TASAI Concludes Successful Seed Sector Assessment Workshop in Mogadishu 

Participants at the Seed Sector Assessment Workshop in Mogadishu

From May 6–7, 2025, TASAI (The African Seed Access Index) convened a pivotal dissemination workshop in Mogadishu, Somalia to share the findings of the ongoing seed sector assessment. Held at the Jazeera Place Hotel, the event attracted 51 participants, including key stakeholders in the Somalia seed sector from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, seed companies, seed cooperatives, agro-dealers, universities and development partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Somalia seed sector assessment was funded by the African Development Bank under the Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response to Food Crisis (SEPAREF) project.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sector Reform

The workshop was officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture, underscoring the Somali government’s commitment to revitalizing the national seed sector. Senior officials from the Ministry, including the Director General of the Somali Agricultural Regulatory and Inspection Service (SARIS) and Directors of Research and Extension, Plant Protection, and Food Security, actively participated, highlighting the government’s strong support for the initiative.

Financially supported by the African Union Commission, the workshop also benefited from the participation of international experts, including representatives from AGRA, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Plant Genetic Resource Centre, and the National Agricultural Research Organization in Uganda. Their involvement facilitated in-depth discussions on the Seed Systems Assessment Tool (SeedSAT) methodology and its application in Somalia.

Key Outcomes and Insights

• Validation of preliminary findings of the TASAI Somalia seed sector assessment (Country Report): Stakeholders reviewed and validated the preliminary findings of the TASAI seed sector assessment, ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the data collected.

• Data Collection using SeedSAT: Utilizing the Seed Systems Assessment Tool (SeedSAT) methodology, participants provided additional data across eight thematic areas, enriching the assessment’s depth and comprehensiveness.

• Identification of Priority Interventions: The workshop culminated in the development of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening Somalia’s seed sector, focusing on areas such as policy development, seed production, and distribution systems.

Path Forward

Building on the workshop’s outcomes, TASAI is set to finalize the TASAI Somalia country Seed Sector Assessment report, incorporating stakeholder feedback. The next steps include submitting the report to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the African Development Bank and engaging with partners to implement the identified interventions.

This workshop marks a significant milestone in TASAI’s commitment to enhancing seed sector performance across Africa, fostering collaborative efforts to ensure smallholder farmers have access to quality seeds for improved productivity and food security.