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Cape Town, South Africa
February 26, 2009
Source:
ICRISAT West and Central Africa
 After
a busy year spent developing its network of offices and support
staff as well as launching its activities, the West Africa Seed
Alliance (WASA) is publishing its first official newsletter and
launching its brand identity in conjunction with the
African Seed Trade Association
2009 Congress in Cape Town from March 2-6.
WASA's underlying mission is to stimulate the development of
market driven distribution chains in West Africa so that
improved seed, inputs and technical support can reach those who
most need it – subsistence farmers whose already low yields
continue to decline because of the lack of quality seed of
improved crop varieties.
Over the last year, WASA has achieved measurable impact and has
documented a series of success stories – initially in Ghana,
Mali and Nigeria. Activities include agro dealer training,
facilitation of crop demonstration plots and farmer field days
to introduce improved varieties
of maize, sorghum, millet, rice, groundnuts, cowpeas, soybeans
and several vegetable crops, post-harvest loss prevention and
mapping of agro dealer locations. By stimulating expansion of
the private seed sector, WASA will facilitate sustainable
increases in agricultural production.
WASA's intention is to build a solid reputation for trust and
reliability. And amongst policy makers to be seen as a
sustainable engine for increased food security and economic
development. Available data suggest that increases in
agricultural output have a direct impact on job creation.
In order to accomplish its mission, WASA is advocating to update
laws to support the development of public-private partnerships
in seed, and that give the private-sector freedom to operate. An
important aspect of this work is seed trade harmonization to
facilitate the free flow of improved seed between countries.
Building on the experience gained over the last year, and on the
measurable impact of WASA's comprehensive strategy, the partners
are in the process of launching ESASA – the Eastern and Southern
Africa Seed Alliance.
WASA is presently supported by the
United Sates Agency for
International Development through the Seeds Project being
implemented by the
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT) in partnership with CNFA
and the Seed Science
Center at Iowa State University (SSC-ISU).
Other news
from the
West Africa Seed Alliance (WASA) |
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