Seed health training targets key bottleneck in Ethiopia’s vegetable seed sector

– 15 January 2026 –

Workshop participants received training in a range of field and laboratory techniques.

The Ethiopian highland plateau, with its cold and dry climate, provides ideal environments for lucrative vegetable seed production for crops such as onion, pepper, tomato, and brassicas like radish. 

But gaps in seed health standards and testing capacity limit the country’s ability to certify local seed, contributing to continued reliance on imports worth about USD 14 million each year. 

One of the factors contributing to this situation is the absence of nationally harmonised seed health standards, guidelines and protocols for seed-borne diseases. This makes it difficult for regulatory authorities to make informed decisions on whether to accept or reject new seed introductions.

To address this, a recent national training course brought together 47 Ethiopian seed health inspectors, including 22 laboratory technicians and 25 field inspectors, from all regions of the country. Organised by SNV Ethiopia, with technical support from WorldVeg, it focused on improving the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s vegetable seed regulatory and certification system. Held at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)’s Holetta Agricultural Research Center, it was delivered by WorldVeg virologist Dr. Ram Khadka, and WorldVeg plant pathologist Dr. Wubetu Bihon Legesse.

“Ethiopia has enormous opportunities for sustainable, profitable vegetable seed production, supporting business development, employment, and vegetable consumption in the country,” said Wubetu, who is based in Ethiopia. “Strengthening seed health capacity is essential to unlocking that potential, and this training goes to the heart of the challenge, equipping participants with the practical skills to assess seed health, manage disease risks, and support stronger regulatory decision-making.”

Why seed health matters

Seed health is critical for protecting crop production and agricultural systems. Effective seed health systems help to:

  • Prevent the spread of pathogens to new areas
  • Reduce the use of harmful agrochemicals
  • Lower production costs
  • Improve productivity and market competitiveness
  • Protect local biodiversity and production systems from invasive pathogens

Participants received training in:

  • Visual seed inspection techniques
  • Identification of key seed-borne pathogens and their diagnostic symptoms
  • Field inspection methods, including scouting, inspection patterns and disease reporting
  • Laboratory seed health testing methods, including International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)-approved techniques

The course also introduced practical diagnostic tools suitable for routine inspection work, including:

  • Immunostrips for viral disease detection
  • Bacterial streaming tests
  • Cell phone-based microscopy
  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools such as the mobile app Plantix to support field diagnoses
  • Inoculation of virus and bacterial pathogens in indicator plants for confirmatory testing

Laboratory practical sessions covered fungal detection using the blotter method, preparation of general and selective media, biosafety practices, and proper sampling techniques.

This training marks an important step toward institutionalizing seed health testing, enabling long-term improvements in seed quality, farmer livelihoods, and national food security.

Adopting seed health testing will empower the Ethiopian seed sector to enhance climate-resilient agriculture by minimising disease impacts and reducing crop yield losses. It will help empower the local economy through increased productivity and quality of high-value, low-volume seed crops.

Participants of the national training workshop on improving the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s vegetable seed regulatory and certification system, at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)’s Holetta Agricultural Research Center.

This work is linked to the Vegetable Biodiversity Action Area in the new WorldVeg Global Strategy 2026-2033.