West Africa Seed Program (WASP)
Summary of Achievements from Regional Activities/Missions undertaken[1]
WASP Result Area: 3Supply of Quality Breeder Seed Increased
Date/Period / Country / Activity/Mission / Achievements/Outcomes / Any expected change by six/12 months9th – 11th October, 2013
11 – 12 November, / Senegal / Meeting with Syngenta Foundation /
- Partnership with technical and financial partner- Syngenta Foundation, improved,
- Leverage of funding for strengthening capacity for the implementation of the ECOWAS Seed Regulation, (DUS/VCU Tests and Variety Releases, cataloguing and IPR) increased,
- Draft action plan to implement activities developed.
18th – 22nd November, 2013 / Senegal / WASP M&E Training and Program Review Workshop
1st to 3rd December, 2013 / Senegal / CORAF/WECARD /
- Knowledge of the CORAF/WECARD Seed Program well understood and appreciated by members of the Governing Board, comprising the ECOWAS Commission, Financial and Technical Partners, Farmer Organizations, NARIS, STC, etc.
- The image of the Seed Program enhanced
13th to 14th December, 2013 / Burkina Faso / WASP Consortium Meeting /
- Knowledge of Consortium members on program achievement in the first year of implementation increased,
- The 2014 WASP Workplan adopted with inputs from the Consortium partners to improve it.
- Draftaction plan from the scoping study for the establishment of ASIWA improved
- Draft action plan for the establishment of the WASC/COASem improved
- Consortium arrangements improved and a mechanism for leveraging extra funds proposed
- The enthusiasm and commitment expressed by members provide strong indications for strong collaboration to implement the seed program in ensuring the achievement of program objective,
20th February- 3rd March, 2014 / Abuja, Nigeria / Participation in the Regional Training on Implementation of the ECOWAS Seed Regulation /
- Regional and international resource persons mobilized for the strengthening of capacities in the regional seed system;
- The mechanism for the implementation of the ECOWAS regulation improved among seed value chain stakeholders;
- Capacity of seed value chain stakeholders strengthened to implement the ECOWAS procedure for variety registration, release and cataloguing ;
- Capacity for maintenance breeding and breeder seed production in the region created strengthened.
- The concept of IPR, licensing and contracting among seed value chain stakeholders well understood for adoption
2nd – 6th April, 2014 / Benin / ASIWA Action plan Validation workshop
22nd – 26th April, 2014 / Ibadan, Nigeria / Represent CORAF/WECARD Seed Program at the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project annual planning meeting in IITA. / 1)The visibility of theCORAF / WECARD seed program improved for effective collaboration and partnership with DTMA countries
2)The understanding of the ECOWAS regulation particularly the need to commence trails using the approve DUC/VCU guidelines and its relevance in the development of national and regional catalogue has been enhanced
3)Participants accepted the need to develop variety licensing policy and promote exchange of BS using contracts as a means of tracking quality and proper documentation.
4)It was agreed that DTMA countries should consider the adoption of the revolving fund model been used by the WASP with NARIs in BS production to ensure sustainability after the end of the project
5)Agreement reached on the deployment and signing of MoU between IITA and the NARs of DTMA countries for BS produced last year under the WASP funding.
6)Quantities of BS of maize to be produced for each countries in 2014 season determined (346kg Senegal, 312kg Niger, 588kg Nigeria, 346kg Benin, 415kg Ghana, 346kg Mali and 346kg Burkina) / Use of proposed template for exchange of BS between IITA and partners.
Deployment of seed produced in 2013 to target countries
Establishment of BS production fields as discussed
18th – 23rd May, 2014 / Abuja, Nigeria / Review of progress made in 2013 regarding BS production by IAR&T, NCRI and IITA. / NCRI BS Production
-NCRI has produced a total quantity of 16 mt of rice including 4mt FAR0 44, 11mt FARO 52, 0.5mt FARO 61 and 0.5mt FARO 62.
-The total quantities of seed produced have been processed and were confirmed to be presently in the NCRI store.
-The above implies that an excess quantity of FARO 52 (5mt), and less quantity of FARO 44, 61 and 62 were produced contrary to the agreement in our contract with NCRI.
