WASNET News 12

The Newsletter of the West Africa Seed Network (WASNET)

CORAF / WECARD

Secretariat: PO Box 9698, KIA Accra, Ghana

No. 12, February 2004 ISSN 1595–2312

T
his is the twelfth issue of ‘West Africa Seed and Planting Many thanks to those who contributed to this issue. There
Material’, the newsletter of the West Africa Seed was a feeling that the private sector is not well addressed
and Planting Material Network (WASNET). by WASNET despite their 50% presence at the Steering
WASNET addresses the needs and problems in the seed and Committee. To correct this feeling the IITA/GTZ/CSIR Seed
planting material sectors in West African countries and brings Project (WASDU/WASNET) together with AFSTA (African
together private and public seed actors from West African Seed Trade Association) and ATRIP/IFDC (African Trade
countries in a structure, which will encourage them to work Investment Program/International Fertilizer Development
together to strengthen national and regional seed industry Center) agreed to assist the private sector actors in their
development. request to be organized.
The WASNET newsletter is not only a tool through which the To achieve this, some countries (Guinea, Niger, Mali, and
latest developments of the seed and planting materials sectors Burkina Faso) were targeted for the organization (set up) of
are communicated to seed and planting material staff in West the National Seed Actors Association. In partnership with
Africa and beyond. It also aims to inform readers of what is the private and public seed actors in these countries, the
going on in the seed and planting material sector in other first official workshop of the National Seed Association was
networks or seed related associations in the world. Even more, scheduled as follows:
the newsletter can be seen as a forum of discussion whereby
Guinea (APIDIA) 14–15 April 2003 in Conakry
readers and contributors are allowed and encouraged to pose
and answer questions. Niger (APPSN) 26–27 October 2003 in Niamey
The last issues of the newsletter dealt mainly with the public Mali (ASSEMA) 30–31 October 2003 in Bamako
and formal seed institutions in WASNET member countries.
Burkina Faso (ANOSB) 03–04 November 2003 in
Emphasis in the current issue is shifted to the private seed
Ouagadougou.
and commercial channels of seed in sub-Saharan Africa.
In this issue are some useful information on successes of
There is a need to organize the
plant breeding of the four most important food crops in
private sector in West African
Africa: cassava, yam, maize, and plantain/banana, as well as
countries. In many countries,
cowpea, the most important legume grown in Africa and Do not forget to
the private sector is not well
soybean, the legume with the highest growth in the last decades send your comments
developed and governments do
in this continent. on articles and
not consider them as a voice
This issue presents the minutes of the harmonization of seed to listen to. Associations are contributions for the
rules and regulation meeting held on 29 March 2003 in the best way through which next issue of the
Nairobi, Kenya, aside of the fourth annual Congress of the seed industry can make its newsletter
African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA). voice heard.

Contents

Commercial Channels of Seed and Planting Materials in sub-Saharan Africa .......................................................2

Seed and Planting Materials Successes through Plant Breeding...........................................................................13
Harmonization of Seed Legislation in sub-Saharan Africa ..................................................................................17
Formal Seed Systems in WASNET Member Countries (Guinea and Mali).........................................................20
Other Seed Related Information.........................................................................................................................27
Courses, Meetings, Publications .........................................................................................................................28

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WASNET News 12

Commercial Channels of Seed and Planting

Materials in sub-Saharan Africa
Seed markets and regulations in sub-Saharan Africa
Joseph Elang

Introduction The seed market in sub-Saharan Africa

Right from attaining independence, most governments in The seed market in SSA is characterized by some disparities
sub-Saharan African countries relied on agriculture as the and its growth is hindered by major constraints.
lynchpin of their economic and social development.
Although the market appears well organized for cash crops
The reasons were manifold: with about 70% of the active governed by the sector approach, it is still in an embryonic
population, the agricultural sector ensures national food state regarding food crops, hence the low yields recorded by
security, at least one third of foreign exchange earnings, the sector.
and 15% of budget endowments. It accounts for almost
On the one hand, countries like Nigeria and South Africa,
25% of the GDP in addition to its multifaceted benefits to
two economically well advanced nations, have been able to
the other sectors.
raise their seed industries to the level of those in western
However, despite the great achievements and potentials of the countries. On the other hand, other countries like Chad and
agricultural sector in those countries, the seed market has never The Republic of Congo fully rely on imported seeds because
been developed or organized. Worst still, it is being constrained their local seed infrastructures were destroyed by fratricidal
by the economic crisis plaguing the region since 1985. wars. Between these two extremes are Cameroon, Côte
As a matter of fact, farm products have become less competitive d’Ivoire, Kenya, Zimbabwe, etc., which produce part of their
due to a number of adverse factors such as falling exchange seeds locally and also import part particularly during natural
rate, rising production costs, and cumbersome management disasters like floods, drought, etc.
procedures in public enterprises and administration. As a But if the production and marketing of cash crops are local,
result, government had to embark on a string of measures, almost all the vegetable seed stock is imported from Europe
namely: where they grow in different ecologies, hence some problems
• Step by step liberalization of seed supplies. of adaptation.
• Privatization of production and marketing activities.
• Increased empowerment of seed farmers. The history of the seed market in SSA
• Establishment of an attractive environment. The development of the seed market in SSA went through
• Development of a regulatory and institutional three major stages: from 1960 to 1970, 1970 to 1985 and
framework. 1985 to the present time.
With the HIPC (highly indebted poor countries) initiative,
whose goal is poverty reduction, seed market organization From 1960 to 1970
has become an essential requirement. Agriculture, which During the colonial era and until a few years afterwards (till
undoubtedly offers a comparative advantage to most of these 1970), the seed market had been run by multinationals most
countries, should become a performing sector for it to play of which owned research stations; e.g. IRAT (Institute of
its three-pronged part as provider of food security, surplus Tropical Agricultural Research); IRCT (Cotton and Textile
incomes, and new jobs. For this to happen, there is need Research Institute); IRHO (Oil and Oilseed Research
to step up agricultural modernization, by promoting the Institute); CFDT (Compagnie française de développement
use of good quality seed as a matter of priority. Admittedly, des fibres textiles), etc. Those companies, which mostly deal
seeds are of paramount importance in increasing yields in cash crops (cocoa, coffee, cotton, oil palm, tobacco, etc.),
through healthier and cost effective means. As reservoirs of would import foundation seeds from parent companies,
the plant genetic potential, they also determine the highest multiply them through a network of contract growers, and
effect of the other inputs. For this purpose, the seed market distribute them first and foremost to their farmers. Generally,
should be improved and organized with the adoption of seeds like the other inputs were contributed and deducted
flexible and attractive laws and regulations as in Cameroon. at harvest. On the other hand, food crops were neglected,
This will bring about a new breed of rural entrepreneurs in or were bartered or purchased from growers reputed for the
the subsector. good performance of the varieties they sell on the market.

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From 1970 to 1985 the trade, those neophytes get trained and organized to
This was the period when the majority of African countries offer good quality product. The seed sector is gaining
attained national sovereignty. Conscious of the role of food recognition and the division of labor is evolving with each
security in the global development strategy, the various actor trying to perform efficiently. The seed trade is chiefly
governments established state-owned companies with a seed dominated by the will of governments to develop the seed
component to cover research, production, multiplication, industry given its impact on poverty alleviation. Their major
and distribution of food seeds. Thus, MIDEVIV (Mission de concern is also to organize and improve seed markets through
développement des cultures vivrières, fruitières et maraîchères the following actions:
autour des centres urbains) was born in Cameroon and was
– Creation of a conducive environment (funding structures,
tasked with the development of some staple food crops,
tax benefits on imported items, property, etc.).
namely plantain, maize, peanut, fruit trees, etc. At the same
– Establishment of an institutional and regulatory
time, ecologically oriented farms were created to multiply and
framework to make the various actors feel secure.
distribute seeds through the technical services of the Ministry
– Support to the various actors of the seed chain including
of Agriculture. However, it must be pointed out that economic
technical government services and agricultural research.
activity, based on a heavily subsidized agriculture, was fully
controlled by the government. It is also during this era that
Products
subsidiaries of foreign research companies were nationalized.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the seed trade covers two major
Despite the efforts made by the various governments, categories: dry and wet seeds.
things did not turn out as expected; the situation was still
characterized by substantial seed requirements, low quality Dry seeds with moisture content below 10% comprise
seed, and a rudimentary seed industry. vegetable seeds imported mainly from EU countries,
USA and Asia, cereals (particularly maize, sorghum, and
From 1985 to the present time millet) and leguminous seeds (peanut, bean, cowpea, Bambara
nut) which are increasingly produced locally. But hybrid
1985/1986 marked the beginning of economic depression in
seeds are still imported from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and
sub-Saharan Africa. A combination of several adverse factors,
West Africa.
namely the deterioration of the terms of trade, falling prices
for major commodities, and rising production costs, as well Wet seeds with more than 90% of moisture content are made
as cumbersome management procedures plunged African up of Irish potato, seed yam, fruit tree, and oil palm plantlets.
countries into an unprecedentedly deep and lingering They are generally produced locally in specialized research
economic recession. centers.
In order to do away with the crisis, the leaders had to put in As for the amounts produced, only a few estimates can be
place a string of adjustment measures, first internally and then obtained in the absence of reliable statistical data. One can
with the support of the international financial community. note in passing a rapid development of vegetable crops around
Thus, the following moves were taken with regard to the seed urban areas as well as efforts made by some private operators
sector: and research centers to develop and multiply vegetable seeds;
– Liberalization of the seed trade; e.g. onion, okra, pepper, Irish potato, tomato, etc.
– State withdrawal from seed production and Considering the modest trans-border trade of seeds and
marketing activities in favor of the private sector; planting materials, it can be argued that locally produced
– Empowerment of seed growers; seeds are generally own-consumed.
– Attempts at seed trade organization.
As a general rule, and particularly in CEMAC (Economic
This period was also marked by liberalization and state and Monetary Community of Central Africa) countries, the
withdrawal, which initially, had a negative impact on farmers following observations can be made:
who felt abandoned. Seed markets were thus flooded with
low-grade products from sellers who were but profit minded. 1. Traditional seeds cover at least 80% of the market
The drawbacks in terms of yields, environment and health and improved seeds less than 20%.
were tragic. 2. Over 90% of legume and vegetable seeds are
imported and 10% are produced locally.
Present trends of seed trade in 3. Hybrid seeds account for 10–15% of the
market and mainly consist of maize.
sub-Saharan Africa
4. Millet and sorghum seeds top the list in terms
Since the devaluation of the CFA franc and the advent of quantity and demand followed by maize.
of the HIPC initiative, the seed trade is obviously getting 5. The demand for onion, tomato, and pepper
off the ground thanks to rekindled awareness of all the seeds is growing significantly.
stakeholders of the sector. The seed trade is currently marked
by the emergence of government-backed entrepreneurs whose The following data on the food market have been drawn from
ambition is to promote the seed sector. Almost breaking into the scanty statistics available at CEMAC.

