest technologies for seed preservation. Basic lists of seed dealers will be provided by PABRA, while Purdue will provide PICS bag vendors in the intervention area. Potential new vendors of seed and post-harvest technologies will be identified. Purdue will identify existing PICS distributors and vendors, seed suppliers and vendors, and recruit new distributors and vendors who are willing to sell seed and post-harvest related inputs to improve availability. Vendors are identified and mapped with basic information, business focus, capacity, location, contacts, etc. using the Kobo app. These maps will be stored in a database. The database will be shared with farmers and agri-preneurs allowing easier access to

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vendors and the technologies. In addition, the database will be shared with implementers (NGOs, government agencies, etc.) to help advise their beneficiaries on the availability of seed and post-harvest technologies. The outputs will be a scoping and market opportunity case study, report on changes in availability and access to improved seed by farmers through mapping and integrating both seed and post-harvest distribution systems. The report will assess levels of integration of target retail networks and define new business opportunities to both seed and post-harvest suppliers and dealers. This would expand market opportunities for seed and post-harvest technologies and strengthen the distribution retail networks. Activity 1.2.2.2 Train and link the seed and post-harvest supplier and vendors to distribute and market these technologies Tanzania (Mission). Under this activity Purdue will, with support from PABRA (Activity 1.2.1.1.) and PPTL (PICS licensee and manufacturer in Tanzania), increase the number of retail points selling improved seed and post-harvest technologies for seed preservation. After the completion of the scoping and identification of new vendors, S34D will organize a meeting among seed, PH suppliers, distributors, and vendors. This will be an opportunity to pitch seed and PH technologies, and financial products to these stakeholders. Under this core-funded activity, Purdue will tap into the PICS distribution network to sell seed. Purdue will organize a meeting and train at least 20 participants on new and improved seed and post-harvest technologies. At the meeting, PABRA will discuss seed, Purdue will discuss post-harvest technologies and OI will discuss financial products. PABRA will discuss the seed business opportunities with post-harvest vendors and distributors. PICS bag vendors need to learn from PABRA how to become seed dealers and manage a seed business- where they buy seed, when, who and how to reach potential customers. PABRA seed dealers will be trained on post-harvest technologies and business opportunities. Some of the field observation from post-harvest study in Tanzania suggest that some seed dealers are seasonal. Adding post-harvest technologies to seed dealers’ businesses would provide them with another line of product to sell to their customers and build their businesses. A representative of PICS manufacturers will attend the meeting to discuss business opportunities with seed suppliers, dealers and producers to either use or sell PICS bags. Participants in these meetings will also include government agencies involved in seed systems, NGOs involved in seed and seed producers. During the same meeting, a training on new and improved seed and post-harvest technologies will be provided by Purdue and PABRA. Awareness will be created by presentations and posters about improved seed storage. These seed storage posters will be disseminated among farmers through S34D partners including seed and post-harvest technologies suppliers and vendors. The outputs will be increased awareness about benefits of new seed and grain storage methods, capacity building of key actors in the input and output markets in post-harvest technologies, and generation and expansion of new business partners for post-harvest technologies, leading to increased sales of post-harvest technologies and improvements in seed storage by suppliers.

NEW Activity 1.2.2.3: Develop training materials (tools) to enhance seed quality and marketing in informal seed systems in Tanzania (Mission).

Justification: Based on results from the yellow bean survey, the dominant seed source for non-hybrid seed, such as improved bean varieties, in Tanzania is through traders in informal markets. However, these actors lack skills in good seed production and storage practices and building the capacity of these stakeholders will raise farmer access to quality seed. Seed quality starts from an understanding of the source. Seed quality is then maintained by following a basic set of seed protocols, that have been developed within the formal sector. These methods can be adapted for use by informal actors to upgrade their operations to produce and sell quality “potential seed”. Improved seed, will improve farmer yields and provide larger grain traders (off-takers) with a consistent supply of quality grain. In this activity, all stakeholders in the commodity corridors (i.e. traders, farmers, policymakers, etc.) will be instrumental to achieve sustainable objectives.

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Description: This activity will use findings from the yellow bean study in Tanzania from FY20 to generate a training guide to support the needs of grain traders who play an important role in producing “potential” seed through various arrangements, such as own seed production or by contracting farmers to produce seed for grain producers. These informal seed actors have limited access to information on good agricultural practices including matching seed needs with market growth, basic seed production methods to achieve high quality seed, variety identity, seed quality, demand and their supply and post-harvest management and handling of seed to seed producers. In the yellow bean study, grain / seed traders reported using several seed management practices, but more can be done to enable them to produce higher quality seed. As “non-certified / potential” seed remains the dominant source of seed available in local grain markets, investment in building the capacity of actors to improve and maintain quality along the respective supply chains has the potential to increase farmers’ access to quality seed of varieties with high market demand.

Targeting informal seed traders, this activity will develop a simple but robust training guide to enhance knowledge and skills of traders engaged with sales of “potential seed” to improve local seed production, quality control, safe transportation, and storage prior to sales. The training guide will be developed using recently generated information, and disseminated through print and digital copies. The dissemination and deployment will be through PABRA’s partners e.g. the Tanzania National Research Institute (TARI) and seed organizations using a range of channels including print /electronic copies and face–to-face training options. Providing training to the trading community will enhance country ownership and sustainability of these innovative seed systems interventions. The training guide will be relevant for similar informal seed sectors beyond Tanzania.

