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This project aim to enhance food and nutrition security in Liberia through a demand-driven, well-structured, and regulated seed systems for rice. cassava. cowpea, cocoa referred to as "target crops" and fish. The intervention has three clusters of activities with the first cluster focusing on market intelligence to better tailor the intervention and capacity development of the National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES) to better perform their roles in the seed system especially those related to the production and supply of breeder seeds. The second cluster of activities is focus on the development of a market-driven seed system championed by the private sector and closely regulated by the public sector. The engagement of the private sector will be based on: (i) its capacity to demand breeder seeds and supply certified seeds on contractual basis and (ii) its capacity to demand certified seeds and supply to farmers on contractual basis. Thus, public-private-partnership and private-private-partnership contracts are envisaged under this intervention with the project team facilitating and providing capacity building and financial support especially during the first cycle of seed production. The third cluster of activities focuses on creating and enabling environment for a sustainable seed system. The activities here include operationalizing the SDCA and supporting it with an ICT-based seed production management and monitoring tool, improving farmers' access to seed and fertilizer credits and capacity building of SDCA staffs, farmers, and processor. WorldFish contribute to the fish related technical support among the big program with other partners working on other target corps.

Period of Implementation
Apr 1, 2024 - Apr 30, 2027
Total Budget
USD 0.00

Project team

Partners

Donors

OUR IMPACT

Goals

The overall objective impact of this action is to enhance food and nutrition security in Liberia through a demand-driven, well-structured, and regulated seed systems for rice. cassava. cowpea, cocoa referred to as "target crops" and fish.

Objectives

1. Gather market intelligence on the target crops and fish in Liberia. their diversity and preferences, demand, supply and Other major players in the respective seed systems. 2. Enhance the capacity of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI). the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and students at the university of Liberia to sustainably produce, Store, and supply breeder seeds/seedlings of target crops varieties (including bio-fortified), broodstock and quality seed production of improved strains of selected fish species preferred by consumers. 3. Strengthen the capacity of private seed companies (PSCs) and community-based seed enterprises (CBSEs) and community-seed producers (CBSPS) to sustainably produce, store, and supply foundation and certified seeds/seedlings of target crops and quality assured large size fingerlings of fish. 4.Increase quality assurance in the seed system in Liberia by operationalizing the Seed Development and Certification Agency (SDCA) and strengthening the Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA).

Problems and Needs Analysis

Most farming households in the country produce rice (71%) and cassava (60%), yet production is below subsistence levels. Reason why rice and cassava were selected. Cowpea and fish were selected because they are rich source of plant and animal proteins and micronutrients important in combating malnutrition especially amongst children and women of childbearing age. In addition, bio-fortified rice (zinc, iron and vitamin A), cassava (vitamin A) and cowpea (zinc and iron) are available and can be sourced from CGIAR center and promoted in Liberia after consumer preference studies. In addition, local varieties that meet consumer preferences will also be promoted to enhance genetic diversification. The choice of cocoa was linked to an increasing demand for cocoa seed/planting materials. One of the key bottlenecks in increasing food and cash crop production is the underdeveloped seed system. Improved seed can deliver state-of-the-art genetic innovations to farmers, offering higher yields, disease and pest resistance, climate-change adaptation, reduced pre- and posthatvest losses, and improved nutritiong. Working under the umbrella of The African Seed Access Index (TASAI), Mabaya et al. (2021)10 reported that 96% of farmers in Liberia rely on an informal seed system which undermines the efforts to achieve food and nutrition security and high farmer income. The critical ramification of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shortage of seeds in many African countries. One of the possible reasons for this was that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused some seed producers to shut down and have since lost their seed stocks or the seeds were used for food.

Intervention Strategy(ies)

The Main Activities contributing to the specific objectives are divided into three main clusters: Cluster1 Market intelligence and capacity upgrading the capacity of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES). Cluster2 Development of a market-driven seed system championed by private sector Cluster3 Creating an enabling environment for a sustainable seed system

Impact Pathway

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