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Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat

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Strategies to enhance seed production <strong>and</strong> delivery schemes<br />

To search for strategies to enhance seed production <strong>and</strong> delivery schemes, data on costs <strong>of</strong> seed<br />

production <strong>and</strong> delivery by all institutions involved in the seed chain were gathered. Basically, two<br />

schemes were pursued: the public seed multiplication <strong>and</strong> delivery scheme (NARS <strong>and</strong> traditional<br />

extension services) <strong>and</strong> CBOs (community-based organizations) including farmers’ associations <strong>and</strong><br />

small-scale seed producers.<br />

Results showed that seed production through the public sector institutions is very high. As illustrated<br />

in Figure 4.2, direct Foundation Seed production through NARS in their farms <strong>and</strong> managed by NARS<br />

personnel is very costly about US$ 3.28 per kg. However, seed production through contract growers<br />

can significantly reduce cost <strong>of</strong> seed production. <strong>Farmers</strong>’ associations <strong>and</strong> small-scale producers can<br />

produce high quality Foundation Seed at lower costs, (US$1.10 per ha).<br />

Figure 4-2: Cost <strong>of</strong> seed production by different institutions<br />

The major cost items in seed production are manual harvesting, weeding, seed <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> preparation. Opportunities for<br />

mechanization should be explored.<br />

Figure 4-3: Average cost per activity performed<br />

Based on the analysis <strong>of</strong> costs involved in seed production <strong>and</strong> delivery systems in West Africa, it is clear<br />

that the production <strong>of</strong> Breeder Seed should remain the responsibility <strong>of</strong> NARS. However, government<br />

commitment to support NARS in the production <strong>of</strong> Breeder Seed is essential. Revolving fund schemes<br />

within NARS should be supported by government to ensure sustainability. The production <strong>of</strong> Basic Seed<br />

through contract farming with small-scale seed producers <strong>and</strong>/or farmers’ organizations with technical<br />

backstopping from NARS. The production <strong>of</strong> certified seed should be entirely the responsibility <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Farmers</strong>’ organization <strong>and</strong> small-scale seed producers.<br />

Progress <strong>of</strong> Phase 1<br />

79

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