b'LEAD FARMERS YIELD INCREASECrop Yield - Kg/1,000 m23,500 3,2153,000 X5.72,500 2,469 X4 2,364X2.52,0001,5001,000 915Tomato Pepper Onion559 6225000Trained Farmers Yield (Kg/1,000m2) Baseline yield (FAO 2015-2019)N = 1600 Farmers dataES: You are now active in Ethiopia and Tanzania. WhichES: What challenges do remain?countries are in the pipeline for future rollout?SH: The main challenge is raising sufficient funds to up-scale SH: In Ethiopia we started by introducing high quality seeds ofthe outreach to more countries and reach millions of farmers tomato, hot-pepper and onion and now we add more vegetablewho need our help. It is important to note that only ~20% of crops to allow farmers to respond to market demands. We alsoFair Planets resources (budget & manpower) are invested in started testing potato varieties, since current potato yields arevariety trials, while the rest is invested in local capacity building. very low mainly due to poor starting material. Growing potatoesWe were surprised to find that raising funds for such an effec-from certified seed potatoes of high-quality varieties, from truetive intervention is not easy. We look for additional companies, potato seeds, or from apical root cuttings, can provide numer- organizations and donors who will join our efforts to increase ous advantages for the local farmers.food and nutrition security and improve the economic situation In Tanzania we collaborate with Sokoine University inof the poorest farmers.Morogoro. We perform variety trials in mid-land and highland conditions and are starting the training program with the localES: How can the EU seed sector help Fair Planet?extension system. SH: Firstly, we would like more seed and seed technology Recently, the International Seed Federation (ISF) announcedcompanies to join our platform. We are expanding it to include its commitment to contribute to the transformation of foodvegetables, cereals, potatoes and pulses and are looking for systems by assisting farmers to produce more in a sustainablecompanies with high quality germplasm and seed technologies and resilient manner. One of ISF initiatives is Building a Seedthat are interested in growing their markets in Africa. Resilience project for a sustainable seed system based on inclu- Secondly, the readers of the European Seed magazine can siveness in a country.spread the word and create awareness that will attract private Fair Planet was chosen to implement the Seed Resiliencedonors and aid organizations who are interested in tackling the project in Rwanda, which will address Rwandas main food androot causes of the growing food and poverty crises.SWnutrition pillars: vegetables for vitamins and fibers, potatoes and cereals for carbohydrates and pulses for proteins. This project ON THE WEBcan serve as a model for future projects in additional countriesWHERE and will show that the seed industry can significantly contribute to the establishment of local and more resilient food systems andFair Planet website: https://www.fairplanet.ngo/ contribute to achieving the UN SDGs.56/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2023'