![\"SEMEAR-Launch-4\"](\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEMEAR-Launch-4.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSEMEAR is a 5-year (2015\u22122019) program led by IITA that will use a winwin, public\u2212private partnership approach to disseminate improved legume seeds and complementary crop management practices already developed in Mozambique through the PARTI\u2013Platform for Agriculture Research and Technology Innovation. Other implementing partners in the program include the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT<\/a>), the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics (CIRDI<\/a>), and Instituto de Investiga\u00e7\u00e3o Agr\u00e1ria de Mo\u00e7ambique (IIAM<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The overall goal of SEMEAR is to increase the adoption of improved technologies, income, and food security of at least 100,000 households of smallholder farmers in Feed-the-Future Zones of Influence (FTFZOI) in Mozambique, namely Manica, Tete, Zamb\u00e9zia, and Nampula provinces. It will increase the production and supply of breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds in FTF-ZOI and strengthen the national seed systems; scale up and enhance the adoption of improved varieties and best management practices using participatory approaches; and enhance national policy dialog on seed and fertilizer supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting was attended by representatives of farmers\u2019 associations, extension agents, government officials, representatives of private seed companies, and officials from the FAO and USAID. It was opened by IITA Southern Africa Hub Deputy Director,\u00a0Steve Boahen<\/a>, and chaired by Constantino Cuambe, Northwestern Zone Director of IIAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Chikoye<\/a>, IITA Regional Director for Southern Africa, thanked USAID and the American Government and people for supporting the project. He also elaborated on the project\u2019s importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSEMEAR\u2019s targets of 88.7 tons of breeder and pre-basic, 715 tons of basic\/foundation seed supplied to seed companies and other partners, and 10,004 tons of certified seed supplied by seed companies and other seed producers to farmers signify that seed system development is important to Mozambique\u2019s agricultural development. To quickly realize its goal, the project will explore working with similar initiatives in the Southern African Development Community (SADC<\/a>) region such as the Seed Harmonization Protocol, which facilitates movement of seeds within the region especially to areas facing scarcity,\u201d Chikoye explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n US Ambassador to Mozambique, His Excellency Dean Pittman, representing\u00a0USAID<\/a>, stressed the importance of the project on improving crop production and reducing poverty and hunger among the Mozambique population. \u201cSEMEAR is in agreement with the policy of the government of Mozambique of building a stronger agricultural sector in The IITA conjunction with USAID\u2019s FTF Initiative. By focusing on improving the access to better seed, SEMEAR will help mitigate the effects of climate change such as floods, drought, and disease,\u201d the ambassador highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n