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Onions are ranked first (2755 tonnes) followed by cassava – The retailers who fall into three categories;
and its byproducts (1381 tonnes), vegetable crops (1,039 • Franchised retailers with exclusive contracts
tonnes), plantain (890 tonnes), tomato (708 tonnes), fruits to distribute only a company’s brand;
(705 tonnes), peanuts (649 tonnes) cocoyams and taros (524 • Multicard retailers who juggle with all the brand names;
tonnes), dry bean (285 tonnes) and Irish potato (281 tonnes). • Undocumented street hawkers.
In terms of cultivated areas, sorghum comes first (1.2 million
ha), followed by millet (0.7 million ha), maize (0.5 million The socioeconomic environment
ha), cassava (0.5 million Ha). As for cash crops, cotton is at The present environment of globalization is characterized
the top of the list (0.4 million ha) followed by cocoa (0.3 by all-out competition. Legally established operators are
million ha) and coffee (0.3 million ha). The last figures give penalized by a lack of institutional and regulatory framework
some indication of seed requirements and, consequently, of as they face amateurs who flood the market with low quality
the seed market of the CEMAC which, with its six member products. The situation will certainly improve if there are seed
countries, covers a total population of over 30 million people laws and an attractive environment put in place.
on a land area close to 3 000 000 km2.
Constraints to the development of
Pricing seed trade in sub-Saharan Africa
Seed trade has been liberalized and yet standard prices are The development of seed trade in sub-Saharan Africa is
being implemented with some variation due to transportation confronted with major constraints including:
cost. Some importers with fraudulent intention set highly
uncompetitive prices when they succeed in smuggling in their Natural constraints
goods. The huge price gap between hybrid and composite – Unfavorable climate for plant growth.
seeds partly explains farmers’ reluctance to purchase hybrid – Fragile, unfertile, and often arid soils.
seeds. Profit margins on their part vary from crop to crop. – Isolated production zones.
However, they are more attractive for dry seeds (up to 200%)
than for wet seeds (barely 50%). Economic and technical constraints
– Small market with no room for profitable investments.
Distribution channels – Lack of breeder and foundation seeds favoring low-
On the whole, seeds, especially wet seeds, are not marketed grade seeds in the market.
through any organized channel. Seed sales, which for a long – Dislocation of the main functions of the seed chain:
time remained a state controlled activity, gradually became a the various actors of the seed sector are not known and
private business. do not collaborate, hence the conflicts arising in the
performance of activities.
Seed marketing involves several levels:
– Lack of a funding structure adapted to agriculture
– Vegetable seeds are marketed by private and likely to take account of the risks and vagaries
agro-businesses specialized in the trade of associated with agricultural activity.
inputs and enjoying a maze of sales points. – Absence of an attractive environment.
– Regional companies and projects, very often – Lack of a distribution network, so much so that seeds
handling one crop (cotton, coffee, cocoa, are not available at the time of planting.
rubber, etc.) are involved in on-farm seed – Lack of coordination of seed related activities.
dissemination. – Nonexistence of institutional and regulatory framework.
– Government is still distributing seeds on the – Lack of effective extension system.
remaining public seed farms. – Unavailability and high costs of agricultural inputs
– Local markets, which often open periodically for (fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, farming implement, etc.).
transactions, remain the major source of supplies
of traditional seeds. Social constraints
– The barter system is used in villages. – Lack of professionals of the seed trade;
But the real constraint to seed distribution is the lack of – Farmers’ reluctance to adopt new technologies.
appropriate seed storage facilities to ensure good quality seed
Biotic constraints are due to pests, diseases, and grain-
across seasons.
eating birds.
The actors
Future prospects of seed markets
In Cameroon, there are four groups of actors:
The future augurs rather well for the development of the seed
– The importers/distributors: Tropicasem, Jaco, etc. market in sub-Saharan Africa. The signals include the present
– The growers: AOUDI Sanguéré, GIC TONGO, SCAP, etc. economic situation that is particularly favorable for a genuine
– The growers/distributors: Prosemcam, Afrisem, seed industry, as well as the opportunities offered by the HIPC
PELENGET initiative in the fight against poverty.

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Improvement of environmental conditions At present, all the African countries are focused on the
The vast majority of African countries in sub-Saharan Africa, drafting of appropriate seed legislations. Regional groupings
who choose agriculture as their battle horse in the process of are being set up on harmonization, coordination, and
economic development, have embarked on policies aimed at cost issues.
establishing an enabling environment for the promotion of
the seed sector: Justification of seed laws
The question that springs to mind is the need for a common
– The organization and regulation of the seed sector;
seed legislation for Africa. During the pre- and post-colonial
– The transfer of seed production and marketing
era, seed related activities were concentrated in the hands of
functions to a more dynamic private sector;
the state which could not be both judge and jury by putting
– The emergence of a new breed of more efficient
a legislation in place. The situation has changed in the wake
operators;
of liberalization and state withdrawal, making a system of
– A massive government support to the sector
arbitrage mandatory.
in the form of an array of facilities to attract
investors, etc. Indeed, demand and supply mechanisms in seed trade call for
quality control as the buyer cannot assess with certainty the
HIPC and poverty alleviation product quality, and as the popular saying goes ‘‘nothing looks
Agriculture is a major asset for most African countries given like a good seed than a dead one’’.
its potentials. It employs on average 60 to 70% of the active
population. Thus, it appears as the main focus of governments Characteristics of seed laws in sub-Saharan
and international organizations in the fight against poverty. Africa: Cameroon
Admittedly, poverty cannot be controlled in the absence of
sustainable economic growth involving the development of The goal and objectives of the Seed Act in Cameroon
agriculture. The HIPC initiative, which benefits most of those Generally the Seed Act lays down the conditions for the
countries, is an opportunity for Public Powers to obtain more conduct of seed related activities.
resources for poverty alleviation. Therefore, it is hoped that a The law sets out the general principles of the regulatory
large proportion of investments will be on good quality seeds framework governing seed importation, production, and
in order to modernize agriculture, and overcome the host of marketing. The enactment of (enforceable) technical
challenges earlierdescribed. regulations is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture
and the National Seed Board.
Seed regulation in sub-Saharan Africa
Its purpose is to promote agricultural development
Generalities of seed regulation in sub-Saharan and improve the seed trade through the following
Africa measures:
Generally speaking in Africa, the level of regulation varies
according to the region and the country, as well as the – Definition of technical standards;
level of agricultural development. Regulatory machineries – Protection of the actors against unfair competition;
are well advanced in West, East, and southern Africa, but are – Protection of the breeder against fraud and forgery;
still quite rudimentary in Central Africa where the majority – Guaranty of high-grade seeds to the users.
of the countries have not passed any seed legislation. Existing Bodies established/institutionalized by law
regulations, where appropriate, are so restrictive that
New bodies were established by law and charged with specific
they appear rather like obstacles to investments. It is essential
tasks:
that they be reviewed for greater flexibility. To import
and export seeds, the countries generally follow international 1. The National Seed Board (CSN): Advisory body
regulations laid down by bodies such as ISTA, EU, responsible for the coordination and monitoring of
OECD, etc. the implementation of government policy. It has a
permanent secretariat which sees to the day-to-day
However, it must be pointed out that even in the absence
execution of missions assigned by the Board through
of an official seed regulation exercise, each country employs
a Technical Seed Committee (CTS) comprising task
various devices for seed quality control and trade regulation.
forces on variety registration, quality control, and
The main control instruments are:
certification.
– Plant protection department of the Ministry of 2. The National Seed Registration Committee charged
Agriculture (Plant quarantine services); with the introduction of new varieties following
– Research services; conclusive trials.
– Customs services in ports and airports; 3. The catalog of species and varieties grown in
– Economic and commercial services; Cameroon.
– Fraud squad; 4. Adapted certification and mandatory control prior to
– The law and other services (police, gendarmerie, etc.). marketing.

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Lastly, the law provides for incentives and penalties: Unfortunately, seed markets in sub-Saharan Africa remain by
and large barely developed due to a number of negative factors.
• Low-interest loans;
The various governments are trying to reverse the situation
• Training of professionals;
by lending credibility to agriculture in the context of poverty
• Market information;
alleviation. Thus, the authorities have demonstrated their
• Fines and penal sanctions.
political will by placing special emphasis on the development
Features of the Seed Act in Cameroon of the seed industry as a means to induce the modernization
of agriculture and, consequently, of sustainable economic
The Seed Act in Cameroon has two main characteristics: it is
growth. The steps being taken cover various aspects: organize
flexible and incentive driven.
the production of breeder and foundation seeds; organize the
It is flexible because: seed sector by creating an attractive environment as well as
an institutional and regulatory framework, and lastly, provide
– The proposed certification system does not
support to all the actors of the seed chain. The formation of
apply systematically to all types of seeds.
regional groupings for a better coordination and harmonization
– The certification system takes account of the
of seed related projects, with the ensuing savings in time and
economic and technical constraints of the seed
financial resources, is an initiative that should be encouraged.
market while preserving its main mission, which
is to guarantee seed quality.
– Certification is done gradually on the basis of the Recommendations
economic interest of the country. 1. Ensure that the various African governments fulfill
their commitments to divert part of the oil revenues to
The Seed Act in Cameroon is also incentive driven: the development of agriculture in general, and of seeds
– It does not set any barrier to access to the in particular.
seed market. The conduct of seed related activities 2. Promote local production of seeds within regional
is subject to a simple declaration. groupings in order to facilitate the coordination and
– The Act provides for active involvement of harmonization exercise and to reduce costs.
intermediary actors (seed breeders, growers, packaging 3. Encourage states and private operators in setting up
specialists, importers, and distributors) in the bodies to take care of agricultural statistics and seed
management of the sector. market information for a better planning of seed related
– Membership to the NSB allows for a large activities and greater transparency in pricing.
representation of economic operators. 4. Strengthen research structures by developing high-
– The Act protects the interests of the different yielding and ecologically adapted varieties.
actors of the sector against fraud, unfair competition, 5. Emphasize capacity building (training) at all levels.
and forgery. 6. Set up funding structures that have been successfully
– The Act provides for sanctions against fraud. experimented in other countries.
7. Promote professionalism in agriculture in general and
Conclusion in seed production in particular.
8. Improve allied services such as roads, drying, storage,
In the context of a more competitive agricultural sector that is
and processing units, etc.
meant to fully play its role, special attention must be accorded
to the development of the seed market, knowing that seeds are Joseph Elang ACOSEC, (Association du Commerce des Semences du Cameroun) BP 5655
a key element of agricultural output. Douala, Cameroun Tel 237+3475241 Fax 237+2475246 Email [email protected]

Seed sector actors and seed and planting material

sources for roots and tuber crops in Togo
Kossi M. Sedzro

Introduction This presentation will focus mainly on the two most popular
Roots and tuber crops (cassava, yam, sweetpotato, and roots and tuber crops in Togo: cassava and yam. According to
cocoyam) are important food crops in Togo. They are agricultural records, the annual national production figures
considered as staple diet by the people or as sources of generally range from 400 000 to 500 000 tonnes (Desa 1970/
income by the farmers. Roots and tuber crops contribute to 2000). Over the last three decades, cassava and yam production
the improvement of food security and poverty alleviation in has been erratic and, above all, did not tally with population
rural areas (Horton 1988; CTA 1987; Akoroda 1992). growth (Desa 1970/2000; Lev and Shriver 1998).

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Factors often mentioned as the causes Key actors of seed yam sector
of such low production data include:
– Low soil fertility or lack of
Agricultural
adequate quantity or/and quality research
of planting material.
– Roots and tubers are special
Trial and dissemination
crops compared with cereals; the of improved varieties
planting material is heavy and Men and women
cumbersome and, as a result, collectors
not easily transported (Bell et Wife of yam
Yam farmer
grower and Women traders
al. 2000, Gregg and Van Gastel of seed yam
seed yam
Transportation of seed Seed yam
1997). For example, to plant seller Transporters
yam to the market seller
one hectare of maize, the farmer
needs to carry only 20–25 kg
of seeds to his plot, while for
the same acreage of cassava, he
will have to transport 8000 to Other yam producers
10 000 stem cuttings weighing Seed yam clients
more than one tonne.
Efforts made in the 1980s, especially The actors are farmers, traders, collectors, and transporters
by the International Institute of Tropi-
cal Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration
with national research and technology
transfer programs of the subregion to boost the production Supply by the neighbor
of roots and tuber crops did not yield the expected results, If the farmer cannot produce his own seeds, he can buy
if put against the amount of resources invested (Ajayi 2000; from neighboring yam farmers. He can pay cash or in
Kugbei 2000). kind by contributing labor for mounding, for example.
The question was how to produce enough good quality roots In this case, he could make contacts and inform his
and tubers planting material to meet production needs. supplier in advance about his choice of varieties and amounts
required. This is the mode of supply mostly used by farmers
To answer the question, one had to find out about the source who are just beginning. It also provides the farmer with a
of such plant material, the key actors in the roots and tuber large gamut of yam species and varieties to grow on his farm.
crops seed sector in Togo, their main roles, and the main Each variety in his yam collection meets a specific need (sale,
problems they are facing. consumption, etc.).

Sources of seed supply Making contacts beforehand is crucial for a timely supply
The farmer collects his planting material from his own farm of seeds with desired characteristics. The farmer who sells
(self-supply) or from other yam farmers. seed yam usually begins selling after planting his own farm.
Therefore, the seed buyer has to wait even if he’s been left
behind by the cropping calendar.
Self supply
The farmer plants the seed yam from the previous season, Market supply
namely yam heads, small tubers of fragments of big tubers.
The farmer can purchase his seed yam on the market where
Yam heads are derived from the milking of early-maturing he is offered a variety of choices. But he may be running
double harvest varieties. The small and large tubers are some risks if he does not take some precautions:
carefully selected and put aside by the farmer after harvest at – The risk of buying a mixture of varieties he may
the end of a full cycle. not be able to identify or missing the desired variety;
Milking allows an early first harvest for sale or own- – The risk of buying unclean seeds (infested by
consumption and the collection of good quality seeds. mealybugs, dry rot, etc.). Such infestations are
Nevertheless, it presents a few drawbacks, namely: not always visible at the time of purchase.

