The African Seed Access Index

What is TASAI?

The African Seed Access Index (TASAI) monitors indicators that are essential to seed sector development at national level.
TASAI's ultimate aim is to publish an annual scorecard that captures the vibrancy and competitiveness of the formal seed sector in the African countries where TASAI is active.
TASAI is a useful tool for government policy makers, development agencies, seed enterprises, and ultimately farmers.

The Role of Seed

Timely availability of improved seeds at affordable prices is critical to improving food security, resilience, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Africa. Improved seeds can deliver state of the art technology to farmers including higher yields, disease and pest resistance, climate change adaptation, and improved nutrition. Over the last two decades, formal seed systems in Africa have been gradually liberalized resulting in increased participation of private seed enterprises (multinationals, regional and domestic companies).

TASAI Goals and Objectives

Timely availability of improved seeds at affordable prices is critical to improving food security, resilience, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Africa. TASAI seeks to promote the creation and maintenance of enabling environments for competitive seed systems serving smallholder farmers. It is this enabling environment that TASAI seeks to measure, track, and compare across African countries. The intended outcome of the index is improved access to locally adapted, affordable, and high-quality seed of improved varieties by smallholder farmers in Sub- Saharan Africa.

It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while supporting people-centered rural development and protecting the environment.

Focusing on the seed sector in Africa and providing support for government policy makers, development agencies, seed enterprises and smallholder farmers, TASAI advances the following United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1) No Poverty

2) Zero Hunger

3) Good Health and Well-being

4) Quality Education

5) Gender Equality

8) Decent Work and Economic Growth

10) Reducing Inequality

13) Climate Action

16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

17) Partnerships for the Goals

TASAI Events

october 2020

12oct(oct 12)1:00 am16(oct 16)1:00 am2020 World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue

Event Details

The Dialogue will examine four major vulnerabilities or “cracks” in food systems: Climate Change, Equity & Access, Nutrition, and Finance & Investment. These concentrations will focus on actions and outcomes that reflect threats and opportunities in strengthening food systems resilience.

Climate Change

Explore the complex inter-relationship of food-systems, resilience and climate.
Address impacts of climate variability on agricultural productivity and food availability.
Consider the potential of innovations such as carbon sequestration, regenerative agricultural systems and agroecology in mitigating climate change.

Equity & Access

Address disproportionate impacts of food systems shocks on under-resourced communities, including farmers, daily wage earners, frontline workers and many others.
Recognize disadvantages faced by many in the Global South due to historical marginalization.
Identify barriers to knowledge and resource acquisition and how they vary in different locations, cultures, and circumstances (e.g. language, gender, technology).

Nutrition

Examine malnutrition at the local, regional and national levels, including disproportionate mortality rates based on race, class and social status.
Consider long-term responses to malnutrition to address broader health and development goals.
Recognize how investments in social programs that support nutritional development impact vulnerable groups, especially children.

Finance & Investment

Examine how investment in high-risk, long-term research efforts helps meet development goals.
Increase investment in technology and innovation for high-impact, evidence-based solutions.
Discuss compounding factors needed to cultivate and support success in investment ventures
(e.g. infrastructure, education, government stability, liquidity for small- to mid-size enterprises, etc.).