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African Vegetable Breeding Consortium (AVBC)
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About the consortium
Strengthening vegetable breeding across Africa
The Africa Vegetable Breeding Consortium (AVBC) is a joint initiative of the World Vegetable Center and the African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA), created to strengthen Africa’s vegetable seed sector.
Established in 2018, AVBC connects seed companies with advanced vegetable-breeding research, improved genetic materials and experienced breeders and researchers.
The consortium provides a collaborative platform through which African seed companies can access innovation, share technical knowledge and participate in projects aligned with their commercial and research needs.
AVBC supports small, regional and international seed companies by helping them transform breeding innovations into competitive products suited to African markets.
Joint initiative
WorldVeg and AfSTA working together
AVBC combines the research expertise of the World Vegetable Center with AfSTA’s extensive seed-industry network, creating a practical bridge between breeding innovation and commercial seed-sector development.
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Member opportunities
What AVBC enables companies to do
AVBC gives participating seed companies practical opportunities to access research, strengthen technical capacity and develop valuable commercial partnerships.
Obtain
Access improved breeding materials, including varieties, inbred lines and hybrids.
Meet
Connect directly with breeders and researchers to strengthen technical networks and expertise.
Share
Exchange practical knowledge and experience with seed companies operating across Africa.
Invest
Participate in joint projects designed around the research and commercial needs of member companies.
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Why join AVBC?
Turn breeding innovation into commercial success
Reduce development costs and reach the market sooner
AVBC membership enables seed companies to reduce research and development costs, shorten time-to-market and access pre-validated breeding lines developed for African market requirements.
Direct support from WorldVeg breeders and participation in collaborative projects help reduce technical risk while improving product competitiveness and commercial potential.
Lower R&D Costs
Access shared research and breeding resources without independently developing everything from the beginning.
Faster Time-to-Market
Work with pre-validated breeding lines to accelerate product development and commercialisation.
Reduced Technical Risk
Receive support from experienced WorldVeg breeders and researchers throughout the development process.
Stronger Competitiveness
Develop improved products that respond to African growing conditions and commercial market needs.
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Elite genetics
Breeding materials available to members
Priority crops
Member accessEarly access to vegetable genetics developed for African markets
Tomato Pepper Onion Okra African Eggplant Amaranth Pumpkin Mungbean
Access to breeding materials is subject to the applicable consortium terms, availability and material-transfer requirements.
Market-ready potential
Explore improved varieties with characteristics relevant to African production environments and consumer needs.
Stronger breeding foundations
Access valuable parental material to support internal breeding and product-development programmes.
Commercial performance
Evaluate promising hybrid materials with the potential to strengthen product portfolios and market competitiveness.
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Membership eligibility
Who can join AVBC?
Open to AfSTA members in good standing
AVBC membership is available exclusively to companies that are active AfSTA members and fulfil the applicable membership requirements.
Current AfSTA membership Membership in good standing Interest in vegetable breeding and seed development Suitable for small, regional and international companies
Global vegetable research expertise
The World Vegetable Center is an autonomous, non-profit agricultural research institute committed to improving vegetable biodiversity, varieties and production systems.
Through global partnerships, WorldVeg develops research and innovation that support healthier diets, stronger livelihoods and more resilient agricultural systems.
Become an AVBC member
Membership Application Transform vegetable-breeding innovation into commercial success
Join AVBC to access elite genetics, technical expertise and collaborative opportunities designed for Africa’s vegetable seed sector.