Specific activities will include:

(i) Review and consolidation of information on appropriate seed production, quality control and post-harvest management practices;

(ii) Packaging a training guide on quality seed production practices into user-friendly print and visual knowledge products;

(iii) Testing/validating the draft guide with representative ‘seed’ traders (iv) Sharing the training guide through a mix of formats and dissemination channels. (v) Use of ICT tools to capture needs by gender, irrespective of their status, i.e. youth or PWDs. (vi) Analysis on whether the needs are being met in the bean value chain will be covered.

The information gathering and training will guide decision making by NARS and market actors, while offering specialized programs to all including PWDs, especially on how seed quality can be enhanced. This activity aims to offer knowledge products to an inclusive set of stakeholders. Output of this activity is a training guide that will be disseminated through print, digital formats, with training being delivered through partners in the PABRA network, with emphasis on NARS and extension services providing training to informal seed clients.

Sub IR 1.2.3. Business models to leverage integrated operations validated.

Activity 1.2.3.1 Test and catalyze push-pull model to harness demand and improve access to quality declared legume seed (QDS) in Uganda (Mission). In the recently concluded Tropical Legumes activity (phase II & III), ISSD, PABRA and NARO have supported an evolution of the community-based (Local) Seed Businesses (LSBs) that have contributed to growth in seed multiplication of five newly released bean varieties (NARO Beans 1, 2 3, 4 and 5) in Uganda. However, these LSBs rely on large institutions, such as NGOs, for sale of their seed. This market is not sustainable. To pilot the pull-push seed marketing strategy for enhancing the capacity of CBOs to produce and sell bean seed directly to bean farmers in Central –West and Eastern Uganda, CIAT will work with 10 LSBs and will leverage and build upon PABRA’s demand-led breeding projects and ISSD’s information on new varieties. To achieve this, CIAT will train 50 seed producers on seed business management (marketing, record keeping and cost-benefit analysis) and package information on new variety profiles. CIAT-PABRA will provide variety information, bean production guides and seed sources to 20,000 farmers and 50 outlets and

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seed distribution networks. Various seed packages and pricing, variety and seed branding from the LSB will be tested, in partnership with 10 LSBs, NARO and development partners, and CIAT will disseminate information packages (500 branded variety information leaflets and posters and 500 bean seed production and marketing guides for LSB and 1000 production guides for bean grain producers) to end-users. The marketing strategies emphasize the use of parallel and multiple dissemination methods. The mobile phone approach will be one method and will be based on ICT platforms, e.g. through WhatsApp in a system developed and supported through previous projects, like the MasterCard Farmer Network marketing platform for inclusive financing that has a substantial number of farmers linked through ICT. Although the mobile phone penetration in Uganda is about 77%, the internet penetration rate is 40.5% (2019) based on Internet World Stats18. WhatsApp is only one of the multi-media promotion approaches the activity will use to harness demand and improve access of QDS by end users. WhatsApp will not be exclusively or main approach to reach end users. S34D plans to selectively use it to link QDS producers to extension service providers, agro-input dealers to create awareness and promotes QDS to end users. Intermediaries in turn will use other mass communications approaches, such as radio, demonstrations, field days, SMS to convey information on QDS.

The marketing strategies will also include a range of other media channels. Via public events, such as agricultural shows, community market days, outlet-based demonstrations and field days, CIAT will support seed producers in reaching out to various networks of bean farmers with specified seed offers.

The outputs are a report that defines the business model and characterizes the production and marketing of seed by LSBs and an analysis of their strategies used to improve their seed marketing penetration, increased knowledge and skills of 10 LSB managers and their distributors. Information on increases in sales.

Activity 1.2.3.2 Test bundled legumes & fodder seed and Post-Harvesting Technologies (PHT) marketing model in Kenya (Mission). S34D will test the bundling and the marketing of certified seed of various fodder and legumes crop and other complementary technologies such as PHTs (PICS bags). S34D will train at least 350 trainers from farmer organizations on benefits of legume and forage crop bundling and link them to 20 seed actors. Access to quality legume and forage seed is a gap identified by USAID-funded AVCD activity and Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Development (KCDMSD) activity. CIAT’s forage program is currently working with two private seed companies (Amiran and Advantages) to popularize forage seed (Bracharia sp) in Kenya. An additional company with strong focus on animal husbandry and national distribution coverage will be recruited to strengthen the consortium. Together with OI, S34D will explore financing options to seed actors (particularly agrodealers based on their identified need) in order to boost the financial capacity to meet market demand and use digitalized ICT to disseminate information on combinations of the bundles to the last mile users (linked to activity 1.2.4.1.). CIAT will synthesize the existing information and develop a business case for bundling legumes with fodder to demonstrate profitability. After holding 3 sensitization and consultative meetings with seed companies and agrodealers, 20 people from 3 interested seed companies and agrodealers will be trained on designing cross crop seed bundles. In collaboration with seed producers, AVCD and KCDMSD activities, KEPHIS and STAK, farmer groups will be identified and trained on the benefits and utilization of bundled seed. The output of this activity is to develop one participatory business plan and progress report.

