Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
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utilization and marketing. In Nigeria a total <strong>of</strong> 567 farmers and 37 extension agents have been trained<br />
in seed production technology, and agronomic practices, segregation, standard, processing, storage<br />
and marketing.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 230 farmers and 120 extension agents have been trained in Kenya on seed production<br />
technology and management practices <strong>of</strong> which 26% were women. In Mozambique, 482 farmers and<br />
40 extension agents have been trained.<br />
Lessons learned<br />
TL <strong>II</strong> soybean seed systems <strong>Phase</strong> 1 lessons are listed below.<br />
1. Building a strong effective partnership <strong>for</strong> widespread success: to deliver improved soybean<br />
varieties and production technologies require diverse partners in addition to the usual National<br />
Agricultural Research Institutions;<br />
2. Complementary crop management technologies: Complementary crop management practices<br />
that contribute to increased yield promoted alongside improved crop varieties are two<br />
components to increase productivity;<br />
3. A small pack marketing approach has the potential to reach hundreds <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> farmers,<br />
quickly. In both Nigeria and Niger, the sale <strong>of</strong> small packs has reached men and women farmers,<br />
and expanded the use <strong>of</strong> Certified Seed. It has also given farmers the opportunity to experiment<br />
new varieties at minimum risk. The small-pack model has already spread to other crops;<br />
4. Monitoring and evaluation have been crucial <strong>for</strong> understanding project opportunity and<br />
constraints. Considerable energy was expended to develop and put in place <strong>for</strong> the Integrated<br />
Per<strong>for</strong>mance Monitoring and Evaluation (IPME) processes <strong>of</strong> the project and such start-up ef<strong>for</strong>ts<br />
should not be underestimated. IPME has also delivered quickly—especially in identifying some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the opportunities and weakness <strong>of</strong> the project;<br />
5. Milestones achieved varied among countries due to limited human capacity and resources and<br />
commitment <strong>of</strong> partners; and<br />
6. Four key factors, all concerning capacity building, played a significant role in TL <strong>II</strong>’s success.<br />
These included the development <strong>of</strong> strong partnerships, sometimes now referred to as<br />
innovation plat<strong>for</strong>ms, the use <strong>of</strong> participatory approaches, the strengthening <strong>of</strong> communitybased<br />
organizations, and the use <strong>of</strong> research knowledge. TL <strong>II</strong> promoted linkages and created a<br />
strong partnership between stakeholders. The project worked closely with State ADPs, providing<br />
training in PREA, as well as new agricultural technologies and management practices. This was<br />
undertaken in ways which rein<strong>for</strong>ced each other based on the principles that people learn from<br />
practical experience and better from their peers.<br />
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Engaging Smallholder Farmers | <strong>Tropical</strong> <strong>Legumes</strong> <strong>II</strong> <strong>Project</strong>