-SEEDAN Nigeria has already signified intention and paid for all quantity of BS of the other three varieties mentioned above except FARO 52.
AfricaRice BS Production
-Nigeria (SEEDAN) has indented and paid for the 2.750 mt rice BS including 1mt NERICA 8, 1.5 mt NERICA L19 and 50kg each of SAKEL 134, 108 Orylux 6 MERICA 4 and NERICA L34
-The import permit for the seeds have been paid for and secured thus the country is waiting for the arrival of the seeds from Cotonou (AfricaRice)
IITA Maize BS Production
-SEEDAN has signified interest in picking about 576kg BS of various varieties produced by IITA
-UNILORIN is the only institution in Nigeria that has so far taking delivery of the maize BS from IITA
-IITA has agreed to fund the transportation of BS produced in the year 2013 for Ghana pending the arrival of funds from the regional office as planting has already commenced for this season in Ghana
IAR&T Maize BS Production
-A total of 3mt BS of Maize of five varieties were produced by IAR&T in 2013 for the WASP. The processed seeds were seen in the store of IAR&T.
-SEEDAN has signified to pick 1.5mt of three out of the five varieties remaining a balance of 1.5mt of two newly released varieties that are not so popular with SEEDAN
Mr Olusoji is to reach out to all those who had earlier requested for the BS to notify them of the availability of the seed for uptake using necessary guidelines to be provided by the Seed Specialist. / -Deployment of all produced seeds to private users
-Establishment of contractual agreement for BS production between the public and private sector
-Record on areas put to seed production as a result of WASP intervention
25th – 27th May, 2014 / Mali / Review of Progress in Mali regarding targets under the result Area 3 of WASP / LoA with IER
-Decision reached to finalize LoA with IER using proposals already received from rice, maize and millet breeders.
-The LoA is to be signed at the country level and fund request made to the regional office by the National coordination office. It was also agreed that the budget and additional information to be attached as annex to the LoA should be reviewed in a format shared with the Seed Specialist during this review.
-Efforts are to be made to produce more rice and consideration is to be giving to producing more quantity of the G4 category.
-The completed LoA is to be immediately forwarded to Dakar for final approval once the go ahead is giving by the USAID AOR.
Seed Processing Equipment transfer.
-At a meeting with the National Coordinator, it was agreed that an assessment of the equipment procured during the WASA project and yet to be installed be made to ascertain the details of the machine including the following; model, capacity and manufacturer.
-Efforts are to be made both at Mali ( with the store keeper) and at the regional office to locate the dossier of this machine.
-A visit is also to be made to IER to solicit for appropriate space for the installation of the machine as well as the identification of an individual who will be trained to manage the processing plant.
-On installation, this machine will be made available for use of both IER and Private seed producers on custom basis.
Pending Capacity building training in Mali
-The National Seed Specialist was enjoined to consider as priority the conduct of the trainings and come up with plan to do them as soon as possible.
-The two could be organized back to back at a date to be determined by the Country.
BS Supply to FASOKABA
-Confirm through a mail the status of FASOKABA’S request if any BS has been received from IITA or AfricaRice.
LoA with ICRISAT.
-Need to send the seed data collection sheet from Dakar to ICRISAT to request information on the LoA with ICRISAT. The mail to convey this request should be sent immediately and the support of ICRISAT to be sought to cooperate with the National Seed Specialist who is to do the follow up.
-On the issue of private sector contribution to the cost of BS produced, it was agreed in a meeting with the National coordinator of WAAPP for Mali that the request by FASOKABA to pay only 20% was too small and need to be reviewed. The conclusion was that for the first year the private sector in Mali must be encouraged to pay 30% as contribution for the BS picked by the sector in Mali.
It was also discussed that a WASP Local revenue account should be created in Mali for the payment of funds received from the sale of the BS. / -Finalization of LoA for seed production in Mali.
