Africa-Wide Rice Seed Networks Take Shape: Landmark Workshop Charts Path for Food Security

M'bé, Côte d'Ivoire, 27 August 2025 - A three-day Africa-wide workshop on strengthening rice seed networks has set a new course for transforming the continent's rice sector. Convened by Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and partners from 25-27 August 2025 in M'bé, Côte d'Ivoire, the event brought together 123 stakeholders from 18 African countries, including seed enterprises, millers, regulators, researchers, meteorological agencies, farmer organizations, and digital solution providers.

Against the backdrop of rising rice demand and persistent seed system challenges, participants committed to revitalizing national and regional seed networks, integrating digital traceability platforms, and expanding access to climate-smart rice varieties. The workshop marked the inaugural meeting of what many hope will become a continental movement to secure Africa's rice self-sufficiency.

Tackling Seed System Challenges

Africa's rice sector continues to grapple with counterfeit seeds, weak distribution systems, and poor traceability. "Quality seeds remain the cornerstone of Africa's rice transformation," said Dr. Futakuchi Koichi, Senior Scientist and Advisor to the Deputy Director General at AfricaRice, in his opening address. He called for stronger public-private partnerships to ensure that technologies reach farmers at scale.

Dr. Sali Ndindeng, Program Leader for Rice Sector Development at AfricaRice, emphasized the urgency of strengthening national seed networks. "In some seasons, seeds remain unsold while in others, demand outstrips supply. This mismatch undermines productivity and trust," he said. He urged countries to adopt digital tools like the eProd platform and to integrate climate services and early warning systems into seed planning.

Building Networks and Digital Solutions

A major outcome of the workshop was the commitment by all participating countries to establish or reinforce national seed network secretariats. Where none existed, interim officials were nominated. These structures will ensure better coordination, accountability, and transparency.

The workshop also endorsed the full onboarding of seed enterprises onto the eProd digital platform, enabling real-time monitoring of seed production, farmer demographics, and acreage planted. This innovation, already operational in eight countries under the TAAT II program, is expected to significantly reduce counterfeit seed circulation and improve planning.

Case studies from Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda illustrated both successes and weaknesses in seed governance-from Egypt's high-yield hybrid seed system to challenges of corruption and poor last-mile delivery in other contexts. As of August 2025, data collected from seed networks indicated that about 100,000 tons of certified seeds were produced in 2025.

Strengthening Regional Collaboration

The workshop reaffirmed support for COSEM-Riz, the Consortium of Seed Enterprises and Millers of Rice, which now includes members from 15 countries. By adopting shared codes of conduct, joint investments in demonstrations, and open licensing frameworks, COSEM-Riz aims to harmonize seed standards and strengthen regional markets.

Dr. Prem Bindraban, Deputy Director General of AfricaRice, stressed that "agribusiness must be at the heart of research, technology dissemination, and policy alignment. Private-sector engagement is essential to ensure innovations reach farmers at scale."

"Weaknesses in seed systems compromise the entire value chain. If we truly want rice self-sufficiency, we must invest in both Smart Valleys and strong seed supply systems." explained Dr. Sandra Miller, Chief Scientist of CGIAR.

A Turning Point for Africa's Rice Sector

The outcomes of the workshop align with flagship AfricaRice initiatives such as Reverse Linkage, TAAT II, and REWARD, as well as the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program which focuses on varietal scaling, digital innovations, and climate resilience. Collectively, these efforts aim to accelerate the adoption of improved, certified rice seeds and boost farmer confidence.

By the close of the meeting, participants left with a renewed sense of urgency and collaboration. As one participant - Mr Kamara Mohamed from Liberia remarked: "It takes a village to build a resilient seed system. Today, that village has grown across Africa."