Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat

By the completion of the first phase, TL II activities had directly trained and supported a total of
1089 community seed producers and linked to private seed companies. Of this total, 534 were from
Nigeria, 114 from Niger, 189 from Mali, 121 from Mozambique, and 101 from Tanzania. The TL II
project has demonstrated that community production of improved varieties can be successful, but its
continued sustainability depends on development of successful seed associations, with links to the
formal seed sector. Foundation Seed production figures showed that about 30.55 MT of Foundation
Seed of different cowpea varieties was produced in Nigeria, 15.02 MT in Niger, 22.868 MT in Mali,
8.4 MT in Tanzania, and 21.15 MT in Mozambique. To create demand, for the adoption and use of
improved seed of cowpea in all the project countries, the project facilitated the production of Certified
Seed by community-based seed producers. This activity resulted in cumulative production of over 493
MT of cowpea of Quality Assured/Certified Seed with most of the fields certified by the country seed
certification agency in all the target countries over the 3 years period. Of these quantities, 231 MT of
Certified Seeds of different cowpea varieties was produced in Nigeria, 103.4 MT in Niger, 35.03 MT
in Mali, 107.3 MT in Mozambique, and 2.3 MT in Tanzania. To popularize improved varieties through
on-farm demonstrations, 796 lead farmers appointed by their groups were supported in Nigeria. The
number of farmers that benefited in Niger, Mali and Mozambique was 339, 265 and 1775, respectively.
In Nigeria, the average grain yield across locations of improved varieties was 1458 kg per ha compared
to the local variety that was 863 kg per ha, representing about 69% yield increase over the local variety.
Improved market linkages have encouraged seed producers to improve and increase seed production to
supply a growing market. Market development for cowpea resulted in increased production and sales
of cowpeas, making significant contributions to improving livelihood and poverty reduction. Over 188
MT of seed was sold by seed producers, in Nigeria, 31.5 MT in Mali, and 93.7 MT sold in Niger, within
the first phase of the project. This market is now established paying good prices, a situation likely to be
sustained.
Awareness creation was conducted through field days, demonstrations and mid-season farmer evaluation
of improved varieties. An estimated 800,000 farmers, agro-dealers, extension staff, and policy makers
have been exposed to TL II improved technologies. Over 12,000 farmers have been reached with small
pack seed dissemination over the last 3 years to further popularize the improved cowpea varieties.
The project, having recognized the significance of capacity building of its partners to achieve its
objectives, organized and facilitated capacity development activities for its partners, as well as ,
improving the infrastructure for carrying out effective research and development for NARS
Capacities of the stakeholders have been strengthened through training and subsequent applications;
participation in national and international scientific conferences and meetings; research opportunities for
higher degrees based on TL II activities; as well as improved access to information and new knowledge.
Strengthening of community-based organizations, in particular the farmer groups and associations,
through the use of Participatory Research and Extension Approach (PREA) and technical training in
many aspects of agricultural production played a key role in sustaining project activities. Training and
support for quality Certified and Foundation Seed production, reinforced with post harvest processing,
storage, distribution and marketing ensured that quality seed of the new varieties was made available
to other farmers. Extension materials, in particular cowpea production guides, prepared in English and
French were distributed to farmers and other stakeholders.
Baseline studies
In Phase 1, baseline studies were carried out to inform the seed delivery component of the project
for better targeting of impact, as well as provide a baseline against which project impacts would
be measured. The survey focused on understanding the current situation of cowpea production and
productivity, the constraints that hinder increased productivity, and the socio-cultural and economic
environments that facilitate or constrain adoption of new technologies. The baseline analysis identified
Progress of Phase 1
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