Building resilient seed systems for rice, cassava, cowpea, cocoa, and fish value chains to strengthen food and economic diversification in Liberia
Project goal
The goal of the project is to enhance food and nutrition security in Liberia by developing a regulated, demand-driven seed system for key crops and fish, improving seed production, quality assurance, and market access, and strengthening the capacity of public and private sector stakeholders.
Expected results
- Diversity of improved inbred and clones of target crops (including bio-fortified) and fish species identified.
- Market demand for seed established and appropriate marketing strategy developed.
- Ongoing interventions in different value chains identified and strengthened.
- Fully functional breeder seed production facility optimized at CARI.
- Cohort breeding hatcheries for mixed-sex fry and mono-sex tilapia fry set up at NaFAA.
- Staff of CARI, NaFAA, and MoA trained on early generation seed/seedling production and fry production.
- Students at the University of Liberia trained through internship programs in fisheries and aquaculture sciences.
- Superior improved inbred and clones of target crop varieties and fish species registered and incorporated into national and regional catalogues.
- Breeder seeds of improved target crop varieties and mixed-sex tilapia fry produced by CARI with backstopping from AfricaRice, IITA, and WorldFish.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs trained to produce, store, and supply foundation and certified seeds/seedlings of superior improved target crops and fish.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs received mechanization support for seed production, processing, and storage.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs produce foundation seeds of target crops and fish strains.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs produce certified seeds of target crops and fish strains.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs trained on seed marketing techniques and business strategies.
- PSCs, CBSEs, and CBSPs received software for managing seed production, processing, certification, and marketing activities.
- SDCA received software and staff trained to connect with public and private seed enterprises for monitoring activities.
- Seed extension agents and seed inspectors trained on seed quality control, certification, and marketing techniques.
- Certified seeds/seedlings of superior improved varieties of target crops and fish sold in Liberia.
Project leader: Sanni, Lateef
Start date: January 1, 2024
End date: November 30, 2027
Location: Liberia
Team members:
Abberton, Michael
Dixon, Alfred G.O.
Sanni, Lateef
Bhattacharjee, Ranjana
Diebiru-Ojo, Elohor Mercy
Asare, Richard
Edet, Michael
Aikpokpodion, Peter
Banda, Vishnuvardhan Reddy
Gurmu, Mesay Yami