Activity 1.2.3.3 Facilitate digital information sharing platforms for seed actors and analytics to enhance seed business and link to farmer demand in Uganda (Mission). In collaboration with Kuza and PABRA, OI will contribute to the adaptation of a commercially viable fee-based digital platform to register farmers and other seed actors and provide them with information on input availability and market off-take. To achieve this OI, will develop analytics metrics, process data, model cash

18 https://internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm

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flows and make recommendations for the platform integration. The output of this activity is linked to the Kuza and PABRA digital platform pilot.

New Activity 1.2.3.4: Develop investment plans for private and public actors to support informal seed sector opportunities in Tanzania (Mission). Justification: While the informal seed sector presents numerous business opportunities, these opportunities have not been well articulated to potential investors. Business / investment plans can assist seed entrepreneurs to make loan applications with financial service providers who are not accustomed to lending into the informal seed sector. Failure to raise additional capital to support the informal seed sector will mean that farmers will not receive the seeds they require, and traders will continue to rely on the production and trading or older, lower yielding, recycled varieties. Under S34D, ABC-PABRA conducted a value chain study for yellow bean in the East African trade corridor, with emphasis on the links between sales of seed by larger traders and procurement of grain by exporters. The study assessed the opportunities for profitable investments in seed to support the yellow bean output markets. The study demonstrated that: i) growth in the national and cross-border trade for yellow bean provides increasing demand for quality yellow bean seed; ii) grain traders are important non-traditional producers and sellers of non-certified and/or potential seed; iii) despite the strong markets both nationally and regionally, there is insufficient public and private investors in the seed sector for legumes. Given the informal nature of the legume market, new approaches are required to enable greater investment in the informal seed sector. The role of government is still critical in the EGS stage to release new varieties, and to support base production of foundation seed that supplies the formal and informal seed systems. New ways to invest in the multiplication and ongoing dissemination of high demand varieties are critical so that markets and trade can continue to grow.

Description: This activity will develop an investment plan for private grain and seed production with a focus on non-traditional actors, such as traders and market retailers. It will also develop an investment plan to support the early generation seed produced by the public seed sector. This part of the investment plan will provide insights into basic market seed forecasts and requirements to ensure the supply of sufficient foundation seed to supply the private sector with the basic seed material to multiply for sale to farmers. The investment plans will be disseminated to seed production teams and private sector investors through workshops and webinars. Outputs of this activity will be a yellow bean seed investment decision plan targeting (i) informal seed enterprises and (ii) public decision makers. The investment plans will provide a model that can be used / adapted for other bean market types or crops with similar informal grain-seed markets.

Sub IR 1.2.4. Last mile delivery solutions through non-traditional partners and ICT strengthened.

Activity 1.2.4.2 Catalytic financial models for seed companies and large traders to scale out micronutrient rich legumes in Kenya (Mission). OI will assess PABRA supported agribusiness and farmer profitability for the supply and sale of macronutrient rich legume products. OI will introduce national financial service providers to macronutrient legume seed distributors and develop seed company training workshops (linked to 1.2.4.1). OI will achieve this by adapting training curriculum on macronutrient legume modelling from the niche market business model (activity 1.2.4.1). Under the guidance of PABRA, OI will train 8 agribusinesses.

IR 1.3 Strengthened capacity of emergency and humanitarian aid programs to respond effectively to acute and chronic stresses Sub IR 1.3.3 Tools and Information Systems to frame Shock Responsive Models developed.

Activity 1.3.3.4 Develop country-level inputs to seed database with real-time snapshots pre- and post-disasters in Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, or Niger (Mission).

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To inform the platform, S34D will conduct 1-2 studies of recent seed aid in Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, or Niger. The purpose of these studies is to inform and populate the database, and to have a global picture of what types of seed assistance occur in emergencies. This information will be used for Mission knowledge, as a baseline for future responses, and to analyze together for advocacy messaging around relief seed. The output will be used as part of the S34D country profile, for Mission knowledge; as a baseline for future responses; and, to analyze together for advocacy messaging around relief seed. Sub IR 1.3.4 Last mile delivery solutions especially for chronic stress areas (small packs, boutiques, WhatsApp seller linkages) developed.

Activity 1.3.4.1 Identify promising practices from last mile PASP model to provide access to improved seed in chronic stress contexts (Mission). Together with the formal and informal seed systems teams, CIAT and CRS will identify existing and promising last mile solutions that provide access to improved seed in chronic stress contexts (1.1.3). To achieve this, S34D will link with CRS’ new learning study funded through CRS’ Innovation Funds. This study is a 3-year program to develop and evaluate a harmonized technical framework for the fee-based Private Agricultural Service Provider (PASP) approach. As a Proof of Concept, CIAT will work with CRS to conduct a learning webinar for humanitarian and development practitioners - private sector actors will be included when relevant - to identify initial learning that can be further explored or disseminated in FY21 through mission funding and will write the findings in a 1-2 pager. This activity will be integrated with S34D’s formal and informal team’s last mile activities and conducted in Q3 and Q4.

