April 25, 2024

Driving the Future of Sorghum: Stakeholder Engagement on Sorghum Seed System Change in Ghana

Staple Crops

Ghana

For years, the sorghum sector in Ghana has struggled with a significant challenge: accessing certified seeds. This problem has hampered crop production and limited market potential. Recognizing the need for change, 2SCALE, in partnership with Faranaya, embarked on a mission three years ago to revolutionize Ghana's sorghum seed sector. Together with government agencies, private companies, and research institutions, they launched the Informal Change Alliance in 2021, fundamentally restructuring the sorghum seed systems through a public-private approach.

The Journey of Transformation

The journey began with a clear objective: to enhance the availability of certified sorghum seeds in the market. The Informal Change Alliance united a diverse group of stakeholders, all committed to driving change. Over the years, the alliance has made remarkable strides, but the journey was not without its challenges.

As the Faranaya-2SCALE partnership approached its conclusion, a pivotal event was held on March 8th, 2024, in Bolgatanga, Ghana. This event was themed ‘Stakeholder Experience Sharing on Seed Systems Transformation under the Systems Change Trajectory.’ It was more than a celebration of past achievements; it was a strategic meeting aimed at addressing ongoing challenges and seizing new opportunities within the sector.

A Gathering of Minds

The event in Bolgatanga was a melting pot of ideas and experiences. It brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including farmer representatives, seed growers, government officials, researchers from the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), NGO representatives like Partnership for Sustainable Sorghum Sourcing in Ghana (P3SG), and private sector actors such as Callighana and Adama West Africa.

The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and a shared sense of purpose. Attendees were eager to discuss the impact of their collective efforts and chart a course for the future.

Jalil Zakaria, the Country Team Leader for 2SCALE Ghana, encapsulated the spirit of the event in his opening remarks.

The proactive approach by Faranaya and partners through the Informal Change Alliance has been pivotal in addressing challenges in the sorghum value chain, focusing on public and private strategies to enhance seed availability. It is important for stakeholders to share experiences regarding the system change initiative to identify the high points and challenges and suggest ways for improvement.

Strategic Insights and Future Directions

Throughout the event, stakeholders shared their experiences, offering a rich tapestry of insights that would inform future strategies. One of the significant outcomes was the identification of actionable steps to strengthen the sorghum supply chain.

Dr. Peter Anabire from Savannah Research Institute shared valuable insights into the development of Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) and the practical challenges of scaling up seed production. Emphasizing the need to ramp up efforts to encourage seed growers, he said

While we've made strides in producing foundation seeds, there's a need to ramp up efforts to encourage seed growers to multiply these into certified seeds to meet market demands.

Ibrahim Alhassan from Callighana spoke about the success of importing and distributing PAC 501 hybrid sorghum seeds. These seeds are not only early maturing and disease tolerant but also preferred by major off-takers like Guinness Ghana. He pointed out that;

Our partnership has successfully increased the importation and distribution of PAC 501 hybrid sorghum seeds. In addition to being early maturing and disease tolerant, PAC 501 is preferred by the main off-taker, Guinness Ghana.

The discussions naturally progressed to market dynamics and the logistics of seed distribution. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of a robust supply chain to ensure that high-quality seeds reach farmers efficiently and on time. The need for continuous training for seed growers, enhanced seed certification processes, and strengthening of supply chains were identified as pivotal areas of focus.

The event was not just about strategic discussions; it was also a platform for various value chain actors, including farmer representatives and seed growers, to voice their experiences and concerns. They shared stories of seed viability issues, pest management challenges, and logistical hurdles in seed distribution. Experts in attendance offered clarification, additional information, and practical advice aimed at overcoming these specific challenges. Nelson Gulbi from Partnership for Sustainable Sorghum Sourcing in Ghana (P3SG) highlighted a critical need for a standardized guide for farmers and Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs):

A manual that elaborates the seed growing process and requirements will be helpful in improving the quality of seeds.

A Collective Vision for the Future

As the event drew to a close, one thing was clear: the journey of transforming the sorghum subsector was far from over. The determination among stakeholders was palpable. They had agreed upon strategies to improve the sector through continued focus on research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.

The collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in the Informal Change Alliance indicate a bright future for sorghum farming in Ghana. With a structured approach to overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities for growth, the future of Ghana's sorghum sector looks promising. The story of the sorghum seed system change is one of resilience, collaboration, and a shared vision for a better future.

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