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Launch of the West and Central African Network of Women Seed Entrepreneurs (ROCAFES)

CORAF has launched an ongoing capacity-building process to empower women in the seed sector, in response to the challenges encountered. Regional and national training courses have been organized to build the capacity of women seed entrepreneurs in seed production systems and seed business management. Women seed sector leaders in West and Central Africa felt it necessary to set up a regional network to improve regional trade in quality seeds and increase women's contribution to the development of the seed industry. Thus was born the Réseau Ouest et Centre Africain des Femmes Entrepreneures Semencières (ROCAFES), whose general meeting was held in Bamako from April 23 to 24, 2024.

The purpose of the General Assembly was to adopt the network's statutes and regulations, set up its governing bodies and elect its members, thereby officially formalizing the network. The Réseau Ouest et Centre Africaine des Femmes Entrepreneures Semencières (ROCAFES) is made up of the founding member countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

The opening ceremony of the General Assembly was presided over by Mr. Youba BA, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries of Burkina-Faso, acting Minister of Agriculture, alongside Mrs. Aichatou NASSER, President of the ah doc committee of the network of women seed entrepreneurs of West and Central Africa, and Mrs. Ndèye Aïssatou DIOP, representing CORAF and the representatives of the various countries. 

Minister Youba BA, for his part, welcomed the initiative and invited all players to redouble their efforts to ensure that women can play their full role in the development of the seed sector. " While reaffirming our readiness, and that of the government as a whole, to support the dynamic that has been set in motion and to ensure that the network achieves its objectives, I am convinced that the spirit of collaboration that has enabled the network to see the light of day will continue to prevail in the implementation of concrete actions for the well-being of all the players involved," declared Minister BA at the opening of the Constitutive General Assembly of the West and Central African Network of Women Seed Entrepreneurs (ROCAFES). 

" The network, which was initiated following a training course on women's leadership in the seed sector organized by CORAF in April 2022 in Abidjan, has as its primary aim the promotion and professionalization of women entrepreneurs, individual agricultural producers, groups and organizations of women producers, in order to raise the level of production and distribution of improved seeds in West and Central Africa. The essential aim of this network is to contribute effectively to achieving the objective of food sovereignty in this part of the world ", emphasized Mrs. Aichatou NASSER, President of the Ad hoc Committee of the West and Central African Network of Women Seed Entrepreneurs. 

Ms. Ndèye Aïssatou DIOP, representing CORAF at the General Assembly, declared: " Playing its role as a leader in the regional seed sector, CORAF places particular emphasis on positioning and strengthening the private sector in the seed industry, especially the private women's seed sector, with a view to stimulating the transformation of innovation in agricultural systems and better meeting the demand for certified quality seeds. This General Assembly is the fruit and culmination of a long process of capacity building, both human and institutional, for seed companies in West and Central Africa, initiated by CORAF in order to contribute to increasing agricultural production and productivity, as well as promoting market competitiveness ". 

In West and Central Africa, where over 80% of the population is involved in agriculture, the use of quality seeds is crucial to good yields, contributing up to around 40% of agricultural productivity. The seed industry is therefore attracting keen interest from producers, institutions and governments alike. Women, whose main responsibility is often to feed their families, play an essential role in the seed production chain, although they rarely have the opportunity to be leaders. 

Thus, giving women this leadership opportunity could revolutionize the implementation of seed technologies and value chains in the region. By strengthening their role and leadership, ROCAFES will help promote sustainable agriculture and guarantee food security in the region. CORAF is committed to supporting and accompanying the network in the implementation of its activities and the achievement of its objectives.