In our world where climate change continues to upend traditional agricultural systems, a team of dedicated researchers, farming sector organizers and development professionals gathered in Addis Ababa earlier this month to learn and share strategies for a more sustainable future. The Participatory Crop Improvement (PCI) for Crop Diversification training, organized by ISSD Africa, is part of the broader Action Learning Project 1 (ALP 1), which aims to build resilient, diverse seed systems across Africa. The initiative operates at the intersection of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, emphasizing the importance of agrobiodiversity and community-based approaches in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
The Horn of Africa, a region particularly vulnerable to climate change and political instability, has become a focal point for ISSD Africa’s work. This training, which ran from September 9-13, 2024, provided hands-on learning opportunities for participants from Ethiopia, Somaliland, South Sudan, and Uganda. These are not just names on a map—these are countries grappling with the day-to-day realities of how to ensure food security in an uncertain future.
Diversity and Shared Challenges
The diversity of participants was not merely geographical; it extended to the wide-ranging expertise and experiences they brought. Attendees from Nugaal University in Somaliland, the Seed and Biodiversity Research Organization in South Sudan, and the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, among others, represented a mosaic of perspectives united by a common goal: securing resilient seed systems. This diversity enriched discussions, as participants tackled the distinct challenges faced in their regions while recognizing the universality of their mission.
"The richness of the group allowed us to exchange insights into our different agricultural realities," said one participant. "But despite our differences, we all share the need for more robust seed systems." This part of the ISSD Africa is led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the Wageningen University & Research with Dejene Kassahun and Arnab Gupta facilitating this training
Trainers from the Alliance and WUR
Photo: Arnab Gupta/ WUR and Ahmed Bashiir/ Nugaal University
Trainees from 4 countries in the sessions. Photo: Arnab Gupta/ WUR
Participatory Crop Improvement: More Than a Buzzword
At the core of the training was Participatory Crop Improvement (PCI), a methodology that merges local farmer knowledge with scientific expertise to enhance crop varieties. It’s not a new concept, but the way it is applied makes it powerful. PCI places farmers at the center of the process, enabling them to evaluate and select crop varieties that best fit their local environmental conditions. This approach not only respects farmers’ knowledge but also ensures that the selected crops have a greater chance of success.
Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) and crowdsourcing emerged as critical tools for scaling PCI efforts. These techniques allow communities to collaboratively evaluate new crop varieties, ensuring that the most adaptable and high-yield varieties are chosen. By involving farmers directly, PCI provides a pathway to agricultural resilience that is both sustainable and community-driven.
"This training has shown us that PCI is not just about selecting the best crop—it’s about creating a system where farmers are empowered to make decisions for their future," noted another participant.
Reflective Report: Visit to the ILRI Gene Bank
Trainees at ILRI Genebank. Photo: Arnab Gupta/ WUR
A key moment of the training was a visit to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Gene Bank. This world-class facility houses an extensive collection of genetic material, including forage species that are crucial for supporting livestock systems globally. For many participants, it was their first time seeing such a facility in action, and the experience left a lasting impact.
As one attendee reflected,
"The ILRI Gene Bank is not just an institution, but a global resource. It benefits countries worldwide, and seeing how this gene bank operates was an eye-opener."
The visit highlighted ILRI’s commitment to preserving genetic diversity through both long-term and medium-term storage. The organizational structure, with its highly specialized departments managing everything from molecular diagnostics to seed storage, provided participants with a model of efficiency and precision in genetic conservation.
Participants left the gene bank with a deepened appreciation for the role of genetic resources in strengthening agricultural resilience. Many voiced their intent to push for the creation of similar gene banks in their own countries, stressing the critical need for trained technicians and strong management systems—adapted specifically to withstand the challenges posed by conflict and climate change.
"We need to ensure that our technicians are trained in handling gene platforms and in the processes of sample collection and storage,"
one participant remarked, underscoring the urgency of building capacity in climate resilient genetic resources conservation.
ILRI Genebank fodder germplasm display. Photo: Arnab Gupta/ WUR
Connecting the Dots: ALP 1 and the HDP Nexus
The training was not conducted in a silo. It was aligned with the larger goals of ALP 1 under ISSD Africa, which seeks to create resilient seed systems in contexts of fragility. These are regions where the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus comes into sharp focus. Conflicts, droughts, and economic instability often overlap, making it essential to develop seed systems that can withstand such complex, interrelated crises.
ALP 1 aims to integrate crop diversity, community seed banks, and participatory methods into an integrated strategy for agricultural, and thus, food system resilience. As participants worked through case studies, group discussions, and field visits, it became clear how these elements fit together within the broader framework of ISSD Africa’s mission. The ability to respond to immediate humanitarian needs while simultaneously adopting long-term development and peace, is at the heart of the HDP Nexus.
"This training demonstrated how PCI, community seed banks, and policies can form a holistic response to the challenges we face in our regions," noted one participant from Uganda. "It’s not just about today’s crops, but about ensuring future generations have access to diverse and resilient seeds."
Looking Ahead: Plans for Action
As the training drew to a close, participants left with more than just newfound knowledge—they left with concrete plans for action. For many, this meant designing follow-up activities for Participatory Variety Selection and community seed bank management in their regions. Several participants committed to engaging with national policymakers to integrate PCI into broader agricultural strategies.
The visit to the ILRI Gene Bank also sparked interest in formal collaborations. Many expressed a desire to partner with ILRI on Material Transfer Agreements and germplasm evaluation. The prospect of establishing national gene banks was no longer a distant dream but an achievable goal.
"We’ve learned so much in such a short time, but the real work starts when we go back home, ...... Now we need to put this knowledge into practice." said a participant from South Sudan.
Trainees developing the action plan. Photo: Arnab Gupta/ WUR
Conclusion
The Participatory Crop Improvement and Crop Diversification training in Addis Ababa was more than a learning experience—it was a launch-pad towards building resilient agricultural systems in some of the most vulnerable regions in the world. The combination of scientific rigor, local knowledge, and a commitment to the HDP Nexus ensures that the outcomes of this training will resonate long after the participants return home.
For more information visit the ISSD AFrica Website
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