The IITA
CGIAR
No. 2328
30 May – 3 June 2016
IITA launches seed systems project in Mozambique
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ITA, with partners, launched the USAIDfunded “Feed-the-Future Mozambique Improved Seeds for Better Agriculture” (SEMEAR) project with a stakeholders’ meeting and workshop held at the Hotel Melinio in Nampula, Mozambique on 20−21 April.
SEMEAR is a 5-year (2015−2019) program led by IITA that will use a winwin, public−private partnership approach to disseminate improved legume seeds and complementary crop management practices already developed in Mozambique through the PARTI–Platform for Agriculture Research and Technology Innovation. Other implementing partners in the program include the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM). The overall goal of SEMEAR is to increase the adoption of improved technologies, income, and food security of at least 100,000 households of smallholder farmers in Feed-the-Future Zones of Influence (FTFZOI) in Mozambique, namely Manica, Tete, Zambézia, and Nampula provinces. It will increase the production and supply of breeder, pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds in FTF-ZOI and strengthen the national seed systems; scale up and enhance the adoption of improved varieties and best management practices using participatory approaches; and enhance national policy dialog on seed and fertilizer supply.
Steve Boahen briefing visitors in a SEMEAR project site as part of the project launch.
Left: David Chikoye fielding questions from attendees during the launch of the SEMEAR project. Right: Olga Faftine, IIAM Director General, responding to members of the media covering the SEMEAR project launch in Mozambique.
The meeting was attended by representatives of farmers’ associations, extension agents, government officials, representatives of private seed companies, and officials from the FAO and USAID. It was opened by IITA Southern Africa Hub Deputy Director, Steve Boahen, and chaired by Constantino Cuambe, Northwestern Zone Director of IIAM. David Chikoye, IITA Regional Director for Southern Africa, thanked USAID and the American Government and people for supporting the project. He also elaborated on the project’s importance. “SEMEAR’s targets of 88.7 tons of breeder and pre-basic, 715 tons of basic/foundation seed supplied to seed companies and other partners, and 10,004 tons of certified seed supplied by seed companies and other seed producers to farmers signify that seed system development is important to Mozambique’s agricultural development. To quickly realize its goal, the project will explore working with similar initiatives in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region such as the Seed Harmonization Protocol, which facilitates movement of seeds within the region especially to areas facing scarcity,” Chikoye explained.
conjunction with USAID’s FTF Initiative. By focusing on improving the access to better seed, SEMEAR will help mitigate the effects of climate change such as floods, drought, and disease,” the ambassador highlighted. He pointed out, however, that Mozambican farmers are currently not using the improved seeds optimally. “SEMEAR should strive to increase the adoption of better technologies and seeds to improve agricultural production. The US will continue to support the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, CGIAR centers, and other partners to improve agricultural production in Mozambique,” he added. Guest of Honor Olga Faftine, IIAM Director General, representing Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture, pointed out that the project will improve seed production that meet market demands, help build capacity of IIAM scientists, and improve necessary infrastructure within the national research program.
“Creation of suitable conditions for farmers to produce quality seeds will lead to production of nutritious Sam Ajala in maize field foods. Farmers will benefit from increased food security and income due to improved quality production,” Faftine emphasized. She added US Ambassador to Mozambique, His that the SEMEAR project goals support Excellency Dean Pittman, representing the MINAG policy paper for 2015−2019 USAID, stressed the importance of the project of improving seed supply as the project’s on improving crop production and reducing target crops are among its 15 priority crops. poverty and hunger among the Mozambique population. “SEMEAR is in agreement with “Let us plant (SEMEAR), germinate, grow, the policy of the government of Mozambique and produce,” concluded the IIAM DG, of building a stronger agricultural sector in officially launching the project.
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High soybean prices bode well for IITA’s MISST project
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he soybean marketing season is in full swing. Buyers are everywhere looking for the crop. In a drought-hit farming season, soybean has generally done well and farmers are at least assured of getting something from their produce. Prices have been good this year. A snap survey showed that soybean prices have increased by an average of 100% since the start of the marketing period. Chabwera Dzonzi, a soybean farmer from Chankoma Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa in Dowa was all smiles when he sold his two 50-kg bags at Tiyenazoni Traders at Mponela in the district. “When the marketing season opened in early April, soybean prices were at around K180 per kilogram. As of midMay, I have sold my soybean at K330 (about 50 US cents) per kilogram. From the same quantity which could have given me K18,000 ($26), I have made K33,000 ($47). This is good for us farmers, and I urge all the buyers to continue offering such good prices,” narrated a happy Dzonzi. The story was the same at most soybean buying points around Mponela. The lowest price offered within Mponela was K310, which is higher than the prices during this time last year.