1.3.4.2. Scope and prototype PASP model for groundnut seed in Senegal (Mission). In collaboration with S34D’s formal sector last mile activities, CRS will explore prototyping of the PASP model for groundnut seed with the Senegal mission. Building on best practices CRS has gathered to date, the team will model PASP specifically for seed. Lessons will be captured in a learning report and in multi-stakeholder learning events. S34D will leverage this experience to explore promoting this model in other locations. The output will be a learning report and in multi-stakeholder learning events. S34D will leverage this experience to explore promoting this model in other locations.

1.3.4.3. Study existing “mom & pop shops” as opportunities to make improved seed available in rural areas (small packs, etc.) in Niger (Mission). In collaboration with S34D’s formal sector last mile activities, CRS will jointly study existing “mom & pop shops” as opportunities to make improved seed available in rural areas (small packs, etc.). Officially, seed in Niger must go through formal channels despite significant informal activity (i.e., trade with Nigeria). The GoN’s seed program targets the most vulnerable for annual distributions; seed production companies often prioritize the government and other institutional buyers as clients, so private sector investments in marketing and distribution for retail sale—including to SHFs—have been generally low. GoN and NGOs cannot meet the country’s seed requirements. There are issues with quality of distributed seed, as well as timeliness and special interests also make seed quite political. Interestingly, SHFs appear to be increasingly willing to pay for quality seeds rather than waiting on the unreliable distributions and risking losses, especially following businesses’ marketing efforts (i.e., demo plots near decentralized vendors, branded small packs, quality guarantees, radio commercials, etc.). Seed companies are responding by extending ‘points of sale’ retail models and are often encouraged by programs funded by AGRA, etc. but also often lack sufficient capital, certain management skills, etc. Through this activity, S34D will explore the Niger case of kiosks as potential model for other countries; the output is a short evaluation and white paper on this model.

IR 2.1 Strengthened interface and collaboration between formal and informal seed systems

Sub IR 2.1.1 Local seed network strategies (to interface, collaborate, and leverage) and local capacities are assessed.

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Activity 2.1.1.1 Implement cross seed system studies using an adapted Seed Systems Strengthening Assessment SSSA+ methodology in Uganda (Mission). S34D (CRS and CIAT) will work with ISSD and AE to adapt the standard SSSA methodology to apply this new method to a larger area to assess the level of access to quality seed for the top 4 crops in low potential and highly vulnerable areas, medium potential and high potential areas.

The SSSA+ study will complement the TASAI assessments and the country profile (activity 0.1) and provide country offices, programs and projects with a rapid assessment of the levels of farmer access to improved seed, and the varieties used by different farmer segments across the country. This will provide a better sense of the geo-spatial access to seed for the major food crops, and provides details about where farmers access seed, the quality of the seed and a better sense of how the formal, informal and EHAR seed markets interact. The combination of reports by TASAI and the SSSA+ Model will help seed companies, government, donors and projects that are investing in seed gain a better understanding about how farmers are engaging with seed markets and this may assist in decision support for future seed interventions in the areas of emergency, informal and formal seed systems. This type of information, which covers both formal and informal methods, is not easily available and the analysis and sharing these results with teams in country will help to socialize information across teams who may not normally interact. The goal being to design innovative investments that help more farmers access better quality seed, which fits their needs.

Sub IR 2.1.2 Crop and seed platforms that link formal and informal seed systems are catalyzed and supported.

Activity 2.1.2.1 Facilitate linkages of existing and new identified seed producers and suppliers to grain off-takers trading in the yellow bean growth corridor in Tanzania (Mission). CIAT in collaboration with a total of 30 seed actor from 6 different categories (seed companies, CBOs, grain off takers, grain local market, agro dealers), will develop strategies to respond to grain demand within the yellow bean corridors in Manyara and Kilimanjaro and western Tanzania (Kagera). A minimum of 250,000 farmers will be informed of the benefits of quality seed through multi-media channels (radio announcements and talk shows, leaflets and posters, WhatsApp groups).

This activity will expand the market frontier for new yellow bean varieties by linking formal seed sales with informal seed producers and leveraging grain traders and ‘mom and pop shops’ to sell small packets of certified or other quality seed in last mile areas. The approach and strategies for linking seed producers and suppliers to grain off takers will be developed drawing from the work of yellow bean characterization carried out in FY19. The process of validating this model starts with the socialization of yellow bean characterization study results (linked to activity 1.2.1.1), drawing lessons from the study to inform the development – in consultation with Excellence in Breeding (CGIAR) and new Crop Improvement Innovation Lab (Cornell) - of a seed road map19. To achieve this, CIAT will facilitate an interactive workshop between the 100 grain traders and seed producers to match seed demand derived from the grain market to the seed production plans. One workshop will identify any other intervention that contribute to realization of the seed production and market plans in collaboration with TARI, seed producers and traders, and TOSCI. At the same time, building on the work of AVISA, CIAT will develop information tools (radio talks and messages, variety leaflets and posters, WhatsApp messages) and outlet-based field demonstrations targeting 250,000 grain farmers. Three Seed companies, 50 agrodealers, 10 traders and 20 QDS producers will be trained on bean seed business management, client-oriented marketing strategies for increased bean commercialization and expansion in the yellow bean corridor.20 CIAT will facilitate planning, performance monitoring, and learning about progress via various multi stakeholders’ platforms (workshop of 100 participants and WhatsApp).

