Seed Systems Group Inc

SEE SCHEDULE O.

SEED SYSTEMS GROUP, INC. ("SSG") IS A NON-PROFIT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION REGISTERED IN THE US AND HEADQUARTERED IN NAIROBI. SSG'S WORK IS SYSTEMIC IN APPROACH, INVESTING IN CAPABLE, WELL-PLACED LOCAL ACTORS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH TECHNICAL TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE SEED SUPPLY AMONG POOR, SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN AFRICA. IN 2022, WE RECEIVED FUNDING FROM INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CENTER, CANADA (IDRC) FOR IMPROVED, CLIMATE-RESILIENT CROP VARIETIES FOR IMPROVED FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN MADAGASCAR AND TOGO THROUGH A SERIES OF INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT REMOVING BARRIERS TO PROGRESS AMONG FARMERS. THE INITIATIVE IS ANCHORED IN A SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESEARCH TO GAIN AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL FARMING SYSTEMS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC NORMS, AND THE ROLES OF WOMEN AND YOUTH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IFAD PROJECT IN THE GREATER HORN OF AFRICA AND THE PROJECT WAS CONCLUDE IN DECEMBER 2022. WE ALSO CONDUCTED A BASELINE SURVEY AND A SCOPING STUDY OF SIX COUNTRIES' SEED SYSTEMS AND DEVELOPED A COST MODEL FOR ADAPTING AGRA'S SEED SYSTEM ASSESSMENT TOOL (SEEDSAT)/CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR SEED SYSTEMS IN AFRICA (CESSA) APPROACH. THIS WAS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE DETAILED BASELINE DATA AND INFORMATION NEEDED TO DEVELOP SEED SYSTEMS' INTERVENTIONS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS IDENTIFIED THE BOTTLENECKS IN THE SEED SECTOR. THE ASSIGNMENT INVOLVED A SURVEY ON THE CURRENT INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, REGULATORY AND OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORKS THAT GUIDE AND SUPPORT EACH COUNTRY'S SEED SYSTEMS. THE OUTCOME OF THE STUDY UNDERWENT STAKEHOLDER REVIEW AND VALIDATION FOR OWNERSHIP BY GOVERNMENTS.