John Mtelemuka of Mandere General Dealers, who buys soybean at Mponela, gave a variety of reasons for the soaring soybean prices. “There are several reasons for such an increase in prices. One is that there is a lot of speculation among us, the buyers. There is a belief that due to the drought experienced in the last farming season, there is less production. As such, many buyers are willing to offer higher prices and buy as much as they can,” explained Mtelemuka. Mtelemuka added that the other reason is that more and more farmers are becoming aware that they can negotiate for higher prices. And this is true of those farmers who come in groups, clubs, and cooperatives. Other (individual) farmers who heard that their colleagues sold at a higher price also demanded the higher prices. “We have had more farmers coming with their produce as clubs. We offer better prices to those who bring 500 kg or more. Farmers have realized this, so they would like to maximize the money they make by bulking their soybean in groups,” said Mtelemuka. The prices were similar at Madisi, Chinkhoma in Kasungu, Kasungu boma, Santhe, Kamwendo, and Waliranji in Mchinji. The rapid price rise has been the same with the Export Trading Group (ETG) at Chinkhoma in Kasungu. Febby Gwede is a Crops Buying Officer at the Chinkhoma ETG shop―she gives another possible reason for the price increase. “What we have observed here is that farmers are holding on to their produce having realized that the price keeps changing almost each and every week. And we encourage farmers to bring their crops in cooperatives because we offer them a higher price,” explained Gwede.
High-yielding soybean variety.
IITA Bulletin 2328
A farmer selling his soybean crop at Chinkhoma ETG shop, Mphatso Patrick, said he is happy with the prices this season, and prayed that the momentum would continue to next year.
A soybean buying point for ETG Company at Chinkhoma in Kasungu, Central Malawi
“Last year, the highest price for soybean was K250. But this year, we are already offered K330 in May. I’m asking all the soybean buying companies to maintain these kinds of prices because obviously, it will encourage more farmers to increase the production of soybean,” explained Patrick. Dzonzi of Mponela earlier expressed similar sentiments―of increased production in the next farming season, and hoping for continued good prices. “This year, I planted soybean on a 0.5 hectare piece of land, and because I did not plant certified seed, I only managed to harvest 350 kg (7 bags of 50-kg each). Next year, with the information you have provided about improved certified soybean varieties, I hope to dedicate about a hectare of my land to soybean because it’s much easier to produce than tobacco,” said Dzonzi. This is where projects like the Malawi Improved Seed Systems and Technologies (MISST) being implemented by IITA are crucial in enabling farmers like Dzonzi and Patrick to access better quality seeds and better agronomic practices. Patrick said, “I am happy that you came to visit us. I have learned a lot from you. Next season, I will make sure I acquire certified seeds so that I harvest more. And your visits to these markets will also help to keep the prices high because the buyers will know that they are being monitored”.
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AgResults organizes Innovation Platform for implementers and buyers of Aflasafe™ maize
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gResults linked over 30 implementers of aflasafe-treated maize with potential buyers during its Innovation Platform workshop, held on 25 May, at the Best Western Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. Building on three years of success of the AgResults Project in private sectorled innovations through the “pull” mechanism, the workshop aimed to create an enabling environment for potential off-takers to link up with implementers, who produce aflatoxin-reduced maize. It focused on bridging the gap between these producers and interested buyers. Additionally, the workshop sought to address the common challenges militating against a sustainable market and adoption of aflatoxin-reduced maize.
