Use of WorldVeg breeding materials by seed companies in Africa – results of a survey

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This reports results from the first survey among seed company members of the Africa Vegetable Breeding Consortium (AVBC), that was established in 2018 as a partnership between the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) and the World Vegetable Center. AVBC had 54 members in 2022, of which 44 are seed companies (full members) and 10 are associate members including knowledge partners such as universities and NGOs interested in vegetable variety development. Of the 44 companies, 33 have operations in one country only (categorized as ‘national’), four operate in more than two countries in Africa (‘regional’), and seven operate in multiple continents (‘international’).

A questionnaire survey was conducted among all AVBC members to collect data on key performance, and 12 companies completed the survey. Of these, six have a breeding program for tomato, six breed habanero, five breed chili pepper or okra, three breed onions, two breed African eggplant, pumpkin or amaranth, and one breeds sweet pepper or mungbean. The data showed that three seed companies used WorldVeg-developed tomato germplasm in their breeding programs, three used pepper (Capsicum annuum) germplasm, one used habanero germplasm, and one used amaranth germplasm. Responding companies reported seed sales of WorldVeg-related varieties of 319 kg for okra, 15 kg for pepper, 22 kg for African eggplant, and 25 kg for onion.

AVBC members ordered more than 200 seed samples from WorldVeg in 2022, which indicates a strong interest in WorldVeg material and a high potential for future impact. Therefore, it is important to monitor the use of this material over time. Companies expressed a need for more technical training in a range of topics, including breeding for horticultural traits, biotic resistance, and abiotic tolerance. Not many companies were accurately able to identify or prioritize breeding traits, however, and this part of the questionnaire needs to be improved in future by using a standard list of traits. It also shows that AVBC members have very different research and developmental capacities and needs, as some may not have defined breeding priorities for vegetable crops. Direct interaction with seed companies is important to understand their needs better. AVBC must continue to build trust with companies and strengthen relationships to ensure good data, crucial to measuring the effectiveness of donor investment in vegetable breeding for Africa. The survey should also be conducted annually to accurately track change.

Ambali M, Kaki R, Traore O, Schreinemachers P. 2024. Use of World Vegetable Center breeding lines by seed companies in Africa: Results of a survey. Publication No. 24-1080. World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Taiwan. 14pp.