– The obligation to milk inside the growing cycle just for Tests and adoption of new varieties
seeds even if bulking is not well advanced or rainfall Agricultural research introduces new varieties which are
inadequate (low rainfall). tested on-farm for adoption by the farmers should the
– The risk of asphyxiation or death of the plant when latter find them interesting or with good performance. The
milking takes place under high rainfall conditions varieties are moving from farmer-to-farmer without any real
(development of fungi). extension program.

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WASNET News 12

in Togo include: laboco, heabalo, katala, doudakou, kani,

Key actors of the cassava seed sector
teklo, brutani, alassoyi, roumolkou, kratsi, koukou, kabansi,
yema, ato, sossogan, gnalabou, katchabina, kpeyené, hegbete,
Cassava farmer/
voté, sakata, and tounatalou.
stem cuttings
supplier Main constraints to seed yam production
The constraints to yam production also affecting seeds
include:
Research and – Scarcity and high cost of seed;
extension institutions Sellers of
Transportation of cassava cassava stem
– Lack of farmhands especially at the peak of the
supplying improved
planting setts stems to other farmer’s cuttings in the growing season;
for trials and cassava field market – Diseases and rodents;
dissemination
– Lack of land both in quantity and quality.

Key actors of the seed trade

There are two types of yam traders: the seed
Other cassava
farmers/buyers of grower and the woman seed trader. Both men
cassava stems and women are involved in the seed trade but the
former sells at the farm gate while the latter sells at
market places.

Seed yam growers Seed growers/traders

Seed yams are cultivated along with ware yams on the same The yam farmer himself or his wife carries the seed to the
plot. Part of the seed yam production is sold to other farmers market for sale. But usually, the farmer directly sells his seed
and to traders. yam at the storage point. A survey showed that 48% of seed
growers sell at the granary (this could be on-farm), 27% in
Objectives of the seed yam grower the village market, 10% in the house, and the remaining 15%
A survey conducted among yam farmers showed that the in markets outside the village. He is engaged in whole and
farmer produces seeds in 27% of cases for his own farm, 32% retail sales. The yam seed growers/traders control the sector
for sale, and 41% for both (own farm and sale). not only in terms of the amounts of seed produced but also
in terms of trading period. They sell only after meeting their
Seed yam production techniques own seed requirements.
The seed yams used by the farmer may originate from:
Women seed traders
• Milking: applied mainly on early-maturing or double
Generally these are traders who, in addition to the ware
harvest yam varieties (Laboco, Kpona, etc.).
yam, sell seed yams in the market or at home. The trader
• Disease-free minisetts carefully selected and put
can purchase her seed stock from her husband’s vendor or be
aside at harvest at the end of the growing cycle.
assisted by collectors who pick seed yam supplies from the
• Disease-free large tubers harvested at the end of
grower on her behalf.
the cycle and carefully selected for cutting into
mini-fragments.
Main difficulties encountered by women traders
• Small size yam tubers obtained through rapid
multiplication technique. These boil down to storage losses, high cost, and the necessary
care associated with seed transportation. Storage losses
Main elements of production cost are mainly due to rodents, rots caused by insect pests and
diseases, etc.
According to a survey carried out in 2002 in a yam production
region, the following are, by order of importance, the main
Seed carriers and marketing channel
elements of the production cost of yam:
Traders use the services of haulage contractors to transport
– Seeds (57%); their products by lorries or pick-up vans.
– Labor for different farm work including land preparation,
mounding, planting, weeding, milking, etc. (41%); Farmers who decide to sell their seeds in the market or
– Land (2%). need some seeds for their own farms can also use the same
services.
Cultivated varieties The high cost and difficulty assoiated with transportation are
Varieties retained for extension are: loboko, florido, koukou, proven factors limiting the extension of the marketing channel
kratsi, katala. The most common varieties in the yam belt to yam production areas.

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 WASNET News 12

Research and extension institution

Key actors of Irish potato seed The extension and dissemination of planting materials are
sector not well structured. However, improved materials are released
by research and extension institutions for on-farm trials and
dissemination. Following the trials, any material considered
Main importers of Irish
potato seed good by farmers spread without the intervention of extension
services.
(Seed importation and
self supply by positive Thus, the following varieties have been disseminated: TMS
selection method)
30572, 30555, 30001, and 4(2)-1425, 312 524, Tuaka,
Gbazékouté, etc.

Sweetpotato, cocoyam, and Irish potato

Irish potato The sweetpotato and cocoyam seed sectors and planting mate-
smallholder farmers rials supply conditions are almost similar to those of cassava.
(Seed purchse and Irish potato farmers are the main actors of that seed sector.
self-supply by positive
selection method)
Irish potato seed supply
Irish potato seeds must be imported from Europe (France and
particularly Holland) almost every season. Imported seeds are
quite expensive (more than 50% of production costs).
The key actors of the cassava seed sector are cassava farmers Varieties that are adapted to the cropping conditions are not
and cassava stems sellers. always available when orders are placed, or do not arrive in
time for planting from April to May, or have not reached
Origin of planting setts adequate physiological maturity on arrival.
The planting material used by the farmer originates from Agricultural credit is not often available or easily accessible
his own farm, from neighboring cassava fields, or from the to enable the funding of seed importation, in particular.
market. Smallholder farmers cannot, on their own and individually,
import the minimum quantity of seeds prescribed by the
Own farm European suppliers.
These are stem cuttings from the farmer’s own unharvested field
Research carried out in collaboration with Danyi farmers
used as woodlot, or from stem material kept under observation
has shown that farmers can produce their own seeds using
after harvest, should harvesting occur before the rains are steady
the positive selection approach recommended by the Centro
during the new season. Cuttings from stems under evaluation
International de la Papa (CIP) and imported first generation
have a low recovery rate due to partial dehydration.
seeds.
No farmer is engaged in the multiplication of cassava stem
cuttings. Therefore, planting setts must come from one’s own Conclusion
field or from other farmers. The main sources of seeds for roots and tuber crops in Togo
are: own farm, neighbor, and markets. However seeds from
Neighboring farm or market the farmer’s own farm is the most prevailing source of supply
If the farmer cannot obtain planting setts from his own farm, and the farmer here is the main actor.
he can contact the neighboring farmer who will usually give
There is no farmer involved solely in the multiplication
out the quantity he can afford free of charge. The farmer can
of planting setts. The farmer is also the seed grower. The
always obtain planting setts of new cassava varieties from
extension and dissemination of planting materials are not
his neighbor to supplement or enrich his cassava collection
well structured.
depending on production objectives (own consumption,
marketing, processing). If his needs are still not met, he can
Bibliography
then turn to the market.
Ajayi, S.A. 2000. Les enjeux d’une participation du secteur
The sale of cassava stems at market places or by the roadside semencier privé au développement agricole en Afrique in Le
is common particularly in locations where cassava planting secteur semencier privé : Point de vue et opinions. WASNET
material is in short supply and where cassava stems are secrétariat PO Box 9698, Accra, Ghana.
sometimes used as firewood. According to a survey conducted Akoroda, M.O. 1992. Root crops for food security in Africa.
in 2002, the prices set by the farmers vary greatly from 10 to Proceeding of the fith triennal symposium of the International
15 FCFA per stem of 8–10 cuttings in Togo and Bénin to Society for Tropical Root Crops—Africa Branch (ISTRC—AB),
about 5 Cedis per stem in Ghana. held at Kampala, Uganda, 22–28 November 1992.

9
WASNET News 12

Bell, A., O. Mük, and B. Schuler. 2000. Les richesses du sol: Les Kugbei, S. 2000. Les défis de la privatisation du secteur semencier
plantes à racines et tubercules en Afrique: une contribution au dans les pays en développement in Le secteur semencier privé :
développement des technologies de récolte et d’après-récolte. Point de vue et opinions WASNET, secrétariat PO Box 9698,
Accra, Ghana.
CTA. 1987. La réalisation du potentiel de production alimentaire
de l’Afrique. Centre Technique de Coopération Agricole et Rurale Lev, L.S. et A.L. Shriver. 1998. A trend analysis of yam production,
6700 AJ Wageningen, Pays Bas. Pages 17–20. area, yield, and trade (1961–1996) in L’igname, plante séculaire, et
culture d’avenir. Actes du séminaire international 3–5 juin 1997,
DESA. 1970/2000. Production des principales cultures vivrières
CIRAD, INRA, ORSTOM, CORAF, Montpellier, France.
Ministère du Développement Rural, Lomé, Togo.
Orkwor, G.C. 1998. Seed yam production technologie: the yam
Gregg, B.R. and A.J.G. van Gastel. 1997. Managing seed
minisett technique in L’igname, plante séculaire et culture d’avenir.
marketing. WASDU Publication No. 1, Kumasi, Ghana.
Actes du séminaire international 3–5 juin 1997, CIRAD, INRA,
Gregg, B.R. 2000. Qu’est ce que vraiment la privatisation ? in ORSTOM, CORAF, Montpellier, France.
Le secteur semencier privé : Point de vue et opinions WASNET,
Orkwor, G.C. and R. Asiedu. 1998. Agronomy in yood yams,
secrétariat PO Box 9698, Accra, Ghana.
advances in research, IITA, NRCRI, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Horton, D. 1988. Underground crops: long-term trends in
production of roots and tubers. Winrock International Institut for Kossi M. Sedzro, Agroéconomiste, chercheur à l’ITRA/CRAL; BP 2318 Lomé, Togo;
agricultural Development, Morrilton, USA. Tel: (228) 250043 or 251559; Fax: (228) 251559; [email protected] ou [email protected]

Dissemination of improved seeds by farmer

organizations in the Dosso area in Niger: a solution
to the problem of seed supply in rural areas
Illya Miko

Background and current situation The need for support and the
Despite the efforts made by the Government of approach used
Niger since the 1980s, the agricultural input supply Since 1999, The PADER project in Dosso felt the need to
system in general, and the improved seed supply, rely on rural organizations and collaborate with INRAN to
in particular, have been dysfunctional. However, develop a strategy for the production and dissemination of
Government was able to put up a seed scheme under good quality seed of improved varieties in rural areas. Thus,
the National Grain Program (PCN) to assist the research 23 farmers’ groupings were prepared to embark on the spread of
program in the supply of breeder seeds (M0) to Lossa
Seed Farm.
Figure 1. Distribution of groupings in the
The M0 seeds are multiplied into M1 seeds on that site Dosso area.
and given to secondary seed multiplication centers for the
production of M2 seeds. The M2 seeds are made available
Birni Loga Doutchi
to pilot farmers around the centers for the production of Kobiri Garba Doubalma Ouida
Koutou Kodra
M3 seeds for release. Garoubey Sokorbi Komey
Bosse Zougou Kalladeiy Kaina Konkorindo
This scheme came across serious operational difficulties Poullo Afoli
and the efforts quickly fell through with the program Banigoumgou Dolli
phasing out in 1990. Since then, Development Projects Loga Doutchi
and NGOs, each in its own mandate area, have been
trying to address the constraints associated with seed Dosso
supply with the backing of rural organizations. Birni G
Dosso Toumga
Hamka Tombo
Consequently, the Projet d'Appui au Développement Marafa Kodra
Rural (Rural Development Support Program) of the Singui Bassey
Kigoudou Kodra
Dosso Department and the National Institute of Gaya
Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN) have joined Koudourou
hands since 1999 in 23 R&D villages across the Koma Biri
department (Fig. 1), with a view to establishing a Agi Mouraba Gaya
Hankoua
network of specialized groupings (GSMS) tasked with Albarkaon
the multiplication and diffusion of adequate quantities
Chef lieu du département Position des groupements
of improved good quality seeds.

