ICRISAT has developed early maturing and drought tolerant groundnut varieties to counter constraints that are severely hampering current yields. Other research organisations have developed improved maize varieties for the same purpose. Maize is one of West Africa’s main staple food crops, while groundnut, which is rich in protein, oil and micronutrients such as iron and zinc, is essential for the health of rural communities and contributes to soil fertility, by fixing nitrogen.
However, climate change is badly affecting yields of both crops in the region, with recent declines caused by drought estimated at 15 percent in the case of maize and 38 percent in the case of groundnut. Recurrent droughts have resulted in local seed stocks being exhausted, because seed is being used as food.
“One of the options to help farmers adapt to uncertainties in weather is to improve their access to new improved, drought tolerant germplasm for major crops – maize and groundnut varieties,” said Olu Ajayi, Senior Programme Coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Development Policy at CTA. “The seed fairs aim to strengthen and stimulate linkages and information sharing among farmers, rural development change agents, researchers and private sector seed companies and agro-dealers on drought tolerant seeds that can help farmers to better adapt to climate change.”
Despite the existence of improved seeds, many farmers lack access to them due to insufficient information, high prices and an ineffective seed production and distribution system. Challenges exist in both the public and private sectors. Lack of awareness due to inadequate extension services, coupled with poor agro input dealer networks, combine to prevent communities in remote areas from accessing certified seeds of the valuable improved crop varieties which could help them increase their yields.
Low profitability means that seed companies have little incentive to ensure sufficient quantities of improved seed to farmers when they need it. A common problem among producers who succeed in acquiring drought tolerant maize and groundnut seed is crop failure caused by late planting, as a result of delays in acquiring the seed. Early maturing varieties that could overcome these difficulties are not widely distributed due to inadequate knowledge and poor linkages between actors in the seed value chain.
The seed fairs, which are being organised back-to-back in two rural locations, where maize and groundnut are widely grown, aim to create awareness of improved seed sources and varieties, as well as a forum for knowledge exchange on seed production systems among researchers, farmers and seed experts. The first seed fair will be staged in Sikasso from June 20 to 21. The second will be held in Kayes from June 24 to 25. Presentations by experts are expected to contribute to increased production and distribution of high quality maize and groundnut seed, while small packages of seed will be distributed to farmers, in an effort to introduce them to the benefits, so they can judge the results for themselves.