-Mali to contribute to the indicator target for 2014
-Confirmation of receipt of seed by the private sector in Mali from the CGIARs as well as utilization of the seeds
-A huge increase in area put to improve seed use in Mali
8th – 11th June, 2014 / Abuja,Nigeria / Strengthening National Capacity in Seed Production Planning and raise awareness to enhance implementation of ECOWAS regulation, IPR and Variety licensing/contracting issues. /
- Capacity of participants strengthened in the estimation of seed demand and supply through training in the use of the easy to use planning tool for determination of national seed needs;
- Estimate of the annual national requirement of seeds determined for 2014 to 2019;
- A roadmap for the production of BS, FS and Certified seed for major crops over the next five years developed with key roles assigned to respective actors;
- There was an increased understanding of the mechanism for the implementation of the ECOWAS seed regulation among national stakeholders;
- Constraints in the seed value chain seed determined and solution proffered.
- Participants agreed to commence implementation of the ECOWAS regulations particularly as its affect the conduct of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS)/ value for cultivation and use (VCU) testing. The meeting requested the responsible institutions for variety release and DUS/VCU testing to immediately take actions by the issuance of a notification that all future application for variety release must include separate data on DUS and VCU.
- The meeting further agreed to promote the use of contract for all seed production particularly between the public NARIs and the private seed companies using the model been championed by the WASP.
- At the end of the training, participants particularly from the universities commended the WASP for increasing their knowledge on new developments in the seed industry and informed that all what is learnt will be used in the training of students in their various institutions
-Conduct of inspection of IITA’s seed field by the Certification Agency in Nigeria
11th – 14th June, 2014 / Benin / Strengthen the capacity of NARS seed unit staffs involved in the production and management of breeder seed. / The training offered participants the opportunity to learn key concepts and processes of seed technology, breeder seed production, seed testing/quality control, processing, storage, The course program blended theoretical lectures with practical experience sharing amongst participants. 86% of the participants acknowledge the relevance of the training in improving their skills to better perform their duties. They commended the WASP for organizing the training and call for more of such trainings. The workshop developed and adopted for Benin a roadmap for the planning / programming and organization of seed production for the period 2014-2017.
A call was made for the WASP Benin to develop for the purpose of quality control a visual reference poster of the main pests, the different control methods and the list of pesticides approved.
Participants’ knowledge in seed production planning was enhanced and soft copy of the model seed planning tool giving to them for their individual and institutional use. / -Finalization of LoA for seed production in Benin
-Benin to contribute to the indicator target for 2014
-Confirmation of receipt of Maize seed by INRAB breeder from IITA.
-Better efficiency of actors in BS production
20th September – 5th October, 2014 / Nigeria / Support mission to participate in the inspection of Breeder Seed field of IITA by the National Seed Certification Agency / A total of 13.5 hectares of Breeder seed fields was successfully inspected during this visit.
Protocol for Breeder seed production were strictly been followed as proper isolation of seed fields and adequate rouging of off- types were been practiced in visited fields.
Agreement for the release of copies of seed field inspection report to the WASP to back up data quality claim on area put to BS production in Nigeria was reached with the NASC.
Modalities for continuation of field visit required for certification of the fields were discussed and out in place.
Nearly all the seed fields are at the flowering stage and will in the next few weeks be ready for harvesting. / -Production of another 2800 kg BS for delivery before the next six month
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20th – 24th October, 2014 / Niger / Support mission to participate in the inspection of Breeder Seed field by partners in Niger / A total of 13.5 hectares of Breeder seed fields was successfully inspected during this visit.
Protocol for Breeder seed production were strictly been followed as proper isolation of seed fields and adequate rouging of off- types were been practiced in visited fields.
Agreement for the release of copies of seed field inspection report to the WASP to back up data quality claim on area put to BS production in Nigeria was reached with the NASC.
Modalities for continuation of field visit required for certification of the fields were discussed and out in place.
Nearly all the seed fields are at the flowering stage and will in the next few weeks be ready for harvesting. / -Immediate correction of all faults noticed on the BS fields
-Delivery of anticipated quantity of BS
-BS support of WASP reaching additional group of beneficairies in Niger
-Improved quality standards in BS production
[1]This is expected to provide a snapshot on achievements/outcomes from missions undertaken at regional level