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 WASNET News 12

improved seeds. From 1999 to 2001,

those groupings first carried out Table 1. Type of TMP conducted per crop based on production
varietal trials based on production constraints.
constraints identified during Production constraints Planned tests/activities Varietal technologies tested
diagnostic surveys conducted on
their lands. At the end of the trials, Constraints/cycle Earliness trials • Millet: SRMT-490 et
the varieties to be multiplied were of local varieties CT6, HKP et H80-10GR
• Cowpea: TN27-80 et
retained and the farmers trained
TN28-87
on the practical conduct of seed
• Peanut: T177-83 et T169-83
multiplication plots. Table 1 gives
the types of trials carried out from Production constraints Yield trials • Millet: Zatib et GR-P1 et MTDO-92
1999 to 2001 in line with identified of local cultivars • Cowpea: TN256-87 et TN3-78
• Sorghum: NAD-1 et Sepon-82
production constraints.
• Peanut: T181-83 et TS32-1
• Rice: FKR-48 et D52-37, FKR-48
Steps towards et IR2042
sustainable operations
Constraints/millet Resistance • Cowpea: TN121-80 et TN93-80
In order to render the seed and cowpea Striga to Striga
multiplication networks sustainable
Constraints/Cowpea Resistance • Cowpea: IT90K372-1-2 et
and to put established GSMS on a
parasites to thrips IT89KD374-57
sound footing across the department,
the following steps have been taken:

Organizational arrangements Farmer level

There are a number of minimum requirements for seed
Grouping level multiplication by the farmers. Selected farmers are those with
R&D villages were identified based on the existence of their farms sited away from seed multiplication plots. They are
registered farmer organizations. For the sake of professionalism, credit worthy seed growers who can afford production inputs
seed growers were gradually led to set up the Groupement to guarantee the success of the growing season. To secure
Spécialisé de Multiplication de Semences GSMS Specialized adequate management of multiplication plots in line with
Seed Multiplication Groups) in each village. the technical standards applied in the village, multiplication
plots are blocked to allow for synchronized plot maintenance
The GSMS are authorized by government order
operations.
N°96-067 of 9. November 1996 establishing the regime of
rural cooperatives, and the bylaw N°96-430/PRN/MAG/
EL of 9. November 1996 governing farmer organizations. Technical provisions
Each GSMS is endowed with a management committee in The GSMS have undertaken to produce M3 seeds for
charge of resource mobilization as well as seed multiplication release. So every year, their management committees obtain
and marketing. M2 seeds from the two seed centers of the département
(Guéchémé, Beylandé) to supply their members. For the
Figure 2. Current operational diagram. purpose of sustainability, cooperative activities as well as
technical training were intensified over the 2002 and 2003
seasons. Backstopping was provided with a view to making
Seed
the groupings autonomous by the beginning of the third
Responsibility
multiplication season in 2004.
The operational diagram of the network is shown in
Figure 2.
M0 and The INRAN
M1 Seed Unit
Linkages with partners
The GSMS will become functional only if dynamic linkages
Seed Multiplication are maintained with partners on the ground. So, for a start,
M2 Center of Guéchémé
and Beylandé (DRDA) GSMS benefited from active assistance from supervisory
services in establishing partnerships with projects and
NGOs based in their mandate areas. The objective is to
M3 Special Seed obtain assistance in farming input supply and, above all, in
Multiplication
Groups (GSMS) organizing the marketing of produced seeds. Furthermore,
in order to be part of the national seed multiplication and
dissemination system, the GSMS gradually joined the

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WASNET News 12

Association of Private Seed Famers of Niger (APPSN) which Seed control and certification
now includes production in their seed information system For seed quality control and certification, a regional
and thus helps with marketing. certification committee has been established and is made
The GSMS maintain functional linkages with the research up of INRAN breeders, the regional seed officer, the group
institution in order to train their members and introduce new supervisor, and the members of the management committee
varieties through on-farm demonstrations and trials aimed at of each village. The committee takes stock of all the seed
the renewal of the germplasm. multiplication plots in the region (farmers’ fields and seed
centers) and inspect them in the course of joint missions
Funding of the operation organized during the growing season.
The launching of the GSMS in 2002 took place with
Seed dissemination and marketing
some difficulties, mainly financial, due to the fact that
the PARDER credit line was not operational. Two other The GSMSs’ management committee organize the packaging
alternatives were then considered. INRAN and PADER and marketing of members’ productions. Consequently, the
supplied M1 foundation seeds to the GSMSs. The latter following steps have been taken:
contributed the other production inputs (fertilizer, pesticide, • The construction on each land of a seed storage unit. To
storage). this effect, each GSMS approached the Project entitled
During the 2003 season, steps were taken to provide the "Construction Sans Bois" for the building of a 10-tonne
groups with access to the project credit line. capacity warehouse. The benefits of the GSMS are two-
pronged: they are built with affordable material and offer
Sustainable working capital ideal conditions for seed storage.
• Seed warrantage. The sustainability of this operation
In 2002, the working capital for the GSMSs was quite modest.
in famers’ field depends on the GSMSs’ ability to sell
It included the value of seeds entrusted to them and, in some
their production. For that purpose, each GSMS is
cases, mobilized inputs or support from other potential
developing a warrantage partnership with decentralized
partners. Such fund is sustainable as it is paid back with an
credit institutions in order to market their members’
interest agreed upon by members of the GSMSs.
production. Warrantage is done on the basis of the grain
Thus, an input supply contract is signed between the value of seed stock at harvest and of their real value
GSMS Management Committee and each seed grower during the marketing process.
who receives the inputs (foundation seeds, fertilizer, and
pesticides). Under such contract, seed growers are bound Illya Miko, Chercheur au CERRA de Kollo, Responsable de la Recherche-Développe-
to sell their productions through their GSMS in order to ment dans le Département de Dosso BP 429, Niamey, Niger Tél +227 96 1226
guarantee adequate recovery rate. E-mail : [email protected]

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 WASNET News 12

Seed and Planting Materials Successes

through Plant Breeding
IITA successes in plant breeding in African rural development
Rodomiro Ortiz

Low agricultural productivity and a high percentage of poor Cassava: the best kept-secret of Africa
and undernourished people both adults and children, are A recent book by Nweke et al. (2001) revealed for the first
common features of sub-Saharan Africa. Low infant weight time, that cassava could be transformed from a poor man's
appears predominant in West and Central Africa as well as the crop to an urban food, from being a subsistent crop to an
Great Lakes Region of Eastern Africa. industrial cash crop. Their book describes how long-term
The annual demand for food keeps growing (3.3%) and may research by IITA and African partners led to the development
not be matched by the growth in agricultural production. Not of improved, high-yielding Tropical Manihot Selection (TMS)
surprisingly, per capita calorie intake remains at low levels in cultivars that increased cassava yields by 40% without the use
sub-Saharan Africa, and below the developing world average. of fertilizer. About 206 releases of cassava cultivars from IITA
If current trends continue, there will be approximately 300 germplasm are recorded in 20 African nations. In the 1990s,
million malnourished people or 32% of the total population African programs incorporated IITA-bred materials in 80%
in 2010, which will convert sub-Saharan Africa (taking over of their cassava bred germplasm, this led to 50% gains in
from South Asia), to being the region with the highest number cassava yields on average. The improved cultivars raised per
of inhabitants who are chronically malnourished. capita output by 10% continent-wide, benefiting 14 million
rural people.
Agriculture still accounts for 33% of GDP and 40% of exports
for sub-Saharan Africa. It provides jobs to 65% of the labor The national research capacity available in Africa and
force (versus 15% in industry and 20% in services), and the backstopping from IITA provide a means to deal with new
forecasts from the African Development Bank suggest that threats affecting this crop in the continent. For example, the
about 60% of the economically active African population will total benefits from the cassava multiplication research-for-
still be employed in agriculture by 2010. In short, agriculture development partnership project between NARO (Uganda)
remains the dominant factor for economic development in and IITA to combat the cassava mosaic disease pandemic in
most of Africa, and more importantly, the rural poor depend six districts was approximately US$36 million over four years
on agriculture for their livelihoods. (1998–2001) for an initial investment of US$0.8 million.
Hence, research-for-development interventions aiming to Partnerships between National Agricultural Research Systems
ensure food, reduce poverty, and generate income must be and IITA are key for this and other successes in the genetic
high in any agenda in which science will be pursued for enhancement of cassava in Africa. In this regard, the first
assisting development in Africa. ever CGIAR Outstanding Partnership Award was given in
1996 to the Institute of Agricultural Research (Sierra Leone)
Impact of plant breeding in Africa and IITA for cassava improvement. Because of the successes
A recent survey by the International Food Policy Research in cassava research-for-development by IITA and partners,
Institute (IFPRI) reveals key successes emerging in African the Integrated Action Program for Cassava Starch Production
agriculture particularly breakthroughs in maize breeding and Export was launched by the President of the Republic
across Africa, sustained gains in cassava breeding and of Ghana for developing the cassava starch industry as a
successful combat of its disease and pests, control of the major vehicle for job creation and poverty reduction in
rinderpest livestock disease, booming horticultural and flower rural areas.
exports in East and Southern Africa and increased cotton
Similarly, the Government of Nigeria took positive steps to
production and exports in West Africa (Gabre-Madhin and
promote cassava production in the country, and inaugurated
Haggblade 2003).
in 2002 a cassava production committee of all stakeholders:
This paper presents some successes of plant breeding of the research directors, farmers and extension agents, food
four most important food crops in Africa: cassava, yam, maize, processors, and marketers to encourage cassava export.
and plantain/banana, as well as the most important legume While addressing the committee in Abuja recently, President
grown in Africa (cowpea) and the legume with the highest Obasanjo stated that cassava export could be capable of
growth in the last decades in this continent: soybean. generating an income of US$1.5 billion within two years.

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WASNET News 12

Breeding of yams In the mid-1990s East and Southern African farmers

IITA and national or local partners generated several new planted about 50% of maize area with bred hybrids that
cultivars of yams (Dioscorea rotundata and D. alata) with high showed yield gains of about 40% over local cultivars. From
and stable yield of tubers (50 to 100% superior to popular the 1970s onwards, IITA and research-for-development
local cultivars) as well as good storability and food quality partners recorded 267 releases of maize cultivars in 11 West
attributes through breeding and selection. High levels of host and Central African nations, 81 of which were released by
plant resistance bred into the cultivars against the two most the private sector, including hybrids. IITA and CIMMYT
important diseases of the crop, yam anthracnose disease and provided 49 and 11% of genetic materials, respectively, to the
yam mosaic virus, contribute significantly to the high level new cultivars, which were grown in about 37% of the total
and stability of field performance. With the aim of limiting maize area in this subregion. The mean on-farm yield gains
production cost, the improved yam cultivars were selected for with improved germplasm appears to be about 45%, which
good performance in the absence of external input of fertilizer explains why over nine million West and Central African
or staking (in the moist savanna zone) and emphasis was placed farmers grow improved open-pollinating cultivars on about
on tuber shapes that facilitate harvesting. Many of these new 20% of the total maize area, thereby boosting total subregional
cultivars were assessed at multiple sites in the yam producing maize output by 2.5 million t/year–1.
locations of West Africa for suitability to local farming and The African research-for-development partnerships setup
food systems in comparison with popular indigenous cultivars along the genetic enhancement of maize played a catalyzing
and with active participation of potential farmers. Three IITA- role in the process of providing improved seeds to farmers.
bred cultivars of D. rotundata (white yam) were formally For example, in response to the request made by the Nigerian
released by Nigeria in 2001. Several others are in the pipeline Federal Government, IITA with active participation of Nigerian
in the other major producing countries in the subregion. partners developed and released the first generation of inbred
Water yam (D. alata), a species introduced to Africa from lines and hybrids in 1983. The spillover effect of this release was
Asia, deserves special mention. It is generally superior to the formation of a small seed industry to market hybrid maize
the indigenous white yam (D. rotundata) in yield potential in Nigeria. In 1993, each of the three seed companies operating
(especially under low to average soil fertility), ease of propagation in Nigeria (Premier, UTC, and UAC) officially announced
(production of bulbils and reliability of sprouting), early vigor IITA open-pollinated and hybrid maize cultivars in their seed
for weed suppression, and storability of tubers. Indeed it has catalogs. Furthermore, IITA promoted community-based seed
superior characteristics for sustainable production. Its major production schemes in West and Central Africa with many
limitation in the field is the susceptibility of most cultivars to regional partners in order to make improved seeds available
anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides to farmers.
that exerts a devastating impact on productivity.
Cooking bananas and plantain hybrids
The tuber culinary quality of most cultivars of the species is
for African farmers and markets
inferior to that of white yam in the preparation of West African
dishes. New water yam cultivars with much improved food West African plantains in the lowlands and East African
quality, resistance to anthracnose and high tuber yield have highland bananas (for both cooking and beer) are examples
been developed and are under multisite testing with partners of African farmer ingenuity, tenacity, organizational, and
in Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. Already, one of the key parental inventive capacity in adapting this imported Musa crop
sources, earlier introduced from Puerto Rico, has gained very species from Asia to respective environments. Although
wide acceptance in West Africa. Introduction to farmers their asexual propagation may limit crop evolution, today,
through an NGO in Ebonyi State of Nigeria has led to a rapid both subregions are acknowledged as secondary centers
spread in that State and neighboring ones. of variation for plantains and bananas, because farmers
selected sports (mutants) arising in their fields, which today
Improving maize for, in, and from account for most of the caloric intake from fruit crops in the
sub-Saharan Africa African diet.
Maize production in sub-Saharan Africa today would be In 1987, African governments encouraged IITA to launch
25% less, if new cultivars were not grown by African farmers. an urgent research program to help combat black Sigatoka
Breeding for resistance to maize streak virus, the parasitic disease. This fungal leaf spot disease causes significant yield loss
weed Striga, insects, downy mildew, and other pests was in plantains, an important food and cash crop to more than
among the major targets of partnerships set up by IITA 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. An interim measure
in West and Central Africa, and Centro Internacional de adopted by IITA in the late 1980s was the introduction from
Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT) in Eastern and Asia of black Sigatoka-resistant cooking bananas, while the
Southern Africa. The CGIAR acknowledged the successes long-term strategy was to develop black sigatoka-resistant
on the genetic enhancement of African maize by giving the plantains. After their introduction to Nigeria, cooking banana
1986 King Baudouin Award to IITA for its work to overcome plantlets were produced in two tissue culture laboratories
maize streak virus, a major endemic disease affecting maize located at IITA High Rainfall Station (Onne, near Port
throughout Africa. Harcourt) and the Agricultural Development Program at

