To strengthen Africa’s food systems as well as ensure farmers have access to clean, reliable planting materials, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has adopted the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH).
With SAH, an innovative technology transforming the production and distribution of healthy planting materials of Vegetatively Propagated Crops (VPCs) across sub-Saharan Africa, the institute said it would transform lives, strengthen markets, and also build resilience against climate and disease pressures.
SAH, a cutting-edge plant propagation system, allows for the rapid multiplication of disease-free, high-quality seedlings of root and tuber crops such as cassava and yam. By producing clean and healthy planting materials at scale, the technology addresses one of the region’s biggest bottlenecks— Limited access to improved and healthy seeds for millions of smallholder farmers.
Through efforts in scaling this innovation, IITA-CGIAR has successfully deployed SAH in collaboration with national agricultural research systems and private sector partners in countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond.
The Guardian learnt that this technology has enabled scaling seed systems – establishment of decentralised seed production hubs and partnerships with agribusinesses, ensuring that farmers have timely access to high-quality planting materials; and also empowering farmers and communities — ensuring that farmers now achieve higher yields, reduced losses from pests and diseases.
It has also improved income opportunities by accessing clean planting materials and also becoming certified seed producers; and strengthening regional food security, with crops like cassava and yam serving as staples for millions. In addition, SAH is boosting productivity while safeguarding the resilience of Africa’s food systems.
Speaking on the breakthrough, the IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr. Simeon Ehui, said SAH is more than a technology, but a game-changer for Africa’s seed systems.
“By ensuring that farmers’ access clean, reliable planting materials, we are transforming lives, strengthening markets, and building resilience against climate and disease pressures.
“The recognition of the SAH technology by the Africa Food Prize, the most prestigious award recognising transformative contributions to agri-food systems in Africa, is a testament to research’s contributions to African agriculture and food security.”
It was reported that over the past few years, IITA has trained seed entrepreneurs, national partners, women and youth in SAH protocols, creating a new generation of seed producers and agribusiness leaders across sub-Saharan Africa.
The institute’s work in scaling this technology underscores its role as a leader in innovation, driving sustainable agricultural transformation for the region.
As adoption of SAH continues to spread, IITA said it is working with national systems, development partners, and the private sector to integrate the technology into national agricultural agenda, ensuring that Africa’s farmers and communities fully benefit from the breakthrough in seed system development.
