WEST AFRICA SEED PROGRAM (WASP)

an ECOWAS Program funded by USAID,implemented by CORAF/WECARD and hosted

by WAAPP

WASP

GOAL

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

OBJECTIVES

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

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

WASP Coverage

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

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

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

To Achieve its Objectives, WASP will

Build an alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa

Support implementation of ECOWAS Seed Legislation and regulatory framework

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

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

Strengthen the agri – business capacity of the private sector

WASP using Alliance Method b/C

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

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

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

Regionally, WASP Has -

Partners such as CGIAR Centers like IITA & ICRISAT, AfricaRice, NARIs, WAAPP, EU, FAO, EMBRAPA, WB, ROPPA, AFDB, Universities, National Farmers’ Organization, NASC, International Seed Companies, NSTAs

Stakeholders such as AFSTA, AGRA,

ICRISAT, USAID/WA, CILSS, HUB - RURAL

Nationally, WASP works with:

NARIs

Agric Ext

National seed service

Nat. Seed Committees

Nat Var Rel Committee

Breeder seed production Variety trials Variety maintenance Training

Promotion of new varieties Fostering linkages

between farmers & seed entrepreneurs

Coordination activities

Governance issues

Release of new varieties Cataloguing of new

varieties

Nationally, WASP works with (2)-

National Seed Quality Control &Certification Agencies

Plant Protection Regulatory Serv.

Universities

National Seed Trade Associations

Implementation of Seed Policy

Regulatory Activities

Plant Health regulatory Activities

Training Development of new

varieties

Production & Marketing of Seeds

WASP 2013 WORK PLAN

Staffing & equipping regional and national offices

Regularizing Institutional arrangement with Partners

Forming alliance to bring stakeholders together in ASIWA, for mobilizing & pooling resources together, & pursuing delivery of quality seeds to farmers

WASP 2013 work plan (2)

Strengthening capacity of NARIs & private sector research organizations for Breeder seed production

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

Strengthening of NSTAs to deliver quality foundation and certified seed

Expected Results

Establishment of an inclusive West Africa consortium

Implementation of regional seed regulations at National Levels

Good Quality seeds produced and used Enhancement of private sector

participation in seed industry Agri – business capacities of NSTAs

strengthened

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!