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 WASNET News 12

Owerri (Imo State). With the collaboration of 24 institutions, CGIAR. PITA 14 (or TMP × 7152-2) appears to be one of
vegetatively propagated planting materials (suckers) were the most promising IITA plantain hybrids because of its early
distributed to 29 585 farmers in 710 villages. fruiting, high bunch weight, and big fruits. While detailed
analysis of the acceptability of PITA 14 in southeastern
A recent impact assessment examined the adoption and
Nigeria is underway, it is noteworthy that several farmers have
diffusion of cooking banana in Nigeria. Cooking banana
established sucker multiplication plots and are selling suckers
gained a high level of acceptance and spread among the
to other farmers. Owing to this early success, IITA started in
people, and thus established itself within the farming system
2001, large-scale introduction (on-farm) of hybrids with black
in the region. The crop has been adopted by 55% of farmers,
sigatoka resistance to the farming community in 11 Nigerian
occupying about 26% of total fields, while its cultivation has
States of the plantain belt.
increased by more than 930% since the introduction, with a
multiplication rate of 600% across farmers. Bearing in mind
that cooking banana was neither a traditional crop nor an
Cowpea: the African legume for the
improved cultivar from an existing one, the level and rate of dry savannas
adoption and diffusion are quite high and encouraging. At In the last 40 years, Africa recorded significant improvement
the end of the 1990s, about 80% of farmers, who adopted in the production trend for cowpea owing to both increases
this new crop, were selling 10 to 90% of their total cooking in area and yield—the largest among legumes. At about US$
banana production, while the other 20% produced entirely 500/t, the increased production represents an annual value of
for household consumption. About 58% farmers sold at some US$650 million in Nigeria alone. In the early 1990s,
least 50% of their cooking banana. At the end of the 1990s, IITA, in collaboration with the International Livestock
the average selling price of cooking bananas was N6.5/kg Research Institute (ILRI), initiated a breeding program to
compared to N13.3/kg for plantains (about US$1 = N111). develop improved cowpea cultivars that provide both grain
for human consumption and fodder for livestock in the
However, the cooking bananas may have an increased overall dry season. Impact assessment shows that farmers obtain
value because of their significantly higher bunch weight than substantial benefits by adopting dry-season dual-purpose
plantains. The introduction of cooking bananas and their cowpea. These include food security during a critical period
subsequent adoption and diffusion made a positive impact of the year, cash income, fodder, and in situ grazing after
in the region: on farmers' farm enterprises, farm resource harvesting, in periods when the prices of cowpea grain peak,
use and allocation, income and food base of the people as and when good quality fodder is scarce. Dry season dual-
well as employment generation. Therefore, the potential of purpose cowpea is thus a profitable technology that will find
cooking banana in contributing to bridging the hunger gap, economic and ecological niches in the mixed crop/livestock
and uplifting the income level of farmers in the region is quite farming systems of the semiarid zones of Africa.
high. As such, it is no longer appropriate to regard cooking
banana as a stopgap measure, rather a suitable supplement (or
even substitute) to plantain for some farmers and consumers
Soybean: the potential for “a legume
in Nigeria. revolution’’ from Africa
Adoption of IITA high-yielding and pod-shattering resistant
IITA researchers were able in early 1990s to rapidly (about 5 soybean cultivars over the last decade increased average
years) develop improved plantain-banana hybrid germplasm farmers' yields in Nigeria from 310 kg/ha in 1991 to 730
using a range of conventional and innovative approaches: kg/ha in 2001, which led to nearly 3 times increase in
interspecific hybridization, ploidy manipulation, embryo production from 145 000 t to 429 000 t within the same
culture, rapid in vitro multiplication, field testing, and period, though soybean area grown increased by only 26%.
selection. This result is a noteworthy achievement, considering Children who consume soybeans are showing a significantly
that programs elsewhere required decades of breeding before better nutritional status than those that do not. Not
Musa hybrids became available. The potential impact of using surprisingly, several health centers and hospitals in Nigeria
black Sigatoka-resistant plantains shows a cost-benefit impact are using soybean products to treat malnourished children.
of 10 :1 over fungicides during periods of adequate production Government policy and farm-level technology influenced the
in rural southeastern Nigeria; while this advantage may success of soybean in Nigeria.
reduce to 5.5:1 during periods of scarcity in plantain
production which dramatically influences the prices This crop also contributed to the economic independence of
of plantain fruit. Owing to its pioneering research-for- women and generation of more income allowing acquisition
development on breeding hybrid plantains resistant to black of new household items and payment of medical bills and
sigatoka and for advances made in the genetics of Musa not school fees. Measuring Impact of Crop Improvement for, and
an easy task for a triploid species, IITA received the King in Marginal African Lands: a recent report by Brader (2002)
Baudouin Award in 1994. The successful professional career- shows that high adoption rates of early-maturing cultivars
solely in Africa, of the leader of this IITA team, the late Dirk does not translate into large yield gains because they are
R. Vuylsteke, was acknowledged by dedicating one of the targeting new land thought to be marginal for agriculture.
recent volumes of the annual series Plant Breeding Reviews, Hence, yield per se was not the main aim of breeding early-
perhaps the only one ever given so far to a plant breeder of the maturing cultivars in crops such as maize and cowpea but to

15
WASNET News 12

enable the crop to be grown in new areas perhaps by replacing made by the CGIAR and its Partners to Agricultural
other crops; e.g., maize displacing sorghum in dry lands. As Development in sub-Saharan Africa. Document No. SDR/TAC:
pointed out by Adesina et al. (1997), early-maturing maize IAR/01/13. CGIAR Secretariat ? The World Bank, Washington
cultivars allowed the crop to be grown in the semiarid tropics DC, USA.
of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Likewise, Ferris, R.S.B., R. Ortiz, U. Chukwu, Y.O. Akalumhe, S. Akele,
crop breeding for pests or abiotic stresses was a cornerstone in A. Ubi, and D. Vuylsteke. 1997. The introduction and market
stabilizing yields and reducing risks in pest-prone, low-input, potential of exotic black sigatoka resistant cooking banana
rainfed environments (where drought may often occur), rather cultivars in West Africa. Quarterly Journal of International
than resulting in potential yield gains by small landholders Agriculture 36:141–152.
who are not having an easy access to credits for inputs or to Inaizumi, H.B., B. Singh, P.C. Sanginga, V.M. Manyong,
output markets. A.A. Adesina, and S. Tarawali. 2000. Adoption and impact of
dry-season dual-purpose cowpea in the semiarid zone of Nigeria.
Outlook IITA Impact Study. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,
The impact of any crop improvement program can only Ibadan, Nigeria.
be judged over relatively long periods, covering cultivar Manyong, V.M., A.G.O. Dixon, K.O. Makinde, M. Bokanga,
development, release, distribution, and adoption. Through and J. Whyte. 2000a.The contribution of IITA-improved cassava
the introduction of more productive cultivars that are to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. IITA Impact Series. Inter-
resisting prevailing pests and the effective biological control national Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.
of the cassava mealybug and other pests, large-scale famine Manyong, V.M., J.G. Kling, K.O. Makinde, S.O. Ajala,
was avoided in sub-Saharan Africa. Without these research- and A. Menkir. 2000b. Impact of IITA-improved germplasm
for-development efforts, 25% less maize would have been on maize production in West and Central Africa. IITA Impact
produced in sub-Saharan Africa, equal to 8 million t/year, Series. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan,
or the food requirements of 40 million people. Cassava Nigeria.
production would be 50% or less, or over 13 million t/year Nweke, F.I., J.K. Lynam, and D.S.C. Spencer. 2002. The
of dry cassava, enough to meet the calorie requirements cassava transformation: Africa's best-kept secret. Michigan
of 65 million people. For both crops alone research-for- State University Press, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
development by IITA and African partners mean that over 100
Ortiz, R. 1998. Cowpeas from Nigeria: a silent food revolution.
million more people are fed; i.e., one out of six inhabitants of
Outlook on Agriculture 27(2): 125–128.
sub-Saharan Africa!
Ortiz, R. 2001. Dedication Dirk R. Vuylsteke: Musa scientist
References and further reading and humanitarian. Plant Breeding Reviews 21:1–25.
Adesina, A.A., O.N. Coulibaly, and V. Houndekon. 1997. Policy, Ortiz, R., P.D. Austin, and D.Vuylsteke. 1997. IITA High
devaluation, and profitability of maize production in West and Rainfall Station: 20 years of research for sustainable agriculture
Central Africa: comparative analysis of Cameroon, Benin, and in the West African humid forest. HortScience 32: 969–972.
Mali. Pages 53–92 in Strategy for Sustainable Maize Production in
West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Work- Ortiz, R. and D. Vuylsteke. 1998. 'PITA-14': a black sigatoka
shop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic 21–25 April 1997. Interna- resistant tetraploid plantain hybrid with virus tolerance.
tional Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. HortScience 33: 360–361.

Brader, L. 2002. A study about the causes for low adoption rates Sanginga, P.C., A.A. Adesina, V.M. Manyong, O. Otite, and K.E.
of agriculture research results in West and Central Africa: possible Dashiell. 1999. Social impact of soybean in Nigeria's southern
solutions leading to greater future impacts. In Progress Report of Guinea savanna. IITA Impact Series. International Institute of
Regional Approach to Research. Document No. SDR/iSC:IAR/ Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.
02/27. Interim Science Council Secretariat. Food and Agriculture Smith, J., A.D. Barau, A. Goldman, and J.H. Mareck. 1994.
Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Annex II. The role of technology in agricultural intensification:
Byerlee, D. 1994. Maize research in sub-Saharan Africa: An over- the evolution of maize production in the northern Guinea
view of past impacts and future prospects. Economics Working savanna of Nigeria. Economic Development and Cultural
Paper 94-03. CIMMYT, Mexico. Change 42:537–571.

