Enabling Niger farmers to turn seed producers

An intensive training workshop for aspiring seed producers in Niger equipped them with necessary knowhow and techniques to scientifically produce groundnut, cowpea, pearl millet and sorghum seeds in Zinder region. A formal partnership with a seed company was also inked for multiplication and production of seeds of above crops, which is expected to result in production of over 52 tons of certified seeds by the end of the 2020 cropping season. The seed company will provide foundation seed to selected farmers and also buy the certified seeds from them post production. In return, seed producers will apply good standards of seed production as per the terms of the contract. This is expected to create sustainable farmer-managed seed enterprises, and identify tools and marketing/communication approaches to improve the uptake of new varieties by smallholder farmers.