Netherlands: Course Integrated seed sector development 2016 with fellowship opportunity

Over the last decades, the formal seed system in most developing countries has shifted from a publicly dominated sector to a privately dominated sector. However, throughout the world, the largest quantities of seed are still produced by farmers themselves. Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) recognises the relevance of formal and informal systems and aims to balance public and private sector involvement.

Creating vibrant, market oriented and pluralistic seed sectors

Contemporary lessons in seed sector development

Seed is an essential input for crop production. Access of farmers to affordable quality seed of superior varieties is key in increasing agricultural production and productivity. ISSD recognizes that farmers obtain their seed from different sources or systems, and builds programmes upon a diversity of seed systems. Supporting the development of a vibrant and pluralistic seed sector can substantially contribute to increasing food security and prosperity in developing countries.

In this course participants can broaden their international experience and strengthen their competencies to support seed sector development, taking an integrated perspective. The overall objective of the programme is to enhance the capabilities to translate the ISSD concept into strategies for making seed programmes and policies that seek enhancement by connecting to present practices. The training is experience-based and task-oriented and highly interactive. It includes lectures, visits to different Dutch seed companies and organisations, case studies, group discussions, assignments and field work.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course you will:

• be able to support farmer groups in taking an entrepreneurial approach towards seed production and trade;
• know how to strengthen private and public functions in seed sector development;
• know how to address through partnerships and innovation institutional bottlenecks in the seed sector;
• understand how international agreements impact on domestic seed policies, seed laws and regulatory frameworks;
• understand the opportunities for putting the ISSD-concept into practice in your own work context.

Target audience

The course is designed for researchers, managers, policy makers and practitioners, working in a field related to seed sector development, employed by public, private, civil society, research, education and/or development organisations. Applicants should have a MSc degree and have at least three years of relevant professional experience.Proficiency in English is required.

Practical information

Deadline: 11 April 2016

Deadline NFP/MENA:20 October 2015

NFP and Mena funding available. For more information on fellowships:

http://www.nuffic.nl/en/scholarships/netherlands-fellowship-programmes-nfp

http://www.nuffic.nl/en/scholarships/mena-scholarship-programme

For more information and online registration:

http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/show/CDIcourse_ISSD_2016.htm