Seed Multiplication Plan, N2 Africa - Liberia

Introduction

In order to enhance a demand driven agricultural research and technology dissemination process, this seed multiplication plan encourages shared learning between International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) scientists and Farmer Groups (FGs) as well as partners like the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), the University of Liberia (UL), Agro Dealers (ADs) and the Private Seed Companies (PSCs). It takes into consideration the general principles of the N2 Africa Project including N2 Africa policy on seed. The plan seeks to establish a permanent mechanism for varietal promotion, multiplication and dissemination through on farm research involving farmers’ participation. The multiplication process will lead to an increase in the stock and availability of field tested, farmer-validated technologies thereby enhancing uptake and increasing adoption (demand) of modern varieties.

Strategy for seed multiplication – Three main issues to be addressed

1. The promotion [G1] of new varieties especially appropriate improved materials

• On farm testing of new materials
• Demonstration plots of promising varieties
• Promotion of new varieties to seed companies through publicity campaigns
• Seed bulking and sale in small seed packs to farmers

2.  Improved seed management practices

• Adaptive testing and demonstration of improved storage techniques for seed/grain
• Proper post harvest handling and processing
• Pest and disease control methods during storage

3.  Increased availability of seed of improved varieties

• Encouraging linkages between IITA, CARI, private seed companies and contract growers for seed multiplication and dissemination
• Promoting and strengthening local grain markets
• Training in improved crop management and production technologies
• Soil fertility enhancement

Stage I: The promotion of new varieties especially appropriate improved materials

Addressing farmers’ demand

In response to the nature of farmers’ demand for new varieties , this seed multiplication plan will seek to promote new varieties as a way of creating demand for them. For instance, there is a difference between a project’s desire to promote a new variety and a response to a genuine demand from farmers who wish to use a variety. Fieldwork with extension agents unearthed many instances in Liberia where farmers were not aware of the existence of new varieties, or had heard of them but did not know their characteristics. In some cases farmers had experience with a new variety but had decided it was not appropriate for their conditions. Given these reasons, plans to provide seeds of a new variety without taking into consideration support for providing farmers with the opportunity to see and test these new varieties may be premature. Promotion of new varieties is a necessary condition for developing genuine demand and IITA will dispense her efforts in this line. Promotion will be achieved through participatory testing of technologies, publicity campaigns, on farm trials/demonstrations, sale of small seed packs at demonstration sites, agricultural shows, grain markets, etc. The strategy here is to make sure that farmers have access to small amounts of the variety (about 1kg) that they can test under their own conditions, where they can develop their own experience about the variety’s performance and adapt the technology to their circumstances. IITA will multiply seed of promising materials for use in wide spread on farm trials. These materials will be promoted in a way that farmers can observe varietal characteristics and make their own assessments. On farm triails will be undertaken by IITA agronomists/technicians working in collaboration with farmers, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) and the University of Liberia. In order to achieve genuine farmer demand (adoption), the collaboration will ascertain that:

• The variety has been demonstrated and planted widely enough so that farmers know about it and are able to identify it or distinguish it from other varieties
• Farmers understand its principal advantages and disadvantages
• Farmers are actively seeking seed of the variety

Stage II:  Improved seed management practices

Addressing inadequate storage problems, pests and diseases

Seed supply of a particular variety is sometimes affected by poor on farm management of seed. Our fieldwork identified instances where farmers are unable to maintain seed stocks because of the lack of knowledge of adequate management technologies. A lot of seed is lost because of inadequate on-farm storage. To address the issue, IITA will conduct training in local seed or grain storage methods, maintaining varietal purity in the field using adequate seed selection methods, proper post harvest handling and processing, pest and disease control methods, etc.

Stage III: Increased availability of seed of modern varieties (Seed Multiplication and Dissemination)

Addressing Seed Shortage

At this stage, promising varieties are known and are in demand (adopted) but not physically available or sufficient for planting within reasonable proximity to farmers, seed companies, NGOs, CBOs, etc.

Conditions that restrict access to seed in most cases limit farmers’ choice of varieties or may at times force a farmer to abandon plans to grow the crop. Seed shortage limits a farmers’ capacity to plant as much of a variety as they wish. In Liberia because of low productivity, households are unable to save seed or generate income to buy seed. Other reasons for seed shortage in the country are for the fact that the formal seed sector does not supply seed of a particular variety.

To address the issue, IITA will seek to strengthen the commercial seed sector  informing seed companies about the availability and advantages of modern varieties through demonstrations/publicity campaigns targeted to these seed companies.

IITA will also work with seed companies to develop local farmers as contract growers for the seed companies. Contract seed growing is a genuine means of increasing income for smallholder farmers at the same time increasing the volume of seed produced.

IITA will work with private seed companies to strengthen the local seed/grain market. Local markets are often utilized as sources of seed or planting material therefore strengthening them will be a giant step in mobilizing a critical mass of farmers who can supply fairly large quantities to interest private seed companies.

Seed supply in most cases is restricted because of inadequate crop production practices. IITA will work with Farmer Groups, NGOs, CARI and the Private Seed Companies to improve knowledge in crop management/production technologies through training workshops, farmers’ field schools, demonstrations, etc. The strategy is to boost yield through agronomic best practices.