A workshop on assessment of seed sector performances and regional strategic directions in Hararghe zones was organized from November 22-23, 2018 at Ras Hotel in Harar City.
The overall objective of the workshop was to assess performance of seed production, marketing and distribution in Hararghe zones and to identify key challenges and drive recommendations. The workshop discussed how seed sector stakeholders can play a stronger role in improving seed sector challenges and thereby ensuring availability and access to quality seeds.
A total of 41 seed sector stakeholders including officials and representatives from regional, zonal and woreda bureaus of agriculture (BoA) and cooperative promotion agencies (CPA), Oromia Seed Enterprise, Assela Seed Laboratory, Mechara and Fedis Agricultural Research centers, Haramaya University, Chercher Oda Bultum and Afran Kalo farmers’ cooperative unions, Chiro National Sorghum Research Center, and BENEFIT-ISSD Program management unit participated in the workshop.
Five plenary sessions were held which focused on key topical issues that require attention, knowledge and evidence needed to guide decision makers. These issues include assessment of seed sector performance in Hararghe: production, utilization, marketing and coordination; current seed marketing system in Oromia Region: conventional seed marketing vs. direct seed marketing system practices and challenges; Ethiopian seed system and strategic directions; regional seed sector strategic directions and institutionalization of pilot innovation projects; and seed law and regulation implementation challenges.
These were complimented by technical discussions and recommendation sessions held in the two-day-event. The workshop was a platform for many recommendations to improve seed sector performances in Hararghe zones which will be operationalized in 2018 and 2019.