How we work

SeedNL is a Dutch initiative that gives access to quality seeds for farming communities.

Our method? Connect. Share. Grow together.

Connect

We are a unique and diverse network of knowledge institutes, companies, governmental and non-profit organisations that share the ambition : give access to quality seeds for farmers in developing countries to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

We share knowledge and engage our project partners in action. Together with our stakeholders, we develop innovative solutions to address the bottlenecks that prevent the seed sectors in low- and middle-income economies from reaching its full potential.

Grow together

We join forces with both national and international organisations to enable sustainable and inclusive seed sector transformation and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 by 2030.

Our guiding principles

One SeedNL community: SeedNL promotes transparency and collaboration amongst all stakeholders as this is essential for dealing effectively with the growing complexity and current pace of change in seed systems development.

Addressing needs of farmers and their communities: SeedNL pays attention to local demands and context specific circumstances in the development of seed sector initiatives. SeedNL also recognizes the inherent complexity of the seed sector and the interactions amongst multiple informal and formal seed systems. SeedNL finds it essential to not only address these needs by increasing synergy between existing projects but also through identification of needs and gaps that have not been addressed in the current markets to achieve progress in terms of relation to SDG2.

Complementary roles. SeedNL recognizes the complementary roles stakeholders can play in the development of the seed sector. Including and not limited to actors from policy, private sector, research institutes and civil society organisations. Farmers, both as consumers and actors in conservation and seed system development, should be included.

Country focus: Strengthening the seed sector in developing countries and where possible in emerging markets. Focus lies on the following and most vulnerable regions: Sahel, Horn of Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This will continue to be accompanied by efforts in other countries where a significant improvement of food systems is possible or where a contribution to the eradication of hunger (SDG 2) can be made.

Seed system thinking: Partnerships and projects reflect on seed system bottlenecks and opportunities, moving towards demand-driven and country-owned, integrated seed systems that recognize multiple formal and informal scaling routes, build capacity at local level and catalyse positive and lasting change, leading to greatly enhanced opportunities for employment and income generation - in particular for youth and women.

Based on ISSD Guiding Principles

Picture references - Header from photographer Vince Veras - Other pictures from left to right: Rijk Zwaan, photographer Vince Veras and Jen Theodore - Footer from photographer Freddie Collins

“Show me your seed and

I'll show you your harvest.”

— Matshona Dhliwayo