Strengthening Seed Systems and Research Infrastructure

3 September 2025. Strengthening Seed Systems and Research Infrastructure

Colorful Revolution Webinar Series. This webinar series built on a recent global study examining fruit and vegetable (F&V) research and development investments across nine countries.

Low access to quality, climate-resilient seeds limits F&V productivity across many contexts. Countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal call for expanded breeding programs, improved propagation infrastructure, and stronger links between research and farmers, especially for indigenous crops. Strategic investment in public-private research partnerships can fast-track varietal development and adoption.

Dr. Naalamle Amissah, Senior Lecturer | University of Ghana

Dr. Naalamle Amissah is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana. She holds a BSc degree in Agriculture from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Cornell University, USA. Her research interests are in the selection, evaluation, and propagation of economically important plants that are either difficult to propagate or at risk of extinction (several trees, medicinal plants, and vegetable species fall within this category), as well as the development of improved technologies to ensure their successful establishment. Her research also involves identifying neglected and underutilized crop species with the potential to address weather variability and food security challenges in Ghana. Previously, Naalamle served as the West Africa Regional Hub Manager for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture. She is the Team Lead for Plant Tissue Culture at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana.

Dr. Allen Van Deynze, Director | Seed Biotechnology Center | University of California, Davis

Dr. Allen Van Deynze is the Director of the Seed Biotechnology Center and Associate Director of the Plant Breeding Center at University of California, Davis. He has a Ph.D in plant breeding from University of Guelph, Canada. As part of the SBC’s mission to serve as a liaison between public institutions and seed industry, Allen is responsible for developing, coordinating and conducting research and generating and disseminating scientific and informational content for the Seed Biotechnology Center’s and Plant Breeding Center’s educational and outreach programs. His research focuses on developing and integrating genomics into plant breeding of California and African crops (African Orphan Crops Consortium). He has programs on breeding for disease resistance and quality in pepper and spinach, and development and application of genomics in crops. With Dr. Kent Bradford he co-developed and is organizer for the Plant Breeding Academysm and past chair of the US Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee.

Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, Partnerships & Alliances Lead | East West Seed International

Dr. Mary Ann P. Sayoc has over 24 years of professional experience in the seed industry. She was former General Manager of East-West Seed Philippines, a Dutch company engaged in research, variety development, production and distribution of tropical vegetable seeds with the aim of improving the livelihoods of small holder farmers. Dr. Sayoc is currently the President of the Philippine Seed Industry Association. She is past president of the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) and is currently a member of the Board of the International Seed Federation. She was a member of the Executive Board of the Global Crop Diversity Trust from 2014-2019, an international organization working to safeguard crop diversity, forever. She was formerly a member of the International Advisory Board of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, a USAID-funded project implemented by UC Davis. She was conferred Knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau by the King of the Netherlands in 2021 for her work and advocacy in agriculture and food and for strengthening Filipino-Dutch relations. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to be conferred an Honorary Lifetime Award by the International Seed Federation during its 100 year-celebration in 2024. Mary Ann is a strong advocate of public-private partnerships, multi-stakeholder engagement and science-based policies and regulations.

Dr. Mathieu Ayenan, Associate Scientist - Vegetable Breeder | World Vegetable Center

Dr. Mathieu Ayenan is a plant breeder and seed systems expert, bringing over 10 years of dedicated work to improve food security across Africa. He is currently a Vegetable Breeder at the World Vegetable Center in Benin. He earned his PhD in Plant Breeding from the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana. His research centers on the genetic improvement of vegetables, particularly okra, to develop nutritious, market-preferred, and climate-resilient cultivars. Mathieu also focuses on developing vibrant seed systems for vegetables and opportunity crops. He aims to contribute to creating effective seed production and delivery channels that ensure smallholder farmers can access and benefit from improved genetic materials, thereby boosting agricultural productivity. He manages several projects focused on breeding and variety scaling.