The work will leverage AVISA and PABRA’s activities in establishing bean corridors, particularly its demand led breeding and early generation seed production work in Tanzania for regular updating and adjusting seed road map to respond to the emerging new market opportunities in the corridor. The outputs of this activity

19 This is a seed production plan designed to respond to the grain and seed demands within the corridor in a specified timeframe 20 https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/80540

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are three developed strategies to support local seed business in production and marketing linked to grain market demands (variety and volume) and a study report on seed commercialization.

OI will evaluate and then develop gross margin analysis (inclusive of locally available financing rates) for supply-side bean agribusinesses and farmer demand-side production (Linked to 1.2.1.2).

IR 2.2 Strengthened interface and collaboration between development and relief to resilient and market-based seed systems Sub IR 2.2.1 Seed System Security Assessments in Feed the Future Crisis Hotspot areas (focus on formal, semi-formal and informal seed systems) are adapted and scaled.

Activity 2.2.1.2 Backstop real-time data components of SSSA exercise in the field and pretest digital data collection tool (Mission). Tied to activity 2.2.1.1, this activity will comprise elements on training, data management, report writing and decision-making. The plan for backstopping will involve training and oversight for data entry staff; cleaning, managing, analyzing and visualizing data; and final dissemination of results in reports or presentation and other formats. To be more efficient and articulate in data collection, S34D embarked on digitizing collection templates into a mobile data collection tool. It is imperative to have a harmonized dataset across all SSSAs conducted to ensure the tools for analysis to generate information for decision-making are all comparable, up-to-date and practical. Thus, this activity hinges not only on the need to build capacities of specialists, but also on enabling alignment of data to a pool of datasets that describe the seed security situations globally, and over time. To achieve working state of the tool, S34D will pre-test this new mobile tool (on subscribed SurveyCTO framework) for the household questionnaire. This can be achieved in an actual SSSA context, and the output of this activity is a tested mobile tool. Activity 2.2.1.3 Expand and pre-test mobile data collection tool for SSSAs into trader analysis including mapping (Mission). CIAT will explore with informal sector actors (tied to activity 1.2.1.1 and 2.2.2.1) how to expand and pretest a mobile data collection tool for SSSAs, including potential seed and grain trader analysis that includes mapping ability. As traders sell the grain and potential seed, it will be enriching to see how seed is sourced and/or sold by geographies. The new component allows mapping of seed flows into farmer production systems during an emergency. Its development and embedding into the final tool will enrich outputs for improved decision-making. In chronic stress zones, there is need for development of a complementary and improved decision-making tool to look at large seed issues (supply and demand) in times of stress and early recovery. This comprehensive tool will be ready for pretest (Q3) and deployment by Q4. The output is a SSSA test case using digital system for data collection. Activity 2.2.1.4 Develop SSSA Macro Assessment Tool for cyclone (or other disaster) affected areas (Mission). This activity will upon activities 2.2.1.2 and 2.2.1.3. CIAT and CRS will work with stakeholders in the development of an SSSA Macro-Assessment tool that investigates seed security across a region. An example under consideration is the cyclone-affected area in Southern Africa that covers multiple countries, e.g. Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. Full deployment will rely on broader stakeholder (private sector companies, relief aid agencies, donors and NARS) discussion and accepted recommendation. Sub IR 2.2.2 Emergency and humanitarian responses that link relief to development, especially links to private sector and formal and biodiverse suppliers are developed and promoted.

Activity 2.2.2.1 Expand informal yellow bean seed and grain analysis to better understand informal traders as backbone of seed security and grain in emergency and chronic stress areas in Uganda and Kenya (Mission). CIAT-PABRA will continue work with the CRS policy team in the yellow bean study considering implications in EHAR in Q3 and Q4. This activity will expand upon the work in Tanzania to Uganda, countries with spillover effects to Burundi and Rwanda. Yellow bean seed and grain flows will be mapped in Q3 through to Q4 and this will follow a synthesis of the findings and dissemination of the same to relevant

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stakeholders (seed companies, NARS and private sector processors) in Q1 and Q2. Ultimately, CIAT-PABRA and CRS will seek to understand and highlight informal traders as the backbone of seed security and grain in emergency and chronic stress areas. The outputs of this activity are two final reports of the yellow bean study, two policy briefs, and information tools produced and shared. Sub IR 2.2.4 Shock-responsive and resilience-based models--by crisis type, crop profile, and broad agro-ecological system are developed and tested.

