The African Development Bank Group, together with key partners, convened a workshop to assess progress and plan the next phase of a regional agriculture initiative benefiting Burundi, Comoros, Somalia, and South Sudan. The Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response to Food Crisis (SEPAREF) project, funded by the Bank and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with national ministries, was launched to address food shortages caused by global supply disruptions and rising geopolitical tensions. The project focuses on improving food security through strengthened and digitized early warning systems, increased production of climate-tolerant seeds, and enhanced capacity of national institutions to manage current and future crises.
The regional validation workshop, held from 4 to 6 March 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together technical teams from the Bank Group, FAO, National Agricultural Research Systems, Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, and representatives from the private sector. Participants reviewed project achievements, including the production of over 956 tonnes of early generation seeds, rehabilitation of irrigation and seed storage facilities, and support for more than 250 seed out-growers, all aimed at strengthening local production capacity. Partnerships with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation have helped national research institutions deliver high-quality seeds and technologies to smallholder farmers.
The initiative has also established national seed councils and digital early warning systems, registering over 160,000 farmers and improving access to early warning information and agricultural advisory services. These systems provide critical support for crisis preparedness while building the resilience of local agricultural communities.
During the workshop, Pascal Sanginga, the Bank’s Regional Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industries, called for scaling up the initiative to enhance food and nutrition security, create jobs, and reduce reliance on grain imports. Challenges such as limited government budgets, donor dependency, and restricted access to capital for seed enterprises were also highlighted. FAO Representative Farayi Zimudzi stressed the need for financial sustainability, integration of seed certification systems, and stronger public–private partnerships to expand seed enterprises. The workshop concluded with firm commitments from stakeholders to sustain and expand the gains achieved across all participating countries.
