Why quality seeds are among the most valuable currency in climate finance for Africa

General Seeds

Ethiopia

Technology

Kenya

Supply

Published May 16, 2023

Tridge summary

This article emphasizes the critical need for quality seeds to support small-scale agriculture in climate-vulnerable countries, particularly in Africa. It highlights the benefits of advanced seed varieties in enhancing food production and improving livelihoods, with examples showing up to a 20% productivity increase for nine EU crops over 15 years. However, access to these improved seeds remains limited, despite their potential to bolster food and nutrition security amidst climate change. The article advocates for increased investment and collaboration between the private sector and stakeholders like NGOs and public institutions to improve seed access and quality in countries like Rwanda. It stresses the importance of developing robust regulatory frameworks to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality seeds, which is crucial for fostering resilient farming systems and combating the effects of climate change.

Disclaimer: The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

VAUD, Switzerland, May 16 2023 (IPS) - At long last, momentum is growing for an overdue rethink of climate finance and development assistance to support countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis. But while investment, aid and compensation are all much needed, another form of currency is equally valuable for climate-vulnerable countries that are also highly dependent on small-scale agriculture: quality seeds. The latest generation of seeds offers varieties adapted to specific climatic circumstances to provide more reliable food production, as well as improved incomes and livelihoods for farmers, having boosted productivity by 20 per cent for nine key crops in the European Union over 15 years. Yet improved varieties of many of the world’s staple cereals, vegetables and pulses are too often inaccessible for farmers in Africa, despite having some of the greatest exposure to climate extremes. For instance, in East Africa, certified quality seed potatoes – which produce higher ...

Source: Ipsnews