2.2.4.1 Develop and test tool to assess resilience of seed systems, building on PCMA (Mission). CRS will adapt the OFDA-funded Pre-Crisis Market Assessment (PCMA) for seed systems, with intent to identify breaks in formal and informal channels in crisis periods and separate from or annex to SSSA. Depending on the output, this could be considered as an annex to SSSA, or simply a seed focused PCMA adaptation. As much as possible, the EHAR component will seek to develop, trial and recommend tools that aid in the assessment of resilience of seed systems. This will be best achieved with greater stakeholder engagement – their direct involvement in development and testing of the tool to assess resilience of seed systems. The draft tool will be developed during Q1 and Q2 with testing taking place during Q3 and Q4; testing location are still to be confirmed, but likely Niger or Malawi. The output will be production of a draft methodology and possible testing to produce a case study.

CCIR-1 Improved effective policy implementation and regulatory formulation for pluralistic seed systems CCIR 1.1 Country specific seed policy road maps developed.

Activity CCIR 1.1.2. Develop country specific policy and regulatory systems maps for seed sector in Uganda, Malawi, Niger and Senegal (Mission). CRS and NML will develop a library of Regulatory Systems Maps, for Uganda, Malawi, Niger, and Senegal. These maps visually depict key legal and regulatory processes – and their implementation – step-by-step, highlighting regulatory bottlenecks, tradeoffs, institutional roles and mandates, and best practices. The Regulatory Systems Maps are based on NML’s methodology for promoting the integration of social and economic considerations into design and implementation of economic laws and regulations system-wide. The Regulatory Systems Maps have been a constructive tool for supporting evidence-based advocacy and reforms and are also a useful means for collecting comparative data and assessing interoperability of different regulatory processes and procedures across borders. The maps enable governments and business entities to prioritize options for regulatory reforms, and can also be part of an inclusive process for creating an action-focused regulatory reform agenda based on public-private dialogue and agreed-upon roadmaps. The output of this activity is published country-specific seed regulatory maps21 that are shared in the public domain.

CCIR 1.2. Practices to expand and liberalize seed quality possibilities developed and implemented; market outlets and venue expanded; counterfeit seed issues addressed; free seed distribution restricted.

21 Regulatory Systems Maps synthesize a set of laws, regulations, and practical information to map the flow of a regulatory process from start to finish. Regulatory Systems Maps visually depict national fertilizer regulatory processes and comparatively maps these regulations across countries. Used alone, the maps are a useful way to demonstrate the true complexities of administrative processes, especially in complex sectors where the rules regulating a particular action or activity may be housed in multiple separate legal instruments. Taken together, the maps allow qualitative comparisons across legal systems. The language used in laws and regulations rarely tracks exactly evenly between systems. The visual depictions are better suited for comparing the different possible routes to achieve similar goals, and therefore lead to more creative and efficient solutions to legal challenges. Regulatory Systems Maps appear in all NML's legal guides and assessments, and NML is currently working on expanding the reach and impact of these maps by digitizing them to make them even more interactive.

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Activity CCIR 1.2.1 Assess policy implications of the niche market business model in Kenya (Mission). Activity CCIR 1.2.2 Assess policy implications of the yellow bean field study in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda (Mission).

Activity CCIR 1.2.4 Market development and deployment for non-hybrid seed systems using a “Standard seed” strategy in Kenya (Mission). Many seed companies are reluctant to trade in non-hybrid crops and to develop seed for less commercialized parts of the country. The result is that the commercial parts of the country offer broad access to seed, whereas agrodealers who work in the more marginal areas only stock seed for a limited range of crops. If the costs of seed production are the challenge for companies to work with non-hybrid crops, and if public institutions and projects want to provide sustainable access to quality seed, then the use of standard seed would provide them with an option to broaden their crop portfolio and invest in more sustainable methods to supply the hard to reach farmers.

S34D is already working with KEPHIS on the standard seed protocols (activity CCIR 2.1.1) and S34D (AE, CIAT) will test this alternative standard seed class with a few targeted seed companies. S34D will develop a training in the inspection protocols and work with seed companies to assess new business strategies using this approach. The new seed class and options for pack sizes and crops would be promoted using a marketing and awareness campaign that would use demonstration plots, farmer days, radio and other means to increase farmer awareness and build their confidence in the value of using quality seed to improve their production for food and sales. This type of approach could be integrated into the AVCD project and could be adapted to improve sales of fodder crops, and by doing so, link with the KCDMSD activity. The output is the development of protocols for testing standard seed in Kenya, test methodology in a target value chain and gain insights into commercial application for seed companies. Activity CCIR 1.2.5 Increased use of Quality Declared Seed in Uganda (Mission). As indicated in the TASAI reports, most seed companies focus on 3-4 crops and the majority of earnings come from sales of hybrid seed. These include hybrid maize, vegetables and some companies specialize in other crops, such as sorghum, beans and local fruits and indigenous African vegetables. However, sales from self-pollinated crops have been meager; therefore, seed companies are reluctant to trade into the less commercialized areas of the country and most agrodealers only stock seed for a limited range of crops.

Part of the reason for not investing in self-pollinated crops is the high cost of full certification for these crops. If costs can be reduced, with a less costly inspection process, then it is likely that more seed companies would produce and sell QDS for the less profitable crops. Farmers would then gain improved access to seed for a broader range of crops. This is important for both nutrition and soil fertility. If costs of seed production are the challenge, and if public institutions and projects want to provide sustainable access to quality seed, then the use of standard seed or QDS would provide them with an option to broaden their crop portfolio and invest in more sustainable methods to supply harder to reach farmers.

