West Africa Seed Program

Draft Report

Consortium Meeting on WASP Implementation
Lome, Togo15th to 17th December, 2014
/
PSAO/WASP /

Implementation of ECOWAS Regional Harmonized Seed Regulation C/REG.4/05/2008

7, Avenue Bourguiba, BP 48- cp18523- Dakar SENEGAL

Tel 22133 869 96 18 Fax 22133 869 96 31

  1. SESSION I: OPENING CEREMONY

The session proceeded with address by:

-The Chief of Party of WASP on behalf of the CORAF/WECARD Director of Programs, Dr. Ernest Asiedu

-The Representative of CILSS, Dr. Siaka Dembele

-The Representative of the USAID, Mr. Matthew Udziela

-The Representative of the Ministry responsible Agriculture, Togo, Dr. Assimiou Adou Rahim

-The Executive Director of Hub-Rural, (Facilitator), Dr. Yamar Mbodj

-The official opening was made by the Representative of the UEMOA, Mrs. Luisa Maria Kalmongo

Present were partners from:

ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, HUBRURAL,IITA, AFRICARICE, ICRISAT, FARA, GNIS, AFSTA, ROPPA,USAID, AGRA, Africa Seed, KNUST and CORAF/WECARD

  1. SESSION II- ACHIEVEMENTS OF RESULTS

The first day’s sessions focused on presentations of achievements of the Fiscal Year 2014 in two steps: firstly by the WASP Regional Team on the four program axes, M&E and Finance, secondly by the Implementing Partners (IITA, AfricaRice, AFSTA-WA and ROPPA). The second day’s activities commenced with the presentation of ICRISAT’s achievements in 2014. This was closely followed by the presentation of 2015 WASP Work plan for each result area and M&E by the WASP team. The experiences of Africa Seeds and FARA were equally shared with members. Following each day’s presentations the floor was opened by the lead facilitator for discussion. In general, the achievements for the 2013 fiscal year were highly appreciated by the participants. The workplan for the 2014 fiscal year were adjudged to be generally tailored to correspond to the needs of the sub region. Stakeholder agreed that CORAF/WECARD-WASP is contributing immensely to the Science Agenda and Agricultural Transformation under the NEPAD Strategy. Nevertheless, some key issues were raised during the discussion session under each axe. The summary of presentations and key issues raised are presented below:

1stPresentation: Context, objective, methodology and expected outcomes of the workshop and recall of the 2013 meeting

TheCORAF/WECARD established the Consortium of key partners on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission to respond to a USAID Request for Application which resulted in an award for the implementation of the WASP. This second annual meeting of the Consortium was held to examine the progress made towards achieving program objectives and to help provide an orientation for the implementation of activities in the 2015 work plan which marks the mid- term of the program. Results achieved at the meeting are as follows:

  • Achievements made and lessons learnt so far during the implementation of the Program shared with partners
  • Partners’ contribution to the development of the regional seed system shared
  • The 2015 Workplan improved and adopted by Consortium partners of the Program
  • Consortium arrangements and ownership improved and a mechanism for leveraging extra funds proposed
  • Program governance and management improved.

The recommendations, the roadmap and their level of implementation since the First Consortium Meeting held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 13th and 14th December, 2013 were recalled.

2ndPresentation: Achievements in the Implementation ofAlliance for Seed Industry in West Africa (ASIWA)

This presentation showed the advances made towards the implementation of the ASIWA. It demonstrated an approach to mobilize partnership and resources need for creating synergy in the implementation of the Alliance; actions for effective implementation were also presented. Summary achievements are as follows:

FY 2014 Achievements towards Attainment of Result 1
  • Action Plan and Report on ASIWA finalized and validated in a high-profile stakeholders meeting
  • ASIWA acclaimed among stakeholders as appropriate platform to bring together policy, private, public sector and development partners to share ideas and expertise
  • Production and diffusion of publications and briefs on WASP increased buy-in for WASP in sub-region including non-WASP targeted countries, e.g. Liberia
  • Visibility of WASP enhanced in the sub-region. Governing Board of AFSTA presented plaque to CORAF/WECARD WASP for immense role in seed system improvement in the sub region
  • Partnership leverage with Syngenta, UEMOA, ISU, AGRA SSTA, WAFP and INSAH/CILSS expected to leverage adequate support and push to create synergy to scale up seed system improvement in the sub region
  • Financial leveraged from WAAPP to support the development of a seed project for the Farmer Based Organization, ROPPA.

