The goal of the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) West African Seed Program (WASP) since its 2012 inception has been to boost West Africa's agricultural sector by increasing the supply of quality certified seeds to the region.
Historically, West Africa's seed-production system has been insufficient to satisfy the region's needs. WASP was launched in partnership with the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) in an effort to boost the production of quality seeds.
In 2012, the region's quality seed production was 12 percent. By 2017, WASP officials hope to increase that to 25 percent. To achieve this, WASP officials are connecting public and private sectors connected with seed production, as well as increasing communication between regional seed networks and national seed associations. Program coordinators have developed networks of plant breeders, as well as quality-control and certification personnel.
The program also assists West African farmers by getting them access to higher-quality seeds, which will be more resistant to insects and drought, which should increase yields. WASP has established the Alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa (ASIWA) to this end.
For the 2012-17 period, USAID has pledged $9 million for the program, which benefits the West African nations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. The program also assists with seed policy and regulations in Mauritania, Chad, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.
More Stories
- President Barrow Commends AUF Initiative
- African Development Bank’s Dr. Adesina Appoints Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as Special Envoy for Middle East and North Africa and Gulf Region
- Kenyan Farmers Get Fertilizer Boost with $2 million Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism Credit Guarantee
- ECREEE Launches a User-Friendly Website to Promote Sustainable Energy Initiatives in West Africa
- President Boakai Suspends The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)
- African Union and Ecowas Address Terrorism, Coups, and Extremism in Joint Consultation Meeting
- African Development Bank Executive Director and Sudanese Envoy Discuss Crucial Support Amid Ongoing Conflict
- President Barrow Welcomes Diplomats from Around the World
- President Boakai Nominates Additional Officials To Government
- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association St Helena Branch To Host 53rd British Islands And Mediterranean Region Conference