Operationalizing a breeding seedling orchard approach for high-quality tree seed production in Ethiopia: Progress, plans and lessons of the Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolios project

TI  - Operationalizing a breeding seedling orchard approach for high-quality tree seed production in Ethiopia: Progress, plans and lessons of the Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolios project 
AU  - Pedercini, F. 
AU  - Abiyu, A. 
AU  - Tadesse, W. 
AU  - Kebede, Y. 
AU  - Nørgaard, C.T. 
AU  - Derero, A. 
AU  - Eshete, G. 
AU  - Getnet, B. 
AU  - Hansen, J.K. 
AU  - Elgaard, P. 
AU  - Lillesø, J-P.B. 
AU  - Kindt, R. 
AU  - Hendre, P. 
AU  - Muchugi, A. 
AU  - Jamnadass, R. 
AU  - Dawson, I.K. 
AU  - Graudal, L. 
AU  - Moestrup, S. 
AB  - The Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolios project (PATSPO) is addressing gaps in the supply of tree planting materials in Ethiopia by developing more effective tree seed delivery systems. One of PATSPO’s key efforts in its first (2017–2021) and second (2022–2026) phases has been the establishment of tree seed orchards to provide higher-quality seeds from a wide range of species. We describe this work here, mainly focusing on the breeding seedling orchards (BSOs) that have been planted, but also covering the seedling seed orchards (SSOs) established as another approach to boost seed supply. By the end of August 2025, the project had established 62 orchards – 27 BSOs and 35 SSOs – of which 33 were for native trees (of 13 species) and 29 for introduced trees (10 species). We also cover planned developments on tree seed production in Ethiopia that will take place under and/or be guided by PATSPO’s third phase, which began in April 2026 and will conclude at the end of 2029. Apart from summarizing this PATSPO work, the purpose of this report is to share insights from the project with the global tree planting community to improve the delivery of tree planting materials elsewhere. Key lessons gained from the project include the establishment of orchards early in any seed-delivery programme to demonstrate concrete outputs to stakeholders; balancing development goals with scientific progress in orchard activities; and fully integrating capacity building for partners and stakeholders in orchard operations. Additionally, since its commencement, PATSPO has received substantial backing from Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), which continues to support the project. This sustained support has enabled a coherent and functional orchard programme. This indicates the value of long-term donor engagement in achieving progress on tree seed supply. 
PY  - 2026 
PB  - CIFOR and ICRAF as Landscape Alliance 
PP  - Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, Kenya 
UR  - https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/9477/ 
DO  - https://doi.org/10.17528/landscapealliance/009477 
KW  - afforestation, forest conservation, forest trees, genetic resources, native species, plant breeding, planting material, reforestation, seed production, seed supply, sustainable forestry, technology transfer, tree planting, tree seeds 
ER  -