S34D will provide basic training in production systems and financial analysis to show the benefits and then a system for establishing seed grower groups or working with larger farmers to establish standard seed or QDS plots. To achieve this, the seed needs to be promoted through standard methods, such as demonstration plots, farmer days, radio and other means to increase farmer awareness and build their confidence in the value of using quality seed to improve their production for food and sales. ISSD and NuTech, in northern Uganda, are using these methods and reduces the costs of seed production for seed producers. This approach would commence with support to the NuYok project and then integrate with other similar projects and work with relief institutions who currently rely on regular free seed options. The output of this activity would be a more sustainable system to link farmers to input markets, and decreased use of free seed that cause market distortions and decrease resiliency of farming communities.

CCIR 1.3 Linkages and coordination of seed development efforts through consolidation of data and evidence are strengthened.

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Activity CCIR 1.3.1 Conduct a learning study about private sector seed certification processes, approaches and counterfeiting measures in Zambia (Mission). Prior to conducting a learning study in Zambia on privatization of seed certification and the role of national seed policies, CRS will coordinate with the Southern Africa Seed Trade Project. This study will assess counterfeiting measures in the country, and S34D will use this study to inform policymakers in Malawi and regional stakeholders, such as AGRA, about the steps, sequencing, priorities, and other building blocks necessary to implement privatization of seed certification and to combat counterfeiting (linked with formal sector activity 1.1.1.6). The output of this activity is a report with learnings from Zambia and a report on stakeholder consultations in Malawi and Uganda by Q4. This information will be used to share with Malawi and Uganda national stakeholders to assess the building blocks and needs to institutionalize similar systems in their countries. It will also help to draw next steps for the Missions. This activity will be coordinated with the Southern Africa Mission’s Seed Trade Project.

CCIR-2 Established enhanced quality information flows for seed systems CCIR 2.1 Institutional and public policy information is better digitized.

Activity CCIR 2.1.1 Complement the digital seed catalogue and develop a reference library for crop varieties in Malawi (Mission). CRS and CIAT will support the Department of Agriculture Research Services (DARS) and Seed Services Unit (SSU), in close collaboration with USAID’s Southern Africa Regional Seed Trade Project (STP) and AGRA, with the further development of the Malawi digital seed catalogue (MDSC) with proper descriptions and genetic characteristics for all released crop varieties in Malawi, with an initial focus on legumes. A digital seed catalogue for Malawi is critical to ensure that Malawi is competitive in the regional harmonization framework under the new seed bill. SSU has already developed protocols and works in conjunction with the Gene Bank. S34D will consult with SSU and DARS to determine what data they would like and is required to be included in the Malawi digital seed catalogue to ensure the varieties in the catalogue are compliant with the ISTA and OECD requirements and ensure that the Malawi varieties can be added seamlessly into the regional SADC seed catalogue. The regional SADC seed catalogue has been established and is currently being developed with assistance from Feed the Future Southern Africa Seed Trade Project. S34D will work together with seed actors who have paper-based seed description of released crop varieties, like DARS (maize, legumes, cassava), ICRISAT (legumes, cereals), CIAT (common bean, groundnut, pigeon pea, sorghum, millet, rice), Ag Diversification Activity (soy and groundnuts) and others. The released varieties data will be transferred to a digital platform—the Malawi Digital Seed Catalogue (MDSG). Once a seed bill is enacted, this MDSG platform will be housed in SSU and managed by SSU (later transitioning to NSC) with support from S34D. To not duplicate efforts, S34D will coordinate with AGRA, who is also providing DNA fingerprinting services to the SSU, which varieties will be analyzed by whom. S34D will provide DNA fingerprinting analysis and will liaise with breeders from ICRISAT, CIAT, DARS, and LUANAR to compare DNA characteristics with the parental stock. The DNA fingerprinting results for each variety will be included on the MDSG and shared with the University of Minnesota database. UoM is working with the Center for Agriculture Transformation (CAT) in Malawi and is collecting genetic data through their GEMS22 program. S34D will complement this effort by providing genetic results and information to UoM and other stakeholders. Activity CCIR 2.1.2 Digitize the regulatory seed road maps in Uganda, Malawi, Niger, and Senegal (Mission).

22 G.E.M.S™ is an international agro-informatics initiative jointly led by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI)

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Linked with CCIR 1.1.2 above, CRS and NML will digitize the seed regulatory road maps developed for Uganda, Malawi, Niger, and Senegal to make the maps interactive. Outputs will be digitized maps at country levels. Activity CCIR 2.1.3 Facilitate the modernizing of the seed industry with digital information management to support improved quality assurance / quality control (QA/ QC) in Kenya (Mission). There is increasing interest by KEPHIS, KALRO, STAK and the leading seed companies to follow the lead of other countries such as Zambia and South Africa, to modernize the operations within the seed sector. These efforts aim to improve to provide greater quality assurance and quality control procedures for seed production and certification (QA/QC systems). As part of this transitional process, KEPHIS and the seed companies are exploring ways to upgrade the underlying processes within their seed systems making the process faster, better and lower cost.

