b"We already have two facilities in Rwanda provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rwanda Universitywell work both in open fields and pro-tected conditions, where all the farmers can come and see the results of the varieties adapted to their local farming conditions, Haran says. That also allows Fair Planet to gauge a few different thingsthough those high-quality seeds might be proven to work exceptionally well in some areas of the globe, they might not work as well as the important, local seed varieties.In all our projects, and definitely in the Rwanda Seed Resilience one, we include local seeds that are available to farmers, and compare them to imported seeds, Haran says. What really matters to farmers, either smallholders or large-scale ones, is the suitability of the seed varieties to their farming conditions and their potential to generate high net income. Availability is also key and we are working with local seed dealers to improve the choice farmers have. After the trialing phase, Fair Planet moves onto the training phase, where they teach lead farmers how to use the seeds through weekly visits to their own fields with their local Extension officers. Thats where teaching about GAP comes in. Finally, once farmers succeed in turning farming into a sustainable and reliable income source and a critical mass of trained and knowledgeable local professionals is reached and takes full ownership for continuing the training process, Fair Planet leaves the region, as already been accomplished in its first intervention region in Ethiopia. This is also a key point for ISF, Khan Niazi says. We are not looking for short-term solutions which keep farmers in a dependent state. We really wish farmers and all the agro-business to be able to make a living out their work. Our aim is to help build a sustainable system.We believe that farmers in Africa should have the freedom to chooseFair Planet working in the field to help sow crops.from a wide selection of seed options, like any farmer in the developed world, Haran adds. How To Get InvolvedFor seed companies looking to get involved, there are two ways in particular.For me, personally, its a dream come The first way would be to become a partner. Seed companies that are interested in the Rwanda market can test their varieties locally and supporttrue: the reason I founded Fair Planet was the project's budget, Khan Niazi says. They provide varieties based on localto bridge the gap between the best seeds market needs, what farmers requirements need to be met and so on. Fair Planet will select the best performing ones and train local trainers and farmersin the world and the poorest farmers how to improve their productivity and income from farming. Seed companiesand with this initiative, my dream is are really encouraged to become project partners.The second way would be to become a sponsor by simply giving a financialbecoming a reality. contribution. If for some reason you dont want to provide varieties and youd Shoshan Haranrather just support the ISF project, you can make a financial endowment directly to Fair Planet, she continues. Its important to note that ISF itself does not contribute directly to the projects budget. This should be covered by the ISF member companies, either as partners or sponsors.seed market for participating seed companies, And though Rwanda is a smaller country, the Seed Resilience project iswhile contributing to the livelihood of smallholder looking to have a major impact.farmers in Rwanda, Haran says. This ISF project The five-year project is aiming to provide 84,000 farmers access to high- will also serve as a model for future projects aiming quality seeds and improved farming practices in Rwanda, which should leadto increase food and nutrition security in other to a sustainable increase in yields, quality and income. Itll provide and improvecountries.the local Extension service with 600 local trainers and is projected to improveFor me, personally, its a dream come true: the livelihood of over 360,000 people.the reason I founded Fair Planet was to bridge the Even though Rwanda is small compared with other African countries, itsgap between the best seeds in the world and the high level of infrastructure and entrepreneurship can lead to a developmentpoorest farmers and with this initiative, my dream of produce export to many countries in central Africa, thus creating a largeris becoming a reality.SW36/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023"