Quality Seed Production Project for Smallholder Farmers

In Ethiopia, about 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture. Agricultural production accounts for over 40% of the GDP. In the Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty 2006 (PASDEP), the Government of Ethiopia gives highest priority to the agricultural sector. However, agricultural productivity remains low due to the country’s high dependency on traditional agricultural techniques, which hinders the stable production and distribution of food. The under-supply of quality seeds is another contributing factor to low agricultural productivity. This is caused mainly by the lack of production techniques, quality control, and a marketing strategy. There is an urgent need for technical assistance for quality seed production that can contribute to increasing agricultural productivity. The project objective was to increase the production and consumption of quality seeds by introducing economical and sustainable seed production techniques. Four target districts have been selected for intervention in the three regions where a total of around 80% of Ethiopia’s crops are supplied.