KEPHIS is working with Trademark East Africa to build a digital platform and portal, which will be one of the pivotal tools used to support better information management for the seed sector. Any major technology shift, will however, also require upgrading the underlying processes, business relationships that will apply to the production, ordering and procurement of EGS from KALRO and KEPHIS as well the seed companies reporting on the production, inspection, warehousing and sales of their certified seed. In the new system, KEPHIS will reduce their level of direct inspection of seed company fields, and the companies will hire new or additional staff to support self- regulated inspection of their EGS and certified seed production. The companies will then provide their seed returns to KEPHIS through a digital portal. Previous donor support has enabled key players in the seed industry to visit and learn about similar seed systems upgrades that have been made in other countries such as RSA, Zambia and the United States. In these cases, the modernization reduced some Government costs in terms of inspection, as firms took on these roles, allowing them to focus on other pressing issues. This modernization process will require changes in some operational and management actions by the seed producers, changes in how information is collected and shared, and shifts in how KEPHIS and the seed companies use and get value from the digital information management systems. All stages in the transition have certain complications and achieving a smooth transition could benefit from effective assessments, expert facilitation and capacity building.

Under this activity, S34D will work with several of the seed companies that have shown interest in hiring their own seed inspectors and paying for training in both inspection and use of technology to support the upgrading process. S34D will identify experts to support in both the training and use of technologies that will allow seed companies to report their seed production returns through a digital information portal or system. There are several existing seed information management systems available as off the shelf, Software as a Service (SaaS) offers that could be tested and evaluated with the various actors in the system. Support in this process, will help the various members to gather information on performance and share the pros and cons of the systems. Support to STAK during this period may also be helpful as STAK may take on some of the inspections and reporting roles for companies who do not wish to invest too heavily at this time, particularly the emerging companies.

Under this activity, S34D will also build STAK’s capacity in providing seed certification services to seed companies and assist them to use new operating procedures with a digital QA platform, in ways that enabling STAK members to realize value from the upgrade and use of new technologies.

To achieve this, S34D will provide seed systems expertise and technology advice, to support and facilitate the various partners in their design, testing and intervention phases. The type of work this includes is to support inclusive dialogue and proto-typing or testing of systems and technologies. This will be done through a series of design meetings, capacity building sessions, test runs and performance monitoring events. S34D draws on expert support for business process development and in building capacity for actors from KEPHIS, KALRO, STAK and the private sector to use and gain value from the digital information platforms.

The output will be: (i) analysis of key processes that will be upgraded through the new management system; (ii) review of digital management systems targeting different levels of seed system mature businesses to

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emerging companies; (iii) capacity building of 2-3 STAK staff and 10-15 seed company inspection teams within target companies; (iv) provision of coaching to 10-15 target companies on a fee based service to support the transition to the new digital seed management systems; and (v) annual reporting on effectiveness of transition to a private sector led seed inspection system.

CCIR 2.3 Last mile markets for new and quality-assured seed varieties are enabled by developing, piloting, adapting, and scaling feed-forward and feedback mechanisms that loop farmers’ preferences, as well as provide information on new varieties and quality assured seed Activity CCIR 2.3.3 Stop bad seed in Uganda (Mission). Counterfeit seed is an increasing problem in Uganda and levels of either poor quality or fake seed have reached concerning levels. This problem is a result of several factors, such as lack of inspection services and lack of mechanisms to monitor poor seed. The problem of fake seed is increasing with large schemes to provide farmers with free seed and short-term procurements from both government and public aid and relief agencies, who are opportunistically buying bulk certified seed from companies for short-term distribution to farmers in need.

S34D (CRS, AE), in close collaboration with MAIFF and USTA, will test an SMS call back method to enable farmers to check on authenticity and introduce tamper proof labels. SMS call back method is a low-cost strategy that enable farmers to provide rapid feedback on seed quality. Success in the use of this method, will improve confidence in the market as farmers will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the seed certifier about low quality and fake seed. This will help to highlight bad actors and will build greater loyalty in the national seed industry. The SMS service allows the certifier or USTA to identify hotspots of counterfeit or low-quality seed and act quickly to alert farmers and shut down agrodealers who are selling fake seed. S34D is testing this method in Kenya and plans to introduce the hotline approach into Tanzania with a Stop bad Seed campaign (activity CCIR 2.3.2.).

Kenya has recently introduced a tamper proof labelling system, and this has been adopted by certifiers and seed companies. This method is proving to be very successful in providing farmers with a rapid authenticity check and a means of reducing the ability of counterfeiters to sell low-quality and fake seed into the market. The output of this seed systems process is that it builds credibility across the industry. The use of tamper-proof labels provides the industry with the ability to trace seed back to suppliers, seed companies and to link back stocks to EGS systems. The use of labels provides farmers with the ability to test products for authenticity immediately. The output of this activity is improved consumer confidence, and this translates into consistent buying from commercial and upcoming farmers for quality seed. The use of the label feedback information can also be utilized to develop a more sophisticated analysis that can support better inventory management and offer prospects for market demand and forecasting options.

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Annex E. Mission-funded Activity Budget

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Annex F. S34D Organogram

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