Strengthening seed delivery systems for dryland cereals and legumes in drought-prone areas of Uganda: the Cluster Granary Seed (CGS) project (updated in May 2021)

In 2016, the Cluster Granary Seed Project was implemented in three districts of Uganda, led by the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute of NARO, in partnership with World Vision Uganda, the National Plant Genetic Resource Centre and farmer groups. The goal was to contribute to enhancing food security and climate change adaptation in drought-prone areas by strengthening seed systems of target crops, including sorghum, finger-millet, pearl-millet, cowpea, pigeon pea, and groundnut. Specific objectives were to: (1) assemble the diverse local and improved genetic resources; (2) establish an effective and sustainable seed delivery model for increasing access to quality seeds, and (3) build the capacity of farming communities to produce and conserve seeds. Over 300 local and improved genetic resources of the target crops were assembled and characterized through farmer-led demonstrations. As a result, 30 farmer groups are now producing and conserving quality seeds for their communities. A ‘cluster granary’ seed delivery model was developed and operationalized, and over 1500 households have benefited through seed sharing, training sessions, voluntary visits to demonstration sites, World Food Day Celebrations, ‘Plant Clinics’, interaction with scientists, and participating in national agricultural shows and related events. Lessons learned include that capacity building of farmers to produce in diversity and conservation of quality seeds and deliberate conservation for future use is important.