Feed and forage seed business models dairy sector – Kenya & Uganda
Duration: March 15, 2019 – March 14, 2022
Project information
Full title: Feed and forage seed business models to support further professionalization of the dairy sector in Kenya and Uganda
Objective: The aim of this project is to develop viable business models for forage seed production and marketing that assure economically sustainable access to high quality forage seed to diverse clients in Kenya and Uganda.
Abstract: Sub-optimal feeding forms a major constraint for further professionalization and development of the dairy sector in Kenya and Uganda. As feeding represents 65% of production costs, improved forage productivity will greatly increase milk production efficiency and thus reduce the production costs and price of milk. As a result of a poorly functioning forage seed value chain, promising and demanded species and varieties which provide for high quality forage for Kenya and Uganda, remain under-utilized. The starting point for improved forage productivity is economically viable production and distribution of forage seeds and vegetative splits. The promotion of quality forage seed cannot be left to the private sector. Public co-investment is needed to support the professionalization of the dairy sector. This project will provide insight on how to effectively invest public and private resources in the production, marketing, promotion of use and quality control of forage seed.
The objective of the proposed research is to: “Develop viable business models for forage seed production and marketing that assure economically sustainable access to high quality forage seed to diverse clients in Kenya and Uganda”.
In this research project international, national and local seed entrepreneurs, dairy farmers and national and international researchers will:
- Analyse forage seed sector functioning, constraints and opportunities for change.
- Identify, implement and assess business models for commercially viable forage seed production of promising and highly demanded species.
- Test forage seed promotion marketing strategies.
- Pilot seed quality assurance mechanisms.
The insights gained will be published as three working papers, two scientific papers and be presented in two relevant conferences. Furthermore training modules to communicate the working paper insights to a practitioner audience will be elaborated, tested and published together with dairy sector development projects and programs.
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This project received funds in the Call on “Seed Systems Development (SSD): Enabling and Scaling Genetic Improvement and Propagation Materials” which was released by NWO-WOTRO within the framework of the Netherlands-CGIAR research partnership. The nine awarded project consortia consist of Dutch research institutes, CGIAR Research Programs or platforms, and (Dutch or local) partners from the public and private sector.
