For two days, seed companies, breeders, researchers and agricultural stakeholders converged on Zaria, Kaduna State, for the second yearly workshop and field demonstration of the African Cereal and Legume Breeding Consortium (ACLBC), to accelerate the adoption of improved crop varieties.

The workshop, organised by the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), came at a time when Africa is seeking to strengthen its food security, increase agricultural productivity and build resilience to climate change.

It was designed to bridge the gap between agricultural research and commercial seed markets by connecting technology developers directly with companies that can multiply and distribute improved seeds to farmers.

At the heart of the programme was a practical demonstration of promising TAAT-vetted cereal and legume varieties, offering participants an opportunity to assess crop performance under field conditions, engage with technical experts and explore potential partnerships for commercial adoption.

Established by TAAT and AFSTA, ACLBC seeks to attract more than 200 seed companies to adopt and scale improved varieties and hybrids developed by CGIAR Centres and Advanced Agricultural Research Institutions. The consortium promotes collaboration among breeders, technology owners and private enterprises, encouraging investment in crop improvement, seed multiplication and distribution.

Its approach recognises that developing an improved variety is only the beginning. For farmers to benefit, promising technologies must move beyond research plots into reliable seed production systems and accessible markets.

Through ACLBC, seed companies can evaluate new varieties, engage directly with breeders, explore licensing opportunities and identify technologies suited to their markets. The consortium also encourages a demand-driven approach in which companies communicate their priorities and collaborate with research institutions to develop and commercialise varieties that respond to farmers’ needs.

Nigeria offers an important platform for this engagement, with its substantial seed industry and potential to expand the commercial delivery of improved planting materials.

The Green Field Day provided a central feature of the workshop, allowing participants to observe selected varieties and engage with the specialists responsible for their development.

The demonstration plot, established through the TAAT Clearinghouse with contributions from TAAT Compacts, was intended to serve as a living catalogue of promising seed technologies. Selected crops include maize, rice, sorghum, millet, soybean, groundnut and cowpea.

Participants were able to examine comparative crop performance, yield potential, grain quality and relevant post-harvest characteristics. Field-level discussions also provided opportunities to explore agronomic practices, seed quality and the considerations involved in commercial multiplication.

The second day featured technical presentations, keynote addresses, panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions and networking under the theme “Scaling TAAT Seed Technologies – Partnerships for Impact.” These engagements connected field observations with practical decisions on technology adoption, seed production and commercial partnerships.

The workshop brings together partners with complementary roles in advancing Nigeria’s seed sector and strengthening agricultural innovation across Africa.

AFSTA provides consortium coordination and engagement with seed companies, while the TAAT Clearinghouse leads technical oversight and programme design. Premier Seeds serves as host and Champion Partner in Nigeria, supporting demonstration plot management and local coordination.

The Seed Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN) also mobilised seed companies and align engagement with national industry priorities, while the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) contributed its regulatory and seed-quality assurance perspective.

Participating TAAT Compacts supported a variety of presentations and technical engagement, with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) providing technical backstopping and breeding expertise.

The collaboration builds on ACLBC’s earlier field demonstration in Kenya in August 2025, where seed companies, researchers, seed inspectors and other stakeholders evaluated improved cereal and legume varieties. That experience underscored the value of bringing technology developers and potential commercial adopters together to assess innovations and explore opportunities for scaling.

Organised by AFSTA in collaboration with TAAT under the theme “Catalysing Seed Technology Adoption through Partnership, Performance & Field Experience,” the Kenyan event brought together seed companies, breeding institutions, seed inspectors, farmers and other public- and private-sector stakeholders who visited a two-acre demonstration plot featuring newly released, high-performing varieties of maize, soybean, rice, wheat, high-iron beans, sorghum and millet.

The programme demonstrated the value of evaluating improved varieties under field conditions while bringing technology developers and prospective adopters into direct conversation.

The ACLBC Lead, Geoffrey Nsofon, explained that the consortium seeks to stimulate interest among seed companies and accelerate the adoption, branding and scaling of elite varieties and hybrids developed by CGIAR Centres and Advanced Agricultural Research Institutions.

He also emphasised that the initiative goes beyond the uptake of finished varieties. It aims to strengthen seed companies’ capacity to produce their own parental lines and establish licensing arrangements that support multiplication and distribution in their respective markets.

Under this demand-driven approach, companies can articulate their priorities and collaborate with breeders to develop or access varieties that meet specific market needs.

The AFSTA Secretary General, Dr Yacouba Diallo described the field demonstration as an important step towards strengthening food systems resilience through seed innovation and private-sector engagement. He highlighted the role of seed companies in incorporating improved varieties into their portfolios, multiplying seed and making it available to farmers.

Head of the TAAT Clearinghouse, Dr Solomon Gizaw, likewise urged seed companies to take advantage of the consortium’s opportunities to access breeding technologies, develop partnerships and expand the availability of improved seed.

The Kenyan experience reinforced a key principle underpinning ACLBC: agricultural innovations are more likely to reach farmers when seed companies can assess their performance, understand their commercial potential and engage directly with the institutions responsible for developing them.

The outcomes of the Zaria workshop include more informed decisions by seed companies, stronger connections between breeders and commercial enterprises, and increased interest in adopting and multiplying TAAT-vetted varieties.

The programme also deepened collaboration among research institutions, seed companies and national regulatory bodies, creating a stronger foundation for the sustainable delivery of improved seed technologies.

Ultimately, the impact of agricultural innovation depends not only on the quality of the varieties developed but also on whether farmers can access reliable, high-quality seed suited to their production conditions and markets.

By connecting research, private investment and seed delivery, ACLBC is working to transform promising agricultural technologies into commercial opportunities and practical solutions for African farmers.