-Emerging Issues were as follows:

•The need to provide clear details for proper conception and understanding of concept at national levels was considered necessary

•The need to support Universities to improve their current curriculum to accommodate news areas and acquire relevant capacity to meet standards available in international Universities is essential

•The need to develop a University/Private sector forum in the region was equally canvassed

•The need to ensure wide consultation to expand the base of the Alliancefor the buy-in of additional stakeholders (AGRA, FARA, ARIPO, OAPI, GNIS, UE etc.) within and outside the region and not rush to launch the Alliance

•The need to learn from experiences developed in other regions and continents (Central and eastern Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas) is key to the sustainability of the Alliance

3rd Presentation:Achievements in the Implementation of the ECOWAS Seed Policy and regulations and the draft action plan of the West Africa Seed Committee (WASC/COASem).Summary achievements are as follows:

FY 2014 Achievements towards Attainment of Result 2
  • Four Member States –Burkina, Liberia, Mali and Senegal-facilitated to publish ECOWAS Seed Regulation in official gazette, bringing to ten, total States that have gazetted[1]
  • One Member State facilitated- Guinea to update regulatory framework
  • Country Awareness deepened on ECOWAS Procedures Manual through printing and distribution of over 4,000 copies. One Member State f- Guinea facilitated to update National Quarantine Pest List
  • Action Plan and report for WASC/COASem finalized and validated; Planning underway to launch WASC/COASem to strengthen National Seed Committees to function per requirement of ECOWAS Regulation
  • Capacity of 300 policy experts from eight countries increased in Varietal Release, Seed Quality Control and certification and phytosanitary certification

-Issues raised on Seed Policy

•Need to come up with a strategy to ensure the harmonization of the ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILLS Policy.

•Development of a single MOU for approval of ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILLS

•Need for a review of the current policy to reflect the harmonization

•Need to advocate for a trade policy to remove the taxation of horticultural seeds

•Need to provide support to the National Seed Services for effective policy implementation

•Need for a common plant quarantine system within countries

•Need to mobilize institutions that develop varieties (NARI, CGIAR) to support catalogue development and training in seed regulation and procedure manuals development

•Need for the public sector to involve and support the private sector in particular regarding Foundation seed production

•Reinforcement the synergy between WAAPP and WASP with regard to the implementation of the harmonized regulation

This presentation threw light on the achievements within the implementation of the ECOWAS Seed Regulation by the Member States and the outcome of consultations with UEMOA in implementing a common ECOWAS-UEMOA-CILSS seed regulation. The action plan and budget for the implementation of the WASC/COASem were also presented.

4th Presentation:Achievements in the Production and Supply of Breeder Seed of New Genetic Materials

The presentations showed the support to the NARS in the planning the production of breeder seeds to respond to the needs for foundation and certified seeds. The quantities of breeder seeds produced during the 2014 fiscal year and the achievements in training conducted to strengthen national capacities in seed production were also demonstrated. Summary achievements are as follows:

FY 2014 Achievements towards Attainment of Result 3
  • Agreements,MoUsand public-public partnerships with Partner NARSs and CGIARs consolidated for production of breeder seeds
  • Commitment of Partners to protocols for production of Breeder Seeds progressively strengthening
  • Production of Breeder Seeds of targeted Crops commenced with first production of 55mt distributed to over 70 Private Seed enterprises, Companies and Farmer-based organizations
  • Capacity and skills of362 seed experts from five countries increased in seed laboratory practices, seed production and processing, seed variety maintenance, procedures for release of crop varieties, breeder seed coordination and planning.
  • Enhanced understanding of appropriate techniques in breeder seed production for NARS Seed Units

-Issues raised on Breeder Seed Production

•Need for effective planning and coordination of all production to ensure that all demands for seed are well planned ahead of need

• need to collaborate with ARIPO and OAPI to reinforce capacity to introduce the IPR in seed variety protection

5th Presentation: Achievements in Seed Agribusiness Development and Strengthening Seed Trade Associations

This presentation highlighted three main areas of achievements:

  • Numbers of Small and Medium Enterprises with capacity strengthened in technical and agribusiness in responding to the demands for quality seeds.