Byerlee, D. and C. Eicher (editors). 1997. Africa's emerging maize Smith, J., J.B. Woodworth, and K.E. Dashiell. 1995. Government
revolution. Lynn Reinner, Boulder, Colorado, USA. policy and farm-level technologies: the expansion of soybean in
Nigeria. IITA Research 11:14–18.
Carr, S.J. 1997. A green revolution frustrated: lessons from the
Malawi experience. African Crop Science Journal 5:93–98. Rodomiro Ortiz Director Research-for-Development International Institute of Tropical
CGIAR/TAC (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Agriculture (IITA), Oyo Road PMB 5320 Ibadan, Nigeria Tel: (234 2) 241 2626
Research/Technical Advisory Committee). 2001. Contributions Fax: (234 2) 241 2221 E-mail: [email protected]

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 WASNET News 12

Harmonization of Seed Legislation

in sub-Saharan Afria
Minutes of the meeting
Justin Rakotoarisaona

and actors in the seed legislation and policy harmonization

process with a hope to coordinate the activities and to adopt
Date 29 March 2003
a common view and a more efficient way forward.
Venue Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi
Chairman Mr Arturo Martinez Adoption of the agenda
Apart from the welcome addresses and the general remarks,
Present
the agenda was mainly the presentation of the activities of
– Mr Guy Blaise Satsa AFSTA
each organization i.e., what each one has done and the future
– Mr Arturo Martinez AGPS FAO actions in terms of seed legislation and policy harmonization
– Mr François Burgaud GNIS process. Each presentation was followed by a question and
– Mr Wolfgang Bertenbreiter GTZ/WASNET answer session. This agenda was adopted for the meeting.
– Mr Edward Zulu SADC Seed Network
– Mr Patrice Annequin IFDC Afrique Presentation of each organization
– Mr Bernard Le Buanec ISF The following organizations presented their activities:
– Mr Mark Condon ASTA
– SADC Seed Security Network represented
– Mr Emmanuel Sackey ARIPO
by Mr Edward Zulu
– Mr Justin Rakotoarisaona AFSTA – WASDU/WASNET represented by
Mr Wolfgang Bertenbreiter
Apologies – IFDC represented by Mr Patrice Annequin
– Mr Baba Dioum CMA/OAC – GNIS represented by Mr François Burgaud
– Mr Marc Atouga UEMOA – ARIPO represented by Mr Emmanuel Sackey
– Mr Obongo Nyachae Secretary of Seed
After each presentation, questions and comments were
Working Group in EAC
entertained.
Absent
– Representative of ECOWAS SADC seed security network
Mr Edward Zulu gave the situation of the harmonization
Observers process in the SADC countries. He explained that the idea
– Mr Wynand van der Walt South Africa of harmonization in SADC is to ensure that the procedures
– Mrs Christiane Gorin UNIS & TECHNISEM on seed matters are similar and the goal is to provide freer
– Mr Amadou M. Djigo UNIS and expanded seed trade across the region and beyond. This
vision has not been attained and movement of seeds from one
country to another still faces undue constraints.

Introduction After pointing out the constraints, he gave the current status
of the achievement and the way forward.
The meeting started at 9.00am. After welcoming the
participants to the meeting and thanking them for their Mr Martinez asked how do we proceed to work with the
time, the President of AFSTA stated that AFSTA members are policy makers?
interested in the result of the harmonization process of seed
Mr Mark Condon stressed that the harmonization process
legislation since it represents the private sector, which is the
needs political will and commitment from policy makers in
main player in the field in seed trade. Then, he handed over
response to this question.
to Mr Arturo Martinez to chair the meeting. After his general
remarks, he asked Mr François Burgaud to explain the purpose Mr Zulu indicated that the compulsory involvement of the
of the meeting. He pointed out that the main purpose of the policy makers is one of the main reasons, which pushed to
meeting is to better know the actions all of the stakeholders work inside SADC member countries.

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WASNET News 12

WASDU/WASNET He also informed that GNIS runs small bilateral projects

Mr Wolfgang Bertenbreiter presented WASDU/WASNET with northern Africa countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
program in terms of seed legislation and policy harmonization and Egypt) dealing with regulations (mainly training on
process. He explained among others that there are 12 member DSU and certification and how to implement UPOV
countries of WASNET, outlined its objectives, and its current system). Study tours for the concerned persons are part of
activities. the training.

Mr Martinez wanted to have an explanation on how the He insisted on the fact that GNIS mainly cooperates with
network will work toward the harmonization. the seed sector through other organizations. It is the case for
example, with FAO on harmonization of the seed regulations
Mr Wolfgang Bertenbreiter explained that all the 12 countries in Africa. GNIS is doing this with the financial support of the
have access to a shared database and public and private discussion Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs of France.
helps the network move toward the harmonization.
In addition, Mr François Burgaud wanted to know WASNET’s ARIPO
links with the public sector and political people at national Mr Emmanuel Sackey explained the origin and objectives of
and regional level i.e., UMOA and ECOWAS. African Regional Intellectual Property Rights Organizations
Mr Wolfgang Bertenbreiter responded that WASDU/ (ARIPO), which currently has 15 member states. He stated
WASNET is mainly working on the relationship between the that ARIPO would like to be involved in the harmonization
private and public sector at national level and at regional level. of plant variety release (PVP) process and harmonization of
Of course, some links exist with the regional organizations IPR is a perfect example of harmonization at regional and
but not formally. continental levels. He therefore underlined the fact that the
mandate of ARIPO on plants is not clear. He also evoked the
IFDC necessity of creating a training center in IPR in Africa to raise
awareness at regional and continental levels so that there is
Mr Patrice Annequin presented the ATRIP (African Trade and
enough human resource to deal with IPR.
Investment Program) namely its objectives and its components
among others the harmonization of seed regulations and the Mr François Burgaud suggested that there should be a
market information system in the six ATRIP eligible countries direct link between ARIPO and OAPI for the shake of
(Burkina Faso, Mali, Bénin, Nigeria, and Ghana). The result coordination of the harmonization process and that ARIPO
of the study can be used to develop a model for the UEMOA would be more involved in implementation of PVP in
and ECOWAS countries. member countries.
He mentioned also the MIR project (Market Input Regionally)
whose vision is to attain a sustainable intensified agricultural General discussion
production at subregional level (UEMOA and ECOWAS). Mr Bernard Le Buanec thanked AFSTA for organizing the
He specifically laid the stress on the economic importance of meeting whose purpose is in line with AFSTA objectives. He
cotton and mentioned the cotton emergency program as part stated that harmonization is a difficult process and remains a
of the MIR project. problem even in Europe. ISF has a mandate of harmonization
at international level and the sovereignty of each country
Mr Burgaud asked some clarifications about ATRIP
makes it difficult among others. He suggested the following
project among others why the number of the countries
procedures for harmonization in Africa:
was six and the position of IFDC within UEMOA
and ECOWAS. He then pointed out that it was difficult – FAO should define the broad principle for
to set up a statistical database despite AFSTA’s effort to harmonization.
collect it. He therefore suggested that IFDC would give – Then, the trading blocks where movement of seeds is
human resource to collect the data through the MIR project free should be identified (map of Africa with general
by identifying people in the Ministry of Agriculture of block) to be the basis of the harmonization. The
UEMOA and ECOWAS. IFDC can afterward disseminate responsibilities for each organization and the rules
the information. for harmonization should be indicated within the
trading blocks.
GNIS – Afterwards, there should be a political meeting to
Mr François Burgaud stated that GNIS works with the CMA/ convince the regulatory authorities and regional
AOC on the harmonization process. He then explained the associations must be the counterparts of the policy
situation of the OAPI (African Intellectual Property Rights makers. He suggested the creation of regional seed
Organization), which currently has 16 member countries. groups to focus on the harmonization of the most
These countries ratified a new “Bangui” convention with important common market at AFSTA level.
breeders’ rights. One is identifying trial centers to conduct – Small harmonization projects within the trading
DSU test in Cameroon, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire to blocks should be carried out taking into consideration
implement the Bangui convention. the prevailing context.

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 WASNET News 12

Otherwise, it would be difficult to make progress in stated that seed is perceived as public goods (No change in
harmonizing seed regulations and policy in Africa. He further the political perception of seed) in Africa and it is necessary to
added that the national association in each country should modify this perception to support the private seed sector.
be active in the harmonization process and work out a way
Mr Arturo Martinez summarized the discussion and gave
forward. Moreover, he pointed out that contrary to the case
general explanations on various aspects of seed issues at
of chemicals and untreated seeds, the absence of regulations
international level.
for treated seed is a complete vacuum because 95% of traded
seeds are treated. He ended by explaining that the farm saved It was agreed that WASDU/WASNET, IFDC, and AFSTA
seed concept in the UPOV convention was probably better should take the lead for the meeting in West Africa.
adapted to Africa and countries in development in particular They should consult with one another and decide the
for subsistence farmers than for Europe and other industrial- appropriate time and location for the meeting and its practical
ized countries. aspects.
Mr Patrice Annequin said that he could give the map of The meeting ended with the general feeling that actions
trading blocks in Africa. He suggested that IFDC and AFSTA for harmonization of seed policy and regulations in Africa
should help fertilizer associations and seed associations in should be strengthened and coordinated through concerted
the subregion. He also proposed that a meeting should be action plan whenever appropriate at different levels of all
convened in West Africa for general coordination of the organizations implicated in the harmonization process. Each
harmonization process. participant will try to inform the others of its activities for
the following year.
Mr François Burgaud stated that it is necessary to have a
meeting in West Africa to discuss several important topics such Another meeting will be organized after the AFSTA congress
as among others the links between the regional organizations, 2004 in Tunis, Tunisia.
the lobbying capacity of national seed associations, etc.
The President of AFSTA thanked the participants and
Mr Mark Condon said that AFSTA is a development declared the meeting closed at 11:30 am.
organization that should promote the movement of seed and
Intellectual Property Rights. It should first work with the Justin Rakotoarisaona (secretary) Secretary General of the African Seed Trade
existing framework. He agreed that sovereignty is a big issue Association (AFTA) PO Box 2428 – 00202, Nairobi, Kenya. Fax: (+254 20)
for the implementation of the harmonization process. He also 272 7861. Tel: (+254 20) 272 7853 E-mail: [email protected]

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WASNET News 12

Formal Seed Systems in WASNET

Member Countries

Characteristics of the seed sector in Guinea

Nomory Yombouno

Introduction The National Seed Project (PNS) was developed from

In Guinea like 1987 to 1988 in accordance with the following objectives
everywhere else of the plan:
in the developing • Establish and equip three (3) seed production and
world, food security packaging centers to meet the demand of farmers in
is still a serious good quality seeds.
challenge facing • Enact a seed law.
every government, • Set up a national seed network.
particularly in sub- • Prepare a national catalogue for species and varieties.
Saharan Africa whose • Train agents and members of the Seed farmers’
population of over 580 grouping.
million is likely to double in • Create seed villages.
25 years’ time (World Bank 1997 • Promote seed marketing.
Atlas statistics). However, such population increase is not in line • Privatize seed production and packaging centers.
with the growth of the average GNP per capita/year (US$765 or
7% of average GNP of developed nations. US$300/inhabitant/ The National Seed Project was phased out in June 1995 by
year in Guinea (WFP 2001, work for food). decree 97/070/PRG/SGG of 5 May 1997 and replaced by
the “Division Semences, Plants et Fertilisants” (Seed, Plant
SSA heavily depends on agriculture that accounts for 30% of and Fertilizer Division) on 14 September 1999.
the GNP (according to the same source).
The following activities were planned for implementation by
Seed security is one of the most secure pathways towards the new division:
food security. Despite their socioeconomic importance,
– Maintenance and exploitation of PSN’s assets;
seeds are still poorly handled all along the seed production
– Support to seed production and packaging centers;
channel.
(through rural development projects, NGOs…)
The production of improved seeds is under the influence of – Update of decree 129/PRG/SGG of 15 June
the informal sector (farmer level), hence the weaknesses noted 1988 establishing the National Seed Committee
with respect to the supply of good quality seed to low-income (ongoing);
farmers in Guinea. – Creation of a National Seed Network;
– Establishment of a central laboratory for seed quality
Today, tremendous efforts should be made as a matter of
control and certification;
priority in the seed sector to meet the demand of seeds and
– Development of a national catalogue of species and
to pave the way for food self-sufficiency.
planting materials and support to planting material
farmers;
Characteristics of the seed sector – Drafting of the seed law (ongoing);
Seed sector development policy – Further training for the seed staff including field
partners (training of seed inspectors, controllers,
The objective of the country is to achieve food security in the
technicians and growers).
coming years so as to bridge the wide gap between agricultural
output and population growth. With a view to curbing the Upstream, the implementation process are the “Institut de
basic economic imbalances created by the crisis and helping Recherche Agronomique de Guinée” (IRAG), (Agricultural
the agricultural sector to regain its erstwhile vitality, the Research Institute of Guinea), in charge of the production of
government of the 2nd Republic opted for liberalization and, breeder and foundation seeds, and the Service National de la
as a result, came up with a plan of action the main thrusts of Promotion Rurale et de la Vulgarisation (SNPRV) (National
which were laid down in the National Recovery Plan 1985/ Department for Rural Enhancement and Extension)
1997 and in the Policy Statement on agricultural development responsible for the multiplication and dissemination of
I (1991) and II (1992) (LPDA I, LPDAII). improved seeds.