Debo Akande, AgResults Aflasafe Pilot Manager, explaining what informed the platform, stated: “At an early stage of AgResults implementers and buyers linkup during the Innovation Platform workshop. the project, we identified the disconnect between the producers of aflatoxin- The problem of awareness was a central nominal terms it is more expensive but from reduced maize and the buyers as a key point during the discussions. Participants my experience there is reduction in mortality, constraint. That disconnect is what we discussed the need for more awareness reduction in use of antibiotics and better are addressing through the Innovation that will inform the general public about growth rate. For all this, the premium paid Platform today. What we have noticed the fatal dangers of aflatoxin and also the for the Aflasafe-treated maize is justified. I is that once a buyer buys from an need for awareness geared specifically at don’t see why I should change.” implementer and uses aflasafe-treated improving market conditions for aflatoxinSimilarly, Victor Oduguwa, a poultry farmer maize, the relationship continues beyond reduced maize. and CEO of Nation Feeders Nigeria Ltd., here.” The workshop received positive reactions stated: “12 months ago I was looking for In their presentations, Alejandro from the participants. They were where to get aflatoxin-reduced maize. I Ortega-Beltran, IITA plant pathologist, impressed with the innovative format have now been using Aflasafe-treated and Stella Denloye, former Director, that allowed implementers to rotate and maize for a year, and it is cost-effective Laboratory Services, NAFDAC, provided discuss with the each buyer present. compared to the alternatives. Most of the a comprehensive overview of aflatoxin Buyers who had been adversely affected maize I used in this financial year was and its effect on health, food security, and by high levels of aflatoxin saw the bought from farmers in this room. I am economic returns. Denloye commended program as a solution to their problems. grateful for this event today; it has linked IITA for its role in bringing the dangers us to 16 different Implementers who of aflatoxin to the fore. “We have always A buyer, Toyin Akin-Johnson, CEO of we are discussing with on how we can known about aflatoxin. When I was in Creative Solutions Farm Ltd., a large-scale deepen this initiative.” school in the 70s we studied aflatoxin but poultry farm, expressed his pleasure over we just observed its effect on food. Now the program and the initiative. “This is a AgResults is a multi-donor initiative with the work IITA has been doing we very laudable program. I want to thank incentivizing and rewarding high-impact know more about aflatoxin. We know the the sponsors for this.” On the cost of the agricultural innovation that promotes biological problems it causes,” she stated. Aflasafe-treated maize, he noted: “On global food security, health, and nutrition.
Announcements • 7th Africa Agricultural Science Week and FARA General Assembly, Kigali, Rwanda, 12-17 June. More information available at http://www.faraafrica.org/aasw7/. • Africa RISING ESA project review and planning meeting, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, 30 June -2 July • Africa RISING - NAFAKA scaling project review and planning meeting, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, 4-5 July • 3rd All Africa Horticultural Congress, Theme: “Horticultural for Improved Livelihoods”, Conference Center, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 7-12 August. • 7th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 4–8 December. More details on the conference are available here. IITA Bulletin 2328
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IITA signs MoU with CATAS on improved crop varieties and cultivation techniques
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ITA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) to enhance the introduction of new crop varieties and cultivation techniques to IITA in the next five years.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, IITA scientists presented on our research programs and activities. The delegates were later taken around the Abuja Station to see an exhibition with various confectionary, and the cassava, vegetable, and fish farms.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU held at IITA Nigeria (Abuja), Gbassey Tarawali, who signed on behalf of IITA, stressed the importance of formalizing this partnership as both Institutes “share commonalities in crops and climate.” In 2011, CATAS signed an MoU with IITA. Given the mutual benefits both parties have derived from the relationship, CATAS returned in 2016 to renew the partnership for another five years.
Our Chinese counterparts expressed delight in IITA’s youth program. “I hope that the Agripreneurs will come to Hainan Province, China, for an exchange of ideas,” Linsheng said.
The MoU would see China introducing new vegetables and cassava varieties to IITA. Besides, IITA will benefit from improved cultivation techniques, exchange programs, youth programs, and improved knowledge on how to coordinate farmers. “There is great potential in collaborating with IITA in the development of tropical agriculture as well as strengthening and enhancing the existing partnership,” the leader of the Chinese delegation, Wang Linsheng, said.
CATAS with headquarters in Xueyuan, Hainan Province, is the largest tropical agricultural research institute in China with 14-member affiliate research institutes. It The CATAS delegation is given a tour of the is situated on 4000 hectares of land with IITA Abuja station. about 4600 staff. Transformation and Cooperation, Hainan In the Chinese delegation were Wang Provincial Department of Science and Linsheng, Deputy DG, Hainan Provincial Technology; and Prof Jianping Zhao, Department of Science and Technology Deputy DG of Space and Beverage and Head of International Cooperation; Research Institute of CATAS. Chen Yeyuan, Director of Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute; Y.C Zhang, Linsheng thanked IITA for accepting to Dean, Ecology of Materials and Chemical renew the MoU with CATAS and expressed Engineering, Hainan University; Dafei confidence that the new partnership will be Zheng, Director of Science and Technology mutually beneficial to both parties.
SARD-SC maize lauded at planning workshop for refining IP system for enhancing productivity
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ver 50 stakeholders, including national partners, researchers, farmers, Innovation Platform representatives, IITA maize team, members of maize associations, and SARD-SC project maize country coordinators met in early April in Accra, Ghana, for the planning meeting and workshop of the maize component of the project. The workshop deliberated and developed work plans for the year and assessed respective achievements of each participating country. The four-day event provided an in-depth analysis, discussion, and assessment of every component
Sam Ajala in a maize field.
