WEST AFRICA SEED PROGRAM

WEST AFRICA SEED PROGRAM (WASP)

an ECOWAS Program funded by USAID,

implemented by CORAF/WECARD and hosted by WAAPP

WASP

To expand both the production and supply of good quality and improved certified seeds (OPV & Hybrid) from current 12% to 25% over the 5 year period of the program (2012 – 2017)

General Objective: To contribute to the sustainable improvement of agricultural production

Specific Objective: To increase sustainable production and use of good quality seeds of selected crop varieties in the region

Main activities cover Participating Countries: Benin Burkina Faso Ghana Mali Niger Nigeria Senegal

BUT Policy related activities will cover - All ECOWAS member states; and

Two CILSS countries that are not ECOWAS member states, namely Mauritania & Chad

Build an alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa

Support implementation of ECOWAS Seed Legislation and regulatory framework

Strengthen the capacities of the seed units of both private & public research organization to supply quality breeder seeds

Support active involvement of NSTAs & private sector in national seed industry affairs

Strengthen the agri – business capacity of the private sector

Neither public sector nor private sector, working alone, was able to ensure availability of agric inputs, including seeds, on a sustainable basis

Alliance provides a mechanism for the public and private sector stakeholders to share new ideas, expertise, financial resources and benefits from both partners

Therefore, the Alliance will work together at the regional and national levels to address critical constraints and issues of mutual interest

Partners such as USAID/WA, CGIAR Centers like IITA & ICRISAT, AfricaRice, WAAPP, EU, FAO, EMBRAPA, WB, ROPPA, AFDB, National Farmers’ Organization, International Seed Companies,

Others are AFSTA, AGRA, ICRISAT,

CILSS, HUB - RURAL

NARIs

Agric Extension

National Agric Seed Council

Nat. Seed Committees

Nat Var Rel Committee

Breeder seed production Variety trials Variety maintenance Training

Promotion of new varieties

Fostering linkages between farmers & seed entrepreneurs

Coordination activities

Governance issues

Release of new varietiesCataloguing of new varieties

National Seed Quality Control & Certification Agencies

Plant Protection Regulatory Services

Universities

National Seed Trade Associations

Implementation of Seed Policy

Regulatory Activities Plant Health

regulatory Activities Training Development of new

varieties Production of Seeds Marketing of Seeds

Breeder Seed Production Training for staffs of National Agric Research Institutes at NCRI, BadeggiAugust 28 -302013

Seed Business Management Training for Managers of seed SMEs at SAFTEC Hotel, MinnaSept 2 – 4,2013

HarmonizedECOWAS Seed Law Gazetted

Learning Visit to Kenya & Tanzania by Seed Experts & reps of Trade Associations from ECOWAS Countries including NigeriaOct 7-15 2013

Agri – business capacity building and credit access facilitation for seed SMEs

Breeder Seed Productiona) NCRI producing 16 tonnes of rice, andb) IAR&T producing 3 tonnes of maize

Building capacity of Agric Research Institutes to produce Breeder Seed

Formation of ASIWA – alliance for seed industry in West Africa, to involve all stakeholders

See to the take – off of a National Seed Committee to oversee the implementation of ECOWAS seed regulations

Form an alliance to bring stakeholders together for mobilizing, pooling resources together & avoiding duplication of efforts for delivery of quality seeds to farmers

Organize training for regulators of ECOWAS seed regulations

Procure equipment for National Research Institutes for planting, harvesting, processing, irrigation as well as seed laboratory

Strengthening of organizational, technical & agri – business capacities of private sector

Strengthening of NSTAs to deliver quality foundation and certified seed

Organize a National Seed Planning Workshop to determine seed requirements for all classes of seeds, project for the next 5 years and assign responsibilities

Provide assistance for SEEDAN, producer organizations (such as rice, maize & sorghum), and water user organizations

Establishment of an inclusive Alliance for Seed industry in West Africa (ASIWA)

Implementation of regional seed regulations at National Levels

Good Quality seeds produced and used Enhancement of private sector

participation in seed industry Agri – business capacities of small and

medium scale seed companies strengthened