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Early generation seed Production in Areka Agricultural Research Center of Southern Agricultural Research Institute: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

Asfaw Berhanu Sadeboa, Demelash Bassa

Seed is the most important agricultural input for improving production and productivity. The objective is to show the status, challenges, and opportunities of early-generation seed production in the Areka Agricultural Research Center (AARC) of the Southern Agricultural Research Institute in the cropping season (2016/17-2021/22). The main purpose of Early Generation Seed (EGS) production is to maintain the genetic potential and identity of a variety and provide a regular supply of high-quality breeder seed, which is the basis for subsequent seed production. Ethiopia has adopted four seed classes for seed production: breeder seed, pre-basic seed, basic seed, and certified seed. Using quality seeds of a variety with high genetic potential (as for the improved varieties) can increase yield. A total of 1253.21 and 511.16 quintals of major cereals and pulse EGS were produced in the 2016/17–2021/22 cropping season, respectively. From 2016/17-2021/22 cropping seasons, the Areka Agricultural Research Center produced a total of 27973 EGS of Enset corm and suckers. In the 2016/17–2021/22 cropping seasons, AARCs produced a total of 6015 quintals of EGS of the Boloso-1 variety. The main challenges and opportunities are to either decrease or enhance EGS production in the Center. This implies that AARC’s capacity to produce early-generation seeds will improve in order to fulfill the existing demand for EGS.