Our colleagues Nicola Francesconi, Lisa de Graaf, Boudy van Schagen, Coen Buvelot, and Sandra Quintero were in South Sudan from the 17 to 21 February for the annual A3SEED project retreat. They sent us their dispatch from Juba.

Since 2021, KIT Institute has collaborated with IFDC on the A3-SEED project (Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness) in South Sudan. In February, our team worked with IFDC partners and held a series of events, including a workshop with seed companies to assess progress, a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue, a strategic planning day with the IFDC team, and a meeting with the Dutch Embassy.

The Seed Companies Workshop

On Tuesday, 18 February, we gathered with our IFDC partners and representatives from the 9 seed companies part of the A3SEED project. During this day, the team held a workshop to assess the seed value chain, customer profiles, the impact of A3SEED’s support, and the future priorities of the participating seed companies. KIT Institute together with the IFDC team facilitated active discussions, group work and plenaries allowing them to map the seed value chain, understand the impact of the A3SEED project, assess the inclusion work done so far, and strategically plan for the multi-stakeholder event.

Seed companies were able to look back on their work, the important role, impact and challenges to move forward. The main conclusions of this workshop were the need to continue strengthening their capacities, working in collaboration with outgrowers, agro dealers, government and other key national actors, and enhancing their role and visibility, particularly as a collective via the STASS (Seed Trade Association of South Sudan) to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Facilitation of a workshop by KIT Institute and IFDC for South Sudanese Seed companies, 18 February 2025. Credit: Lisa de Graaf

Is South Sudan Ready for a Market-Based Seed Sector?

This high-level dialogue “Shaping the Future of South Sudan’s Seed Sector: From Aid Dependency to Market-Driven Solutions” was hosted and facilitated by KIT Institute and IFDC on Wednesday, 19 February. During this day representatives of the Seed Companies, the South Sudanese national and local government, outgrowers, agro dealers, CSOs and donors such as the Dutch Embassy, the European Union and the Swiss Embassy engaged in a workshop focused on the transition away from aid, into an independent and market-driven seed sector. IFDC, STASS, and KIT Institute set the stage on the current situation of the seed sector by providing presentations that provided evidence to the main question of the day: is South Sudan ready to move away from Seed Aid?

This event was highly appreciated by all actors. It was extremely significant and satisfactory to have had the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, as well as from the local Ministry of Agriculture in Yambio. Moreover, the participation from numerous out growers and agro dealers showed the interest and impact the A3SEED project has in the country. They, together with different CSOs, worked side by side with the government and donor representatives, thought on ways to continue mobilising and joining forces to strengthen the Seed Sector in South Sudan. The presence of the Swiss Embassy, the European Union and the Dutch Embassy reflected the clear interest of the donor community in the A3SEED objectives. We particularly praise the active participation of the representatives of the Dutch Embassy who engaged in every single session throughout the day with genuine interest and enthusiasm. We appreciate all the contributions made by the participants of this workshop which will be reflected in the coming activities and plans of A3SEED.

One of the key conclusions of this event is the importance of seed quality assurance to contribute to the seed value chain improvement. In South Sudan, institutional buyers, who dominate the market, require certified seeds before making purchases. Establishing a formal quality assurance system would create significant market opportunities for seed companies, enabling them to expand. Participants agree on the need to develop a quality assurance and accreditation system through a bottom-up approach.

Presentation by KIT Institute at the high-level stakeholder event on the impact of seeds from the private sector, 19 February 2025. Credit: Coen Buvelot

Moving Ahead

The strategic planning day we had with our IFDC partners focused on the way forward as the A3SEED phase 1 is coming to an end. Discussions around processes and outcomes took place and allowed us to have important collective reflections on collaborations and working styles. In addition, the 2025 work plan was established, including strategies towards phase 2 and activities to optimise the sustainability of the programme. The meeting with the Dutch Embassy was fundamental as it provided insights into such alternatives. Having the donor perspective offered relevant information to incorporate in our joint work moving forward.