Seed Producer Cooperative in Seed Production and Marketing in

Oromia Region, Ethiopia:

Experience of SPC supported by LSB Project & Oromia Seed Enterprise

Abdo Woyema

Introduction Oromia Seed Enterprise

is public seed enterpriseestablished in 2008

Mandate: -Seed production of different classes of seed,

Processing & marketing

-Seed extension (demonstration & popularization)

-Technical support to seed producers

Local Seed Business projectStarted since 2009

Joint effort of: 4 Universities, OARI, OSE &

Wageningen UR CDI

Covers 4 Regions

36 LSB innovation sites (15 in Oromia region)

- existing farmers group

Staff: Seed expert, Agri-business expert, Farmer

organization expert

Seed expert

Omo Nada SPC

Location : Jima Zone

Distance from AA:306km

Altitude: 500-3500 masl

Start seed production since 2006

Producing : Maize hybrids (BH-660)

Stakeholders -Public: BoA, Coop office, OSE, ESE,

Jima FCU, BARC

NGO- World Vision

Objectives To strengthen groups of farmers to become technically

better equipped, more commercial, better organized & more autonomous in their seed entrepreneurship.

To increase seed availability & access in the region at local level

Conducting baseline study

Analyze & document SPCs

challenges & opportunities in

seed

business

Sharing Analysis with Local &

Regional stakeholders

Action plan preparation

Business plan preparation

Capacity building -technical

support

The Role of the Institutes in the project

Cont… Parental line provision/ seed source

Field inspection

Facilitate seed certification agency-external

Provide seed sheller, seed sacks

Purchase raw seed

Role of the community in the project

• Undertake overall farm activities

Land preparation Planting Weeding Fertilizing Detasseling Harvesting Shelling

• Mobilized & organize farmers –motivate on seed quality enhancement

• Return raw seed as per the agreement

• Strong participation on meeting & training

Benefit of the Institutes from the project

• Seed availability at local level

- Quality, Quantity, time

• Reduce seed demand & supply gap

• Trust with SPC improved

• Toward Achieving its Mission

• Process & market seed- Profit (OSE)

Benefit of the community from the project

• Capacity/skill of quality seed production improved

• Farm level seed secured/ nearby access to seed

• Seed business skill improved

• Decision making capacity on major issues increased

• Better income generation

Professionalism

• Strong belief in that organized farmers can produce quality

seed at local level, with few technical interventions

• Creating business mind in the organized farmers

help farmers to stay in the seed business

General Conclusion

Small scale seed producer farmers can produce quality seed at

local level when technically supported.

Authority on planning & decision making by them selves-

farmers to develop owner ship sense.

Experienced SPCs can contribute a lot for sustainable seed

supply at local level.

Organized farmers/SPCs participation in seed production &

marketing at local level is effective.

Thank U ALL !