ISSD Mekelle University (MU) conducted a training for 30 Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs) executive committees’ members and woreda and kebele experts, with an objective of enhancing their capacity in  cooperative governance and management. Noting the relevance of Seed Producer Cooperatives (SPCs), in quality seed production of improved and farmer preferred varieties, ISSD in Ethiopia works to improve the management, organizational skills, and technical knowledge of SPCs and strategically link them with relevant partners along the value chain.

A conceptual framework called ‘making seed producers autonomous’ was used to lead the presentations, exercises and discussion on leadership. Techniques used encouraged full participation, learning and experience sharing. Furthermore, exercises and assignments were provided to stimulate learning by doing.  Case studies were used to learn from successes and failure of sample SPCs.

The training covered core concepts on setting vision, goals and targets; identification of problems; SPCs problems alignment; case studies in individual farmers problem and linkage with business; value chains of seed production, marketing and management; cooperatives Sector Development Strategy in a view of Ethiopian context; governance; and financial management.

The training was effective in designing specific action plans to be implemented in the coming few months and ensure SPCs commitment to utilize the techniques  they learned from the training.

The training is intended to address challenges associated to governance and management of cooperative as well as creating smooth relationship with relevant partners and institutions. The participants included members  selected SPC’s who will work with ISSD in  2020.