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 enterprise
 established in 2008
 Mandate: -Seed production of different classes of seed,
Processing & marketing
-Seed extension (demonstration & popularization)
-Technical support to seed producers
Local Seed Business project
 Started 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
The Role of the Institutes in the
project
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
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 seedProfit (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 selvesfarmers 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 !