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 WASNET News 12

Component of the seed sector (public The DISIA is composed of three technical sections:
and private) – The mandate of the Seed and planting materials
Section (SSP) is to assist the head of the division in the
In the Republic of Guinea, seed production involves two
implementation of seed and planting materials related
sectors (formal and informal).
activities.
The formal or public sector falls under the government’s – The Fertilization Section (SF) supports the Division in
technical structures, namely the Ministry for Agriculture and the execution of tasks aimed at a better distribution and
Livestock (MAE). utilization of fertilizers.
– The Seed and Planting Material Regulation and Control
The technical departments are:
Section assists the Division in carrying out activities
• IRAG – Institut de Recherche Agronomique de Guinée pertaining to the control, certification and enforcement
• DNA – Direction Nationale de l’Agriculture (National of the regulation in force.
Directorate of Agriculture). – The Seed Packaging Center (CCS) acts as an
• DISIA – Division des Semences et Autres Intrants intermediary between IRAG and the SNPRV for the
Agricoles (Division of Seeds and other Agricultural multiplication of first and second generation (R1– R2)
Inputs). seeds.
• CCS – Centre de Conditionnement de Semences (Seed
packaging Center). Structure of the National Seed Service
• SNPRV – Service National de la Promotion Rurale et
de la Vulgarisation (National Department for Rural IRAG DNA
Enhancement and Extension). Agricultural Research National Directorate
Institute of Guinea of Agriculture
• Development Projects.
Informal or private sector: This sector is held by private enter-
prises, seed and planting material farmers, agricultural NGOs DISIA
etc., in conformity with the Policy Statement of Agricultural Seed and other
Agricultural Inputs
Development (LPDA). Division

Mandate and mission of the components

of the sector Control and
certification
Seed and planting
materials in charge of:
– IRAG’s mission carried out through its various stations Fertilization Division – planning Fertilization
Section Inspectors – promotion Section
established in the four natural regions of the country and Crontrollers – the centers
is to conduct research, develop new high yielding and
ecologically adapted varieties, produce breeder (G0, (CCS)
G1, G2) and foundation seeds (G3-G4); and develop Central Centre de Seed Center
Laboratory Conditionnement Laboratory
cropping pathways. de Semences
– The role of the National Directorate of Agriculture is
to implement the agricultural development policy and
define a strategy;
– The mission of the Seeds and other Agricultural Inputs SNPRV
Seed villages
Promotion and
Division, the technical branch of the DNA, is to: – R1, R2 Seed
Extension
growers
• assist the National Directorate in defining the
implementation components of the policy and
strategy governing seeds, planting materials and NGO
Seed Organization
fertilizers; Community seeds
• control and harmonize the activities carried
out by the various actors; Seed
Certification
• coordinate the work of seed packaging centers Department
and of projects falling under the Division;
• draft, update and disseminate legal and
regulatory instruments pertaining to seeds
Seed Marketing
and fertilizers; (public and private
• control enforcement of rules as well as channels)

observance of standards applied to seeds

and fertilizers;
Various
• develop collaboration with the network of subsistence
national and international bodies involved farmers

in seed and fertilizer related activities.

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WASNET News 12

– Reach 70% of use of improved seeds by the farmers;

Organogram within the Ministry of Agriculture
– Create an efficient seed market;
MAE – Ensure national coverage of seed production;
Ministry for
Agriculture and – Promote and guarantee pre-sprouting and good
Livestock
conservation of Irish potato;
– Encourage large scale production;
CNS – Revamp and ensure partial privatization of the
National Seed seed sector.
Committee
Main crops of the seed sector
All the crops are directly or indirectly covered by the seed
IRAG DNA sector. However, below are the crops currently handled by
National SNPRV
Institute of Agricultural the seed department:
Department of Directorate of National Rural
Research of Guinea Agriculture Extension
Enhancement Food crops: rice, maize, groundnut, cassava, Irish potato.
Cash crops: oil palm, banana, coffee, cotton etc.
Vegetable crops: tomato, egg plant, pepper etc.
DISIA
Seed and other
Agricultural Inputs The seeds and planting materials of crops such as mango,
Division
avocado, cashew and pineapple are developed by the private
sector without any proper control.

Control and
Major constraints to the development of
Seed and
Certification Planting
Fertilization
Division
the seed sector (besides financial constraints)
Section Materials
Division The revival of seed production is more than ever necessary.
However, to achieve usable results, a number of constraints
should be addressed, namely:
CCS
Seed Packaging
Center
Institutional
– The National Seed Committee established by decree
129/PRG/SGG of 15 June 1988 is not yet operational.
– Poor understanding of the distribution of roles between
the state and the private sector due to the absence of
Private Improved
and NGO seed growers appropriate legislation;
– Lack of harmony and coordination among partners
of the seed sector (conflict of attributions, incoherent
interventions).
Subsistence Technical and agricultural
farmers
– Ignorance of varieties of all the species concerned
by seed production;
– Non mastery of cropping itineraries by the majority
– The National Department for Rural Enhancement and
of farmers;
Extension (SNPRV) promotes the dissemination and
– Lack of professionalism in the seed sector;
extension of improved varieties and cropping patterns
– Lack of state-owned lands near seed centers;
among the farmers and users.
– Lack of seed conservation techniques and means.
– The Pineapple Sucker in vitro Multiplication Center
(CMRA) as a project supplies improved varieties to Economic
pineapple farmers’ groups. It is based at Dubréka.
– Absence of seed pricing policy;
The private sector handles the production and marketing of – Low purchasing power of farmers;
planting materials. – Difficult access to credit by small-holder farmers
(annual interest rate as high as 30%);
Objectives – Poor development of production zones;
– Increase yields through the use of improved seeds; – Isolation of some production zones;
– Spread the utilization of good quality seeds; – Absence of national coverage.
– Diversify the seed sector (into the production of other
seeds other than rice, maize and groundnut; Commercial
– Ensure better quality control and certification; – Lack of marketing and processing structures;
– Promote and supervise seed villages; – Lack of communication means;

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 WASNET News 12

– Uncontrolled seed markets; Donor

– Unfair competition by partners on the seed market; Japanes-Human.
– Lack of means for data processing.
Pineapple sucker in vitro multiplication
Potentials or assets of the seed sector
center
Despite the prevailing situation, the seed sector can count on
the following benefits: Objectives
– Existence of three seed centers with a storage capacity – Establish a pineapple nursery to boost production
of 800–1000 mt/year); (up to 2500 tonnes of pineapple);
– Smooth partnership between the centers and the NGOs; – Assist and train pineapple growers’ groups;
– Creation of seed villages (60 villages) as well as seed – Create a marketing channel for exportation.
grower groups (3500 seed growers);
– Favorable and diversified soil and climatic conditions; Ongoing activities
– Good performance of some improved and local varieties; – Completion of an in vitro pineapple nursery
– A staff of 100 people is now committed to the to contain 150 000 plants on 3 ha;
management of the seed sector. – Cultivation of 17 ha.
Ongoing projects in the seed sector
Donor
Project on the multiplication and dissemination of new Afri-
Gerant Meffre, French scientist and agricultural promoter.
can rice varieties developed by WARDA (community seed
production).
Seed aspects in which Guinea has comparative
Objectives advantages
– Improve the availability of low-cost and good quality – Foundation seed production;
seed to the benefit of the village communities; – Production of farmer seeds (by farmers’ groups);
– Reinforce the capacity of seed farmers and technicians – Constitution of farmers’ groups and identification
in seed production and dissemination. of lead farmers (production, conservation,
marketing).
Ongoing activities
– Identification of lead farmers and groups in the relevant zones; Nomory Yombouno Chef Division Intérimaire des Semences Plants et
– Distribution of inputs; Fertilisants Direction Nationale de l’Agriculture Ministère de l’Agriculture
– Establishment of contracts with beneficiaries. et de l’Elevage BP 576 Conakry Tel + 224 41 42 60 Email [email protected]

Characteristics of the seed sector in the Republic of Mali

Siaka Coulibaly

Introduction Mali has a population of 10 million with up to 80% living in

The Republic of Mali is the rural areas and 35% under 20 years of age. The population
a hinterland country grows at a rate of 2.5%.
bordered East by Niger
The potential agricultural land spreads over 11 500 000
and Burkina Faso;
hectares but only an average of 2 000 000–2 500 000 hectares
West by Senegal;
or 21.73% are effectively under cultivation. Agricultural
South by Guinea
production in Mali is widely diversified and include food
and Côte d’Ivoire;
crops, cash crops, as well as fruits and vegetables. The land
North by Algeria
areas cropped with cereals are in the range of 1 590 000 ha for
and Mauritania.
millet, sorghum and maize; 200 000 ha for rice; 100 000 ha
It is located between
for cotton; 70 000 ha for groundnut.
longitude 4° 10° East
and 12° West Latitude 10° to 25° North. Agriculture is the backbone of the Malian economy. It
Mali covers an area of 1 241 298 km2, 40% of is the predominant activity in rural areas alongside
which lie within the 200–1200 mm rainfall area. The extensive animal husbandry. Almost 75% of export earnings
agricultural activities are concentrated in the center, in the is derived from agriculture which accounts for 45% of
south and in the valleys of the Niger and Senegal rivers and the GDP and is the main source of income for 80% of
their affluents. the population.

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WASNET News 12

The primary sector’s contribution to the GDP is estimated The DGRC’s mandate is to regulate production and seed
at 10 879 billion FCFA, or 45%: food crops (29%); introduction activities. As a result, the DGRC is to:
industrial crops (8%); livestock (5%); fisheries (2%); – Field test seeds;
forestry (1%). – Analyse seed samples in the laboratory for
the purpose of certification;
Characteristics of the national seed sector – Draft and see to the enforcement of laws and
regulations governing the import and export
Seed sector development policy of seeds of all species.
The national seed policy in Mali is structured around the
national seed plan adopted by the Government in 1991 to chart Structures of SSN
the way for the production and dissemination of good quality The SSN is placed under the DNAMR. Based in Segou, the
seed. The plan defines the role of the various actors of the seed fourth economic region of Mali, it comprises 2 technical
sector, namely the role to be played by the State through its divisions, an administrative office, and a web of 6 stations
technical structures and the role of farmers as seed growers. distributed across the various ecological zones to handle
operational multiplication.
Components of the seed sector
The mandates of the various divisions of the SSN are:
Public components Production and seed promotion support division
– IER: Institut d’Economie Rurale through the – Draft R1 seed production schemes and programs;
Agricultural Research Division; – Provide technical support to the various
– DNAMR: Direction Nationale de l’Appui au actors of the seed sector;
Monde Rural (National Directorate for Support – Train all the actors of the seed sector;
to Rural Areas); – Promote seeds;
– SSN: Service Semencier National (National Seed – Organize seed growers’ groups with a view
Service); to establishing cooperative structures.
– DGRC: Direction Générale du Contrôle et de la
Réglementation (General Control and Regulation Program monitoring and evaluation division
Directorate).
As a management orientation body, its duty is to:
– Ensure compliance with technical and
Private components
financial standards during the implementation process;
– Private farms – Provide useful hints in the pricing of different
– Seed farmers’ groupings categories of seeds;
– Evaluate the various programs and activities
Mandate and mission of each component of
carried out by the SSN;
the sector
– Evaluate seed utilization rates;
Through the Agricultural Research Division, the IER is tasked – Set up a statistical data bank.
with:
– Varietal development;
Seed Sector Support Project
– Introduction of new varieties;
– Adaptation trials of breeder and foundation seeds; Organizational chart of the National Seed Service (SSN)
– Drafting of technical documents (Identification
and fact sheets) Ministry
of Rural
Development
The DNAMR
The SSN is under the DNAMR. It is responsible for:
– The coordination of the activities carried out by the National Rural
various actors of the Malian seed sector; General Control Directorate for Economy
and Regulation Support to Rural Institute (IER)
– The planning of the production of different categories Directorate Areas
of seeds;
– Advise to farmers as part of the implementation
National Seed Service
of R1 and R2 seed production schemes; Director–Project
– The training of all the actors of the seed sector; Coordinator

– Seed dissemination.
The extension structures also falling under the DNAMR Monitoring and Seed Production Financial and
are responsible for agricultural extension as well as direct Evaluation and Promotion Administrative
Division Division Office
monitoring of the production of R2 seeds. They provide
technical backstopping to the seed growers’ groups.

