Spotlight: Seed Quality, Technology, and Food Security

Seed quality is one of the most overlooked factors in agriculture. Beyond starting a crop, a good seed determines its yield, resilience, and sustainability. In Africa, where farming supports over 60% of the population, access to high-quality seeds is critical for food security and economic stability.

Data from the Seed Sector Performance Index (SSPI), which evaluates seed systems across 47 African Union member states, shows that availability of improved varieties is directly correlated to better yields and stronger systems. Among key crops, potatoes rank fourth in importance across the continent. But yields remain low due to disease, poor seed quality, and limited availability of certified planting material.

Solynta, a Dutch seed company, has developed hybrid true potato seeds to address these challenges. These seeds are lighter, cleaner, and easier to distribute than traditional tubers. Leading Solynta’s expansion across Africa is Charles Miller, Director of Strategic Alliances and Development.

In this interview with AgriTech Middle East & Africa Magazine, Miller expounds on the transformative power of hybrid seeds, the challenges of integrating new technologies into farming, and why seed quality is essential for food security.

Background and Motivation

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. What brought you to Solynta?

A: I’m Charles Miller, Director of Strategic Alliances and Business Development at Solynta. To give you a brief background on me, I grew up on a seed production farm – one of the first to produce hybrid grain sorghum. That experience taught me how much impact good seed can have. I’ve always worked at the intersection of research, farming, and business. Solynta’s work aligns perfectly with that. When I joined Solynta, I saw how committed the team was to solving real problems. We’re creating something that didn’t exist before – true potato seed for hybrid production. And it’s not just about innovation for the sake of it. We want to help farmers reduce risk, improve income, and build more resilient systems.

Q: What does Solynta do, and why does it matter now?

A: Solynta was formed in 2007. We spent over a decade on research and developed hybrid true potato seeds. Potatoes are genetically complex. They have four sets of chromosomes, which makes breeding a challenge. But now, we have stable parent lines – male and female – with defined traits like drought tolerance, better nutrient use, disease resistance, and improved yield.

These parent lines let us breed new varieties that suit different conditions. The key difference is that we supply true seeds, not bulky tubers. That makes our system easier to scale and more accessible.

Hybrid breeding also gives us precision. We know what’s in each variety. That makes it easier to meet farmers’ needs and respond to climate and market shifts. It’s a different way of thinking about potato farming.

Seed vs. Tuber

Q: Why is your approach a breakthrough for potato farming?

A: Traditionally, farmers save tubers from one season to plant the next. It’s a cycle that repeats, but it has a cost. Over time, soil-borne diseases accumulate. Even when you start with clean tubers, yields begin to drop after a few seasons.

With hybrid true seed, we give farmers clean starting material every time. Potatoes and tomatoes are part of the same family, so this seed works much like tomato seed. It can be stored, shipped, and planted at the farmer’s convenience.

To plant one hectare with tubers, you need about 2.5 tonnes. With hybrid seeds, it only takes 25 grams. That fits in the palm of your hand. For farmers in hard-to-reach areas, that’s a game changer.

Imagine a potato farmer in Rwanda. He bikes downhill to get seed tubers, then hauls heavy 100 kg sacks back uphill. That’s slow, tiring, and expensive. With hybrid seeds, he could carry everything he needs in a small tin. That alone reduces labor and cost.

Real-World Results

Q: What results have you seen so far?

A: We’ve had strong adoption in areas where farmers struggle to find good planting material – Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe. In Kenya, especially in the highlands, farmers face serious pressure from late blight. That can cut yields by 30 percent or more.

Last season, we released a variety with built-in resistance to late blight. These hybrids can survive with little or no fungicide. That lowers costs and improves environmental outcomes. Farmers who used our seed saw healthier crops and fewer losses. We have more varieties coming with similar benefits.

We also hear from farmers that the consistency of our seed matters. They know what to expect, and that gives them more confidence to invest. That trust is something we’ve worked hard to build.

And it’s important to mention, our hybrids are non-GMO. That matters both to farmers and the markets

Partnerships and Access

Q: You’ve worked with Mlango Farm in Kenya. How’s that going?

A: Mlango Farm is an organic farm in Kenya. They follow traditional methods, so it’s a great place to test how well our seeds work under standard conditions. Initially, they were skeptical. They had lost crops to blight before.

But they tried our resistant hybrids, and the results changed their outlook. They now plant every two weeks and haven’t sprayed fungicides since. Their farm has become a learning hub where we bring other farmers to see the crop firsthand.

That kind of peer-to-peer learning is powerful. Farmers trust each other. Seeing the crop in the field builds confidence.

Q: How else are you getting your seed to farmers?

A: We work with ETG through the Falcon Seed brand and with Bayer Vegetables. Both are strong partners with good distribution networks. In Southern Africa, RegenZ helps us reach farmers across the region.

These partners play a big role in what we call “last-mile access.” They help bring seed closer to where it’s needed. They also support training, logistics, and in some cases, financing.

Q: What about affordability for smallholders?

A: We’re working with microfinance partners to support access, though that part is still in development. Our model is B2B – we sell to distributors, not directly to farmers. So we count on those distributors to help bridge gaps in finance and reach.

Companies like Bayer and ETG are not only selling seed, but also helping farmers connect with markets. That’s critical. Seed access alone isn’t enough. Farmers also need a place to sell their crop.

Choosing the Right Partners

Q: What do you look for in a partner?

A: One of our core values is “togetherness.” We’re building something new, so we need partners with a long-term view. We work best with medium to large distributors who have the structure to support adoption and training.

There are many African seed companies growing quickly and bringing in new technology. Those are the types of partners we focus on.

We also look for alignment. If a partner shares our focus on quality, training, and long-term value, the partnership works better.

Regional Expansion

Q: What’s Solynta’s footprint in Africa?

A: Kenya is our base in East Africa. Nigeria covers the central belt. Zimbabwe leads in Southern Africa. Senegal supports West Africa, and Tunisia covers the north. This setup helps us learn from each region and adapt our varieties accordingly. Our team visits regularly, meets with partners, and supports on-farm demonstrations.

Q: How is performance looking in those areas?

A: In Nigeria, for example, yields have been low because of poor-quality planting material. We’ve run field trials and seen strong performance. We’re close to commercial rollout. In Zimbabwe, productivity is higher, but farmers still lack access to quality seed. Our seed fills that gap.

We’re encouraged by the feedback. Farmers are asking for more, and that tells us we’re on the right track.

Looking Ahead

Q: What trends are shaping the future of seed technology?

A: Soil health and biological treatments are gaining attention. There’s also growing interest in gene editing tools like CRISPR, but regulation differs from country to country. But even without those tools, we can do a lot with traditional breeding. That work continues.

We see value in building out data-driven breeding. More analytics, more insight, better decisions. That’s coming.

Q: What are some leadership lessons you’ve picked up along the way?

A: Keep your team aligned and focused. Everyone – from researchers to partners – must work toward the same goal. That’s what drives results. I’m speaking with you today, but the credit goes to our 120-person team. They’re the ones making this work.

Good leadership also means listening. Listening to farmers, listening to science, and being willing to adjust.

Q: What should we expect next from Solynta?

A: More resilient varieties, especially in Kenya and Southern Africa. We’ll continue improving performance, lowering risk, and offering farmers a better way to grow potatoes. That’s what we’re here to do.

You’ll also see stronger partnerships on the ground. We’re scaling sustainably and always with local needs in mind.

This article was initially published in a recent issue of Food Business Middle East & Africa Magazine.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.