IITA Bulletin 2328
of the maize program. It also provided an opportunity to proffer solutions to constraints against maize productivity and implementation of the maize component of the project in Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Zambia.
to draw from the diversity of expertise to make it work and build the foundation for phase two of the project.” Sam Ajala, the SARD-SC Maize Commodity Specialist, talked about the importance of maize as a versatile crop, for both domestic and industrial utilization. He said the meeting should enable the country coordinators to work with their teams to draw up their work plans for the year as well as to appraise maize achievements. “This is the time to develop our work plans and assess our achievements and improve them if they are below par.”
In his welcome remarks, David Chikoye, Director of Eastern Africa, IITA, Zambia, said that maize is essential to food security and is an important staple food in Zambia. He implored all participants to be committed to the work plans to make them a reality. “The project is at a crossroads and we need to convince the AfDB we can deliver on nutritional security and project milestones,” Some of the achievements of the maize he said. component in the past years were highlighted Abebe Menkir, IITA Maize Leader, by Ajala, in his presentation titled Overview commended the SARD-SC project for the of maize achievements,“Accelerating strides it has made in each of the commodity Maize Transformational Impact in Africa. value chains and for implementing and For instance, 177 multiple stress tolerant perfecting the innovation platform system. (drought, Striga, low soil nitrogen, and stem “I am very pleased to see the project borer) nutrient dense pro-vitamin A and expanding its area of emphasis which is mycotoxin-resistant maize germplasm have increasing productivity of the value chains been developed and shared with partners. of maize, cassava, wheat, and rice. I want Participants agreed to deploy various to commend those responsible for this. The communication media to promote maize good thing is that the project has been able activities in their respective countries. page 4
IITA hosts “Alliance” workshop on Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD)
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onsolidating the progress on Learning Alliance efforts to address the impact of the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) disease in Africa was the focus of a 6-day workshop organized by the “Alliance for Banana Bunchy Top Disease Control in Africa” at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
To facilitate banana research, Staver unveiled the online banana mapper, a participatory map that helps researchers locate banana producing areas across Africa. A virtual map, it is visible and accessible to local experts who can contribute relevant data.
“The objectives of the workshop, held 23−29 May, were to strengthen the BBTD learning alliance for sub-Saharan Africa, finalize the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas-funded complementary grant, and prioritize and plan future courses of action,” said Lava Kumar, IITA-Virologist and co-organizer of the workshop.
Also in this workshop, new diagnostic tools, LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) and RPA (recombinase polymerase amplification) for BBTV detection in field conditions were demonstrated by the IITA Virology team members, Oresanya Adedamola and Adedeji Dapo. These methods can be used in the field for virus detection without any need for complicated procedures or equipment.
Participants from 12 countries convened to share the progress made in eradicating BBTD in 2015 and identify the best practices for the 2016 work plan. The countries included Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo Republic, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Malawi, and Nigeria. Michael Abberton welcomed the participants on behalf of Robert Asiedu, IITA Director, Research for Development, for IITA-West Africa. He was joined by Sunday Akinyemi, NIHORT; Charles Onyeani of Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service; and Charles Staver, Biodiversity International. They highlighted the importance of the workshop and the task ahead of them all. “The problem is not smaller, we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” Staver stated. Mainstreaming gender in BBTD intervention was central to discussions throughout the workshop. IITA gender research expert, Lillian Nkengla,
Lava Kumar in a huddle with Robert Asiedu (left) and Sylvia Oyinlola (center).
emphasized the importance of inclusion to account for the complementary relationship between the roles performed by men, women, and children in banana production and their respective contributions in BBTD management. Discussions also focused on the challenges faced during community mobilization in the eradication of the disease. Participants spoke on the problem of convincing farmers about BBTD and keeping them motivated. In his presentation on mobilization in Nigeria, Kumar, highlighted the role that better education and confidence building could play in improving the effectiveness in the community mobilization phase. During the presentations, participants were given 6−8 minutes in speed talks to highlight their successes and challenges. Participants then broke into working groups to critically evaluate approaches and identify best practices and areas for further research.
