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Barley terraces in Tigray, Ethiopia.
Barley terraces in Tigray, Ethiopia.Photo: Ola T. Westengen

A multi- and interdisciplinary research group working on themes related to crop diversity, seed system development and seed security.  

  • What is the Seed System Lab?

    Seeds are entangled in the ecological, social, cultural and economic fabric of our lives. Seeds underpin food security and play a fundamental role in efforts to make food systems more sustainable. At the same time, seeds are 'big business'. Tension between the ecological, socio-cultural and economic aspects of seed is at the heart of 'seed struggles' around the world.  

    The Seed System Lab is a multi- and interdisciplinary research group at NMBU's Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric) working on themes related to crop diversity, seed system development and seed security.  

    What is crop diversity, seed systems and seed security?  

    Crop diversity is the diversity of species and varieties of cultivated plants that has co-evolved and spread within and between farming communities around the world. Seed systems are understood as the actors, activities, and institutions involved in the maintenance of crop diversity, plant breeding and selection, seed production and dissemination. In short, they are the systems that make seed available to farmers. In theory, a well-functioning seed system will ensure seed security for all farmers, i.e., that “men and women within the household have sufficient access to adequate quantities of good quality seed and planting materials of preferred crop varieties at all times in both good and bad cropping seasons” (FAO 2016)  

    In the article Navigating toward resilient and inclusive seed systems, we outline a perspective on seed systems which draws on many strands of research, from crop science to social science. 

    Conceptual framework identifying five factors to describe seed systems. The three in light green are basic "functions" that seed systems deliver. These are activities that seed system actors are engaged with. The two in dark green (seed governance and food system drivers) are broader contextual factors that influence how the seed system functions.
    Figure 1. Conceptual framework identifying five factors to describe seed systems. The three in light green are basic "functions" that seed systems deliver. These are activities that seed system actors are engaged with. The two in dark green (seed governance and food system drivers) are broader contextual factors that influence how the seed system functions. Photo: NMBU
  • What we do
    Particpants of the BOLD project at a workshop in Uganda.
    Testing the Seed System Toolkit in Uganda. Photo: Teshome Hunduma Mulesa

    NMBU's Seed System Lab researches seed systems across geographical scales from the local to the national and global level. We research the different functions of seed systems from conservation and development (and evolution) of varieties to seed production and dissemination. We research these functions in the context of the multi-layered governance regimes they are part of as well as in the broader food systems they are part of. We also do research on seed system outcomes in terms of seed security as well as ‘higher order’ outcomes such as food security and food system sustainability.    

    No single discipline can grasp seed systems in their entirety. In the Seed System Lab, we have members and associates with different disciplinary backgrounds; crop science, agroecology, ethnobotany, anthropology, political ecology, political economy, development studies and economics. We work with research partners from other fields and faculties at NMBU and at other universities. We engage in co-production of seed system knowledge and innovation with stakeholders outside academia, including farmer organizations, civil society organizations and public institutions in the seed systems.  

    Our objective is to deliver:

    1) Cutting edge academic research

    2) Analyses of high value for policy and practice

    3) Education and knowledge for students and professionals in public and private organizations involved in seed system development 

    The Seed System Lab welcomes new students and collaborations - we encourage those interested to contact us. 

  • Projects
    A field with diversity of crops

    BOLD
    Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development: Genebanks and Seed Systems

    A varity of maize ears

    ACCESS
    Access to seeds: From emergencies to seed system development

    Testing the Seed System Toolkit from the BOLD project in Uganda.

    Seed System Toolkit
    Tools for characterizing and analyzing seed systems

    Sustainable food systems

    Sustainable Food Systems
    The Seed System Lab is part of this NMBU cross-faculty Sustainability Arena

  • Courses
  • Publications
  • Lab members and partners

    Core group

    PhD Fellows

    • Tsedal Asres Wendmu, Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), NMBU
    • Grace Tione, Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), NMBU
    • Tesfakiros Semere Gebrelibanos, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

    PhD alumni

    • Clifton Makate, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)
    • Ida Arf Tarjem - Postdoctoral Associate (Tufan Lab), School of Integrative Plant Science Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, Cornell University

    Master students

    • Jane Lakot, Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), NMBU

    Master's alumni

    Foundation scientists

    External partners

The Seed System Lab welcomes new students and collaborations - we enourage those interested to contact us.

Email us

Bhutanese farmers swapping seeds at a biodiversity fair
Farmers swapping seeds at a biodiversity fair in Dremetse Geog in Eastern Bhutan in 2011. Photo: Teshome Hunduma Mulesa