News

As part of the CAADP-XP4 project, CORAF has launched the Seed Business program in response to the challenges facing agriculture in West Africa. Focused on improving access to quality seeds, the program aims to strengthen entrepreneurial skills in seed production, with particular attention paid to women and young people.

Launch of the Seed Business program

The Seed Business program, initiated as part of the European Union-funded CAADP-XP4 project, addresses the crucial imperative of improving access to quality seeds in West Africa. To foster an inclusive expansion of quality seeds, CORAF organized a regional training session in Abidjan in April 2022, bringing together women leaders and young people. This initiative led to the establishment of a regional network of women entrepreneurs specialized in plant seeds.

Structured around intensive training courses, the Seed Business program has built the capacity of women and young people in seed production, multiplication, processing, marketing and management.

Seed Business program results

The Seed Business program involved five countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal) and their national agricultural research systems, as well as five national networks of women seed producers. In all, 191 participants benefited from the program, including 86 young people and 118 women, representing 45% and 62% respectively of young people, 53% of whom were girls and 47% boys.

Tracy James, Manager at Techni Seeds Ltd in Nigeria, also stresses the importance of professional networks and the knowledge acquired during training. These testimonials reflect the effectiveness of the Seed Business program in building the capacity of players in the seed industry.

A few recommendations

To ensure the program's sustainability, it is recommended that more practical training courses be organized, that production processes be digitized, and that gender concerns continue to be integrated into all future initiatives. Essentially, capacity building in the production and management of seed enterprises is an essential lever for promoting access to quality seeds and thus contributing to food and nutritional security in West Africa.