[REGIONAL SEED AND PLANTING MATERIAL NETWORK][WASNET GOVERNANCE][CONTACTS OF WASNET MEMBERSHIP INSTITUTIONS][WASDU]

SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY: A BIG CHALLENGE FOR WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

The entire region of West Africa faces a growing population (growth rate > 3% annually) with an associated increased demand for food and animal feed. Countries in the region have many similarities in terms of climate and crop production systems and thus in crops, varieties, seed and planting material needs.

There is little potential for expansion of productive agricultural lands. It is, therefore, critical to the entire region to increase productivity and improve use efficiency of arable land. Without this, rural income cannot be raised, and food supplies for the growing population cannot be maintained. Production figures published by FAO show a steady increase in the output of most crops from the mid-1980s onwards after the release of improved varieties by IARCs through NARS. Due to structural adjustment programs in agricultural sector, governments in West Africa are under pressure to withdraw from seed production activities and the private sector is expected to produce and market seed and planting material of improved varieties .

The Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) has provided funds to support the implementation of the project “ Promotion of Seed Production and Marketing in West Africa ’ . Through the second phase of this project (1998-2001) the West Africa Seed and Planting Material Network (WASNET) was initiated with the aim of facilitating improved seed and planting material supply to small-scale farmers in West Africa.