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 WASNET News 12

Administrative and financial office With respect to seeds in particular, production and marketing
It is tasked mainly with the material and financial management activities will be handed over to experienced private farmers’
of the SSN, including: groups. The need for privatization was expressed by the
National Seed Service almost a decade ago when half of the
– The drafting and execution of budgets allocated production process was entrusted to the farmers. Such move
to activity programs; was later on concluded with the farmers taking over the
– Acquisition and management of movable and control of marketing channels. Technical departments were
immovable property; then tasked with the planning and coordination of the various
– Proper book-keeping. production programs as well as with backstopping advice in
The stations the seed sector.
The six stations are in charge of: A private farm managed by the GIE and well experienced in
– Supervision and implementation of R1 the production and marketing of irrigated seed rice has already
seed production programs; been put in place in the Office du Niger mandate area.
– Technical backstopping to seed growers
and their organization into GIE and/or Major crops in the seed sector
cooperatives.
– Management of the infrastructures. Food crops
The overall objective of the formal seed sector is to work
General orientations and/or objectives towards food self-sufficiency through the use of high yielding
of the seed sector seeds, hence the importance granted to food crops. Over the
The National Seed Sector falls within the scope of the policy last three seasons, production activities were focused on:
implemented by the government in relation to its progressive Rice 15–18 varieties Sorghum 4 varieties
withdrawal from the main development functions. As far
as rural development is concerned, this equally means the Maize 8–10 varieties Cowpea 4–6 varieties
transfer of a number of skills to the farmers. Millet 4–6 varieties Groundnut 4–6 varieties

Organizational chart of SSN

Nationao Directorate
for Support to Rural
Areas (DNAMR)

Organizational chart in relation to the MDRE

Ministry of Rural Development
National Directorate for Support to Rural Areas SSN Director
National Seed Service (SSN)
Segou
Executive
Secretariat

Monitoring and Seed Production Administrative

Evaluation and Promotion and Financial
Division Support Division Office

Monitoring and Seed Production Training and Rural Staff and Litigation Accounts
Standards
Evaluation Section and Promotion Area Organization Department Department
Control Section
Programs Section Section

Stations

Babougou Dalabani M’Pessoba Molodo Mopti Samanko

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WASNET News 12

Industrial crops Objective of the Seed Sector Support Project in

The needs which exist in terms of industrial crop seeds are Mali (PAFISEM)
solely handled by companies such as CMDT for cotton, and The goal of this project running over a period of five years is
SUKALA for sugarcane. to achieve a sustainable seed sector through privatization. Its
overall objective is to reduce poverty by contributing to food
Major constraints to the devopment of self-sufficiency and security.
the seed sector The objective of PAFISEM is to add some value to the
The constraints include: achievements of research in plant breeding by promoting the
– Difficulties in the planning and programming of use of improved seeds. Thanks to PAFISEM, seed production
production due to delays recorded in the identification activities will be extended to market garden crops, wheat and
of users’ needs. fruit trees.
– Inadequate promotion of the utilization of improved
seeds (particularly of dry crops such as maize, millet Results expected by PAFISEM:
and sorghum). – Transfer of production and marketing activities
– Absence of a structure at IER to adequately supply to farmers’ groups or private actors;
farmers in foundation seeds. – Privatization of branch offices (State farms);
– Climatic hazards which unceasingly threaten dry seed – Organization of foundation seed production;
productions. – Production and marketing of about 7150 tonnes
– Lack of farmers’ organizations and weak farmers’ of dry crop R1 seeds, and 5700 tonnes of seed rice
groupings in the prevailing economic situations. to cover respectively, 30%, 85%, and 25% of needs
in dry crops, irrigated rice and controlled
Seed sector potentials or assets submergence rice.
The seed sector has been endowed with a national seed plan – Production of 100 000 tonnes of R2 seeds by
that defines the role of all the actors of the seed policy. Such a farmers settled in well organized structures
tool should, in the long run, help the sector achieve its overall with a BNDA line of credit.
and specific objectives. – Constitution of a renewable dry crop security
The seed sector can also build on the assets of the APCAM seed stock of 500 tonnes.
(The Standing Assembly of Agricultural Chambers) and use its – Rehabilitation of the central seed laboratory and
branch offices in organizing the farmers into « TON » or other establishment of four control and certification
GIE. This is a welcome opportunity for farmers’ organizations regional laboratories.
to take over seed production and marketing activities. – Training of all the actors of the sector in
professional skills.
The National Seed Service has facilities and equipment that
the private sector can make use of. Besides, it has trained a Ongoing activities
large number of farmers in seed technology. Ongoing activities at PAFISEM relate to the preparation of
Private seed producers have been emerging in isolation or as invitations to tender.
organized groups (Economic Interest Group) alongside SSN
PAFISEM Donors
collaborative farmers.
Total cost of PAFISEM 6.55 million UC, that is,
Since the restructuring of the Ministry for Rural Dvelopment, 6 005 774 000 FCFA.
Mali now has a regulation and control division (DGRC)
which, as a decentralized entity, will assist in raising the quality • The Bank Group.
of national productions and regulate seed trade. • ADF 5.67 million UC or 5 195 556 000 FCFA.
• Other sources of funding.
Ongoing project in the seed sector • Government 0.77 million UC or 709 807 000 FCFA.
Since 1994, the seed sector has not benefited from any • Beneficiaries 0.11 million UC, or 100 411 000 FCFA.
external funding and, as a result, has had to live on limited
government resources. The different funds received by the Areas in which Mali has comparative
sector (from 1978 to 1984 from ADB, and 1986 to 1994 advantage
from UNDP/FAO) did not make it possible to achieve a The Republic of Mali has experience in seed technology in
sustainable seed sector. Conscious of the importance of seeds relation to the following species: millet, maize, sorghum,
in attaining food security and self-sufficiency, the Government cowpea, groundnut, and rice.
applied for a loan from ADB (ADF) in view of a viable
and sustainable national seed sector. All the conditionalities Siaka Coulibaly Chef Division Appui à la Production et à la Promotion des
having been fulfilled, the first tranche of the loan should be Semences Service Semencier National BP 167 Segou, Mali
disbursed shortly. Tel +223 2 320 330 Fax +223 2 322 2259

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 WASNET News 12

Other Seed Related Information

International Seed Network Initiative Food and Agriculture Organization, Seed and
Since seed is produced in and subject to open environments, Plant Genetic Resources Service
no commercial seed is 100 percent genetically pure, whether The FAO’s Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service
traditional or biotech seed. With the existence of genetically manages programs for seed policies, seed improvement, seed
enhanced crops, it is currently impossible to guarantee that production, seed security and germplasm exchange.
traditional seed will not contain a minute level of adventitious
(unintended) biotech material. Moreover, seed is destroyed in International Plant Protection Convention, FAO
the testing process for genetic purity, therefore, only a small Plant Protection Service
percentage of a seed lot can be tested. Hence, zero tolerance of This convention maintains and increases international
adventitious biotech material, which may only be verified by cooperation in controlling pests and diseases of plants and
testing 100 percent of a seed lot, cannot be guaranteed, plant products as well as prevents their introduction and
spread across national boundaries.
In the light of this, a global standard of tolerance for the
adventitious (unintentional) presence of biotech material in International Society for Seed Science
traditional seed is needed to prevent potential disruptions in The ISSS is a membership organization that strives to advance
domestic and international seed distribution. Recognizing education and research for the public benefit in the scientific
this need, the International Seed Trade Federation (FIS) study of seeds.
created the International Seed Network Initiative (ISNI) in
June 1999 to establish a globally accepted tolerance level for International Seed Trade Federation (FIS)
the adventitious presence of biotech material in traditional The FIS is a non-profit group of national associations and
seed. The initiative also seeks to establish standardized individual seed companies. With members from about 70
biotech testing protocols and an enhanced quality assurance developed and developing countries of all continents, it represents
system in seed production to minimize adventitious presence. the mainstream of world seed trade and serves as an international
Proposed quality assurance procedures provide for positive forum where general seed industry issues are discussed.
identification, traceability, and control of seed through each
step of the production process. The ISNI's proposed tolerance International Seed Testing Association
level is one percent for adventitious biotech presence in maize, The primary purpose of the ISTA is to develop, adopt and
cotton, soybeans, and canola. Such a threshold would help the publish standard procedures for sampling and testing seeds and to
seed industry continue to maintain the highest level of genetic promote uniform application of these procedures for evaluation
seed purity possible in this age of the gene revolution. of seeds moving in international trade. ISTA’s secondary purposes
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development include actively promoting research in all areas of seed science and
Seed Schemes, Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, technology and encouraging variety certification.
Association of Official Seed Analysts and International
Seed Testing Association have sanctioned the ISNI on an International Union for the Protection of New
experimental, voluntary basis with interested countries. Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
UPOV is an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva,
Seed Links International Organizations Switzerland. Its objective is the protection of new varieties of
plants by an intellectual property rights.
Canadian Seed Trade Association
Through the collective efforts of its membership, the CSTA fosters North American Plant Protection Organization
an environment conducive to researching, developing, distributing, NAPPO, a Regional Plant Protection Organization of the
and trading seed and associated technologies; with the goal of International Plant Protection Convention, coordinates the
bettering the choices and successes of its members’ customers. efforts among Canada, the United States and Mexico to protect
their plant resources from the entry, establishment and spread of
Convention on Biological Diversity, United regulated plant pests, while facilitating intra/interregional trade.
Nations Environment Program
The Convention on Biological Diversity is a pact among the Organization of Economic Cooperation and
vast majority of the world's governments designed to maintain Development Seed Schemes
the world's ecological underpinnings in the face of economic The OECD groups 30 member countries in an organization
development. It establishes three main goals: the conservation that provides governments a setting in which to discuss,
of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, develop and perfect economic and social policy. The OECD
and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use Schemes for the Varietal Certification of Seed Moving in
of genetic resources. International Trade addresses global seed trade issues.

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WASNET News 12

Courses, Meetings, Publications

Meetings/seminars/ Information: International Agricultural Centre (IAC),
PO Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
congresses/courses Tel: +31 317 495 495; Fax: +31 317 495 395; E-mail:
International Course on: Agro [email protected]; Website: www.iac.wageningen-ur.nl.
biodiversity, Biotechnology;
Plant Breeding and Seed Sector 11–13 February 2004: 2nd General Assembly of WASNET-
SAVANA Hotel, Dakar, Senegal. Info: [email protected]
Development.
Duration 10 weeks, April–July 2004, 24–25 February 2004: 4th Annual Native Seed Quality
International Agricultural Centre (IAC), Conference- hosted by Mid-West Services, Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. For more information [email protected]
Wageningen University, Wageningen,
The Netherlands. The overall objective is to 24–26 March 2004: 5th Congress of the Africa Seed Trade
provide professional participants with the knowledge and Association (AFSTA), Tunis, Tunisia. Info: Fax: (+254 20)
skills to identify, plan, and implement plant breeding and seed 272 7861 - Tel: (+254 20) 272 7853; Website: www.afsta.org
programs. 29 April–4 May 2004: Seed Ecology 2004: An International
The course program is built around a number of modules Meeting on Seeds and the Environment
like: (a) Seed policy, legislation and programmes, (b)
Rhodes Island, Greece. Info: http://www.biology.uoa.gr/
Management of Seed enterprises, (c) Master class on Seed SeedEcology2004.htm
technology, (d) Seed certification, (f ) Seed Agronomy and
Seed physiology etc. Fellowships are available for nationals 13–24 May 2004: 27th Congress of the International Seed
of developing countries from the Netherlands Fellowship Testing Association (ISTA), Budapest, Hungary. Info:
Programme (NFP). [email protected]

NFP now offers scholarships for single courses/short training 22–26 May 2004: Congress of the International Seed
periods. Applicants for a NFP fellowship should submit their Federation (ISF). Inter Continental Hotel, Berlin, Germany.
application to the Netherlands Diplomatic Representative Info: [email protected]/[email protected]
(Embassy/Consulate) in their home country. Application 26 September–1 October 2004: 4th International Crop
deadline is 2003 October 1. Information sheets on individual Science Congress Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Info: +61
courses are available on the home page below. (7) 3858 5554 Fax +61 (7) 3858 5583 [email protected]

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The Coordinator
West Africa Seed and Planting Material E-mail:
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PO Box 9698, KIA, Accra, Ghana;
Tel/Fax: +233-21 765567;
E-mail: [email protected] Telephone:

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