The Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP) Project Unit, based at Haramaya University (HU), convened a critical awareness-creation workshop on April 2, 2025, aimed at bolstering the capacity and collaboration of Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs) and key stakeholders in the region.
The workshop at the Afren Kalo Union Hall in Maya City brought together 54 participants from diverse institutions crucial to the seed value chain.
The event drew representatives from SPC executive committees, woreda and kebele agricultural bureaus, cooperative development agencies, the Zonal Bureau of Agriculture, the Cooperative Promotion Agency, and management and seed experts from Afren Kalo, Haramaya, and Burka Gudina Unions.
The primary objective was to enhance participants’ understanding of the ESP project’s support mechanisms and clarify the roles and responsibilities of cooperative members and institutional partners, fostering a collaborative approach towards sustainable SPC development.
Discussions focused on defining the roles and responsibilities of cooperative members in ensuring efficient seed systems, outlining the strategic contributions expected from institutional partners, identifying existing challenges faced by SPCs, and co-creating practical strategies to address these obstacles and strengthen cooperative operations.
Mr. Kemal Kasim, project coordinator at HU, emphasized the critical importance of shared responsibility and sustained engagement between SPCs and institutional stakeholders. “Ensuring the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality seeds at the right place and time is paramount,” he stated, highlighting the need for continuous collaboration and support.
Participants engaged in dynamic discussions and collaborative group work, pinpointing critical capacity gaps and challenges within the SPCs. The workshop culminated in the development of actionable recommendations and a commitment from all stakeholders to enhance coordination, technical support, and resource mobilization for seed producer cooperatives.
This initiative marks a significant step towards reinforcing the role of SPCs within Ethiopia’s seed system and establishing a foundation for more integrated and resilient seed systems in regions vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks.
Farmer Abduselam Ibrahim Egu, Chairman of the Seed Producer Cooperative Union from Chinaksen district, along with Abdulfatah Dawid, Deputy Chairman of the Gemechis Union Association, and Mrs. Rahana Ali, Chairperson of the Bisidimo Seed Producer Union from Babile District, acknowledged Haramaya University’s pivotal role. They highlighted the workshop’s valuable insights into quality seed production, control, and management. “Haramaya University has been a pillar of support,” noted one participant, emphasizing the practical knowledge gained from the training.
The workshop’s outcomes are expected to contribute significantly to the efficiency and sustainability of seed production in the region; ensuring farmers have access to high-quality seeds essential for agricultural productivity and food security.
Reporter: Shemsedin Mohammad
Photographer: Fuad Ahmed & Behailu Girma
Haramaya University Public and International Relations Directorate