The workshop also witnessed the unveiling of a new Gates Foundationfunded initiative “BBTV mitigation: Community management in Nigeria and screening wild banana progenitors for resistance” led by The University of Queensland with IITA, NIHORT, NAQS, and Université d’Agriculture de Kétou (Benin) as partners. Participants lauded the ALLIANCE’s efforts and expressed commitment to continue in 2017 and beyond. The “ALLIANCE” is a multinational, multistakeholder, interdisciplinary team formed under the framework of the CGIAR Roots, Tubers and Banana (CRP-RTB) program, to mount a coordinated action to halt the expansion of banana bunchy top disease and recover banana production in the disease-affected areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
BBTV project participants in the workshop at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. Got a story to share? Please email it with photos and captions every Wednesday to Katherine Lopez (k.lopez@cgiar.org), Jeffrey T. Oliver (j.oliver@cgiar.org), Catherine Njuguna (c.njuguna@cgiar.org), or Adaobi Umeokoro (a.umeokoro@cgiar.org).
IITA Bulletin 2328
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DRC governor cites IITA efforts to combat food/nutritional security
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t the closing ceremony of a 3-day international conference that put nutrition at the top of the development agenda, the Governor of South Kivu Province of DR Congo, His Excellency Marcellien Cishambo, commended IITA for its bold steps to address food and nutritional security in the country and especially in South Kivu. According to the Governor, there is a strong linkage between agriculture and nutrition. IITA has introduced technologies to increase agricultural productivity, production, and agroprocessing, and mechanisms to empower youth and women.
During the conference, he recognized Chris Okafor, Officer in Charge, IITA Kalambo, and Noel Mulinganya, Coordinator, IITAKalambo Youth Agripreneurs (IKYA) in appreciation of their excellent work. He invited stakeholders to visit IITA Kalambo as well as the Youth Center in Bukavu City to explore ways of collaborating with IITA in the fight against food and nutritional security. He assured participants that the IITA Youth Agripreneurs are now leading in youth agribusinesses and can contribute significantly to the fight against malnutrition, poverty, and youth unemployment.
The conference was organized on 24−26 May by the South Kivu Provincial Government with UNICEF, FAO, the World Food Program (WFP), and Swiss Cooperation to mobilize stakeholders to develop a multistakeholder intervention to reduce malnutrition in South Kivu. In his opening remarks, the Provincial Minister of Health observed that “malnutrition has reached a critical level in the province (53% malnutrition rate). Therefore, there is a pressing need to act quickly and efficiently”. The chair of the conference, Leonard Mashako, noted that we cannot solve the malnutrition issue without addressing the agriculture challenges. The strong linkage between malnutrition and agriculture was echoed by all the presenters. Mulinganya of IITA made a presentation titled Youth Agripreneurs: Drivers of future African agriculture. The representative of UN Agencies advised that successful innovations that can help address cultural barriers to nutrition should be taken on board when developing new projects.
Governor Marcellien Cishambo (left) receiving a cup of IKYA fresh juice from Chris Okafor (center).
IKYA mounted an exhibition where they displayed various processed products including high quality cassava flour, cassava bread, soy milk, cookies, and fruit juices. The stand attracted many stakeholders including WFP, the American Refugee Council, Swiss Cooperation (Rwanda), and UNICEF which indicated interest in collaborating with IKYA. Excited by the display of IKYA, the Governor announced his interest to be the grand patron of IKYA.
IITA youth wins in the SUPA youth agribusiness camp 2016
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eckie Nakabugo, youth coordinator of Uganda Youth Agripreneurs, emerged among the top five winners that automatically entered the Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development (CURAD) competition that will give the overall winner a prize of US$5000 to grow their business ideas.
This was during the “SUPA Youth in Agribusiness Camp” that was organized by Agri Profocus with IITA among other partners. The camp was organized under the theme, “Unlocking the youth’s potential in agribusiness for sustainable livelihoods”. It was held at Namugongo, Kampala, on 16– 19 May, and was attended by over 70 youths from urban, peri-urban, and rural areas in Uganda and Kenya. The Camp aimed to inspire the youth to go into agribusiness as a means of employment to foster development in Uganda. Different inspirational speakers and experts were invited to talk to the youth including Mondo Kyateka, the Commissioner for Uganda Youth Livelihoods, among other dignitaries. The youths were required to participate in the agribusiness challenge where they had IITA Bulletin 2328
Beckie Nakabugo pitching for the online vegetable marketing tool during the Camp.
to showcase their business plans using the Canvas model that they had been trained in. Five winners were selected and awarded prizes. After selling the online vegetable marketing tool to the panel, Beckie Nakabugo, emerged overall 4th among the 70 youths which automatically makes her eligible to compete for the grand prize.
Meanwhile another youth, Denye Denis, who is also undergoing training with the help of IITA through the Humidtropics program, was also among the top five. IITA’s role is to work with all stakeholders including the youth to generate knowledge and models that allow the youth to sustainably engage in agribusiness. page 6