Open source seed systems aim to counter the exclusive rights belief using open source agreements and accelerate the innovation potential of many instead of a few leading to access and availability of diverse seeds. We propose to accelerate and scale our current work with frontrunner- SMEs -local small and medium scale seed enterprises -, innovation driven multistakeholder platforms and lobby and advocacy a policy levels in an increasing number of African countries and globally.
Altaf Qadri
Implemented in
- Africa
- Asia / Pacific
Led by
Sector of activity
Food & Beverage
Type of initiative
Capacity Building & Implementation, Other
Type of lead actor
Civil society
Start date
01/01/2016
End date
01/01/2020
Submitted on:
18/03/2017Objectives
It is Hivos’ strategy to work through multi-stakeholder initiatives to support their search for alternatives. Together we build viable business models for open source seed systems, create wider alliances through joint prototyping, research and learning, and we accelerate and scale our approaches through lobbying and advocacy. The result is an expanding pool of genetic resources that is available now and in the future for unrestricted use by scientists, farmers, and gardeners.
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Outcome level
SCP monitoring and reporting
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annual report of the open source seed systems programme
annual report of the open source seed systems programme
Regions
Global / All regions
Lead organization
Hivos
Objective
Main goals 1. support the growth of open source seed enterprises through incubation, capacity building and investment 2. strengthen national alliances in Eastern Africa, create new alliances in Southern Africa and foster the emergence of a global alliance 3. strengthen and support civil society organisation to undertake evidence based advocacy for open source seed systems.
Achievements
Accomplishments ad 1- we successfully organised a capacity building workshop for ethical seed companies jointly with the Worldbank supported Kenya Climate information Centre. After the meeting at least one seed company received additional coaching and investment. The selected seedcompanies do not operate in the spotlights and their products are more focused on local use than export quality. Well appreciated by participants but also KCIC. With KCIC we signed an MoU to continue and deepen collaboration ad 2. In 3 countries in East Africa we created platforms that are starting to operate and come with new ideas for persistent problems in the seed sector. At global level linkages between like minded organisations are strengthened including exploration of alliance building with others like the Seeds Treaty secretariat ad 3. We helped organise and provided ideas and inputs for civil society organisations meetings on seed policy issues in Kenya and Tanzania. These have led to deepening insights in the possibility of adding Farmers rights into policy and legislation with room for open source seed systems
Impact and Results
See project website
Next steps and how to get involved
Contact: sfsprogramme@blw.admin.ch