Innovations in Variety Release & Seed Certification Systems in Africa and Asia

Seed systems across Africa and Asia are evolving rapidly, with countries exploring new ways to make variety release and seed certification more efficient, transparent and responsive to farmers’ needs. Developed under the Ghana Seed Partnership, this knowledge product brings together practical examples of innovations that can inspire ongoing discussions in Ghana and beyond.

This publication looks at common challenges faced by governments, seed companies, producers and farmers, including lengthy and costly variety registration procedures, limited capacity for certification services, counterfeit seed, and restricted access to new varieties and quality seed. It then presents country examples from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa and Myanmar, highlighting reforms such as digital seed portals, decentralised seed inspection, quality seals, Quality Declared Seed systems, and seed tracking and tracing tools.

For Ghana, the product points to two areas with particular potential: the development of a digital seed portal and the piloting of traceability systems to help address counterfeit and illegally packaged seed. By sharing lessons from different contexts, this knowledge product aims to support dialogue among Ghanaian seed sector stakeholders on practical options to strengthen variety release and seed certification systems. Access the full report below.