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Two years after its launch in September 2020, the Fertilizer and Seed Recommendations Map for West Africa (FeSeRWAM) has undergone a major overhaul and update, to better meet users' needs. 

The new version, FeSeRWAM 2.0, was launched at a virtual event on August 25, 2022, attended by almost 200 participants.

The result of a collaboration between CORAF and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), FeSeRWAM is a decision-support tool designed to address the challenge of low use of quality agricultural inputs, and to help improve agricultural productivity in West Africa and Chad. 

CORAF and IFDC have collaborated on the Partnership for Agricultural Research, Education and Development in West Africa(PAIRED) project and the Feed the Future Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems(EnGRAIS) project, which they respectively implement.

"FeSeRWAM is a platform that provides a combination of technical information on seeds, fertilizer varieties and good agricultural practices, primarily for agricultural technology extension agents and agro-dealers, who are in daily contact with end-users," explains Dr. Youl SANSAN, Deputy Coordinator of the Feed the Future Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) project for West Africa.

In fact, FeSeRWAM provides users with Agricultural Input Packages (AIPs), which combine information on improved seed varieties, appropriate fertilizer recommendations and good agricultural practices, all according to the agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in West Africa. 

In a constantly evolving and changing environment, the two organizations decided it was time to update the platform, so that it continues to play its role as an effective decision-making tool. 

"Research is very dynamic in the sub-region. Every year, new seed varieties are developed, and fertilizer recommendations evolve and change with the context," says Dr Hipollyte AFFOGNON, PAIRED Project Coordinator at CORAF. 

"In order for the FeSeRWAM platform to continue to be useful and relevant for users, it was necessary to update it, so that it would be more user-friendly, and above all offer users updated AIPs that respond to the current challenges facing agriculture in the sub-region," he adds.

FeSeRWAM 2.0 is the culmination of a process that began in 2021 and involved over 350 strategic stakeholders from various national and regional organizations.

It comes with a host of changes and new features, making it easier to use and a powerful tool that will ultimately help farmers boost their productivity and income.

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• IFDC and CORAF launch updated online tool to promote the use of innovative technologies by West African farmers to increase agricultural productivity and profits

FeSeRWAM 2.0 currently has one thousand and thirty-four (1,034) AIPs, covering eight hundred and six (806) varieties of twenty-seven (27) crops. 

Sixteen (16) countries are currently covered by the platform. 

Platform durability

The FeSeRWAM 2.0 virtual kick-off meeting also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the platform's sustainability strategy, with a view to ensuring its long-term viability. 

"FeSeRWAM was developed as part of the PAIRED and Feed the Future EnGrais projects, which expire in December 2022 and February 2023 respectively. It is therefore important not to make it a static representation of what PAIRED and EnGrais were at the end of the projects, but rather a valuable and relevant resource on seed and fertilizer recommendations for players in the agricultural sector", emphasizes Dr Caroline MAKAMTO-SOBGUI, Agricultural Technology and Innovation Scaling Specialist at CORAF.

According to the expert, the key to sustainability is for stakeholders to take ownership of the tool, and to demonstrate a firm commitment and determination to maintain it.

"Ownership of the FeSeRWAM tool by stakeholders is a sine qua non for its sustainability. Indeed, this will lead stakeholders to continue investing the necessary resources in the tool, to keep it up to date and to continue using it", declared Dr MAKAMTO-SOBGUI. 

She adds that the sustainability of the platform also requires a continuous, active and coordinated effort and involvement by all, including CORAF and IFDC, and other key players in agriculture in the region.