•Strengthening of the organizational and operational capacities of the National Seed Trade Associations and AFSTA-West Africa.

•Support for the development of Public-Private-Partnership

Summary achievements are as follows:

FY 2014Achievements towards Attainment of Result 4
  • Gradual strengthening of the private seed sector in Governance, Organizational development and business approaches leading to increased production of foundation seeds
  • High upsurge in technical knowledge and skills, and better understanding in seed systems and seed multiplication
  • Increased opportunity for the private seed sector to access loans and better manage businesses
  • Information exchanges, linkages and transactions among seed system actors increased due to MIS and Electronic platform
  • High pull effects on breeder seeds with increased access of seeds and spill-over effects on farmers and end-users
  • Strengthened seed trade and marketing among seed industry players in the sub-region
  • Capacities of 304 private sector stakeholders from six countries strengthened in agribusiness

-Issues raised on Agribusiness

•Need to include ROOPA and AFSTA members in all trainings to cover technicians and breeders from private sector

•The need to foster partnership with FARA and introduce the seed business incubator concept to West African countries

•The need organize a regional workshop on PPP to facilitate Research-Private sector partnership and collaboration on business principles

6th Presentation: Achievements in Monitoring Evaluation

The presentation highlighted the indicators for reporting and the level of realization of the indicators. Generally, the level of indicator achievements was satisfactory.

FY 2014 Achievements on M&E
  • DQA procedures established in all Partner countries
  • Results-based mechanisms strengthened
  • Clear performance management approaches to track performance across targeted countries and regional level adopted
  • Components of the M&E system fully implemented
  • M&E functions improved and evident in quality performance reporting at national and regional levels.
  • Capacity of WASP regional and national teams strengthened in RBM and M&E
  • Impact of Technical trainings of the WASP assessed

7th Presentation: Financial Management

This presentation showed the level of disbursements under the agreements signed between CORAF/WECARD and partners and also at the CORAF/WECARD Secretariat. The presentation demonstrated performance of financial management evident by the level of funds justified and certified. In general, the 2014 performance showed improvement over 2013.

2015 Workplan highlighted activities and expected outcomes of activities under the Four Axes and M&E

  1. SESSION III–ACHIEVEMENTS OF RESULTS - PARTNERS & COLLABORATION

8th and 9th Presentation:Achievements in the Implementation of the Agreements with the CGIAR (IITA, ICRISAT and AfricaRice)

The agreements with CGAIR centres are to support the production and supply of breeder seeds of new genetic materials tolerant to stresses and adapted to the effects of climate change to the NARS and the private sector.

10th and 11th Presentation:Achievements in the Implementation of the Agreements with ROPPA and AFSTA

The agreement with ROPPA is to coordinate a seed project PAPROSEM through ASPRODEP under WAAPP funding managed by WASP. The agreement with AFSTA under the funding of WASP is to strengthen the capacities of the National Seed Trade Associations and to establish and manage the AFSTA West Africa office.

12 and 13th Workplans, Partners Presentations and Collaboration

  1. OBSERVATIONS
  • The weak involvement of universities in the processes of seed industry development in West Africa
  • The need to develop a strategy to improve the engagement of the private sector within the seed industry since the private sector has the means within the supply chain.
  • The need to acquire accreditation for selected laboratories in responding to international standards should be pursued with ISTA in collaboration with FAST
  • The need to strengthen research-private sector partnership and also Private-Private Partnership (e.g. AFSTA – ROPPA) in the development of the seed value chain in West Africa.
  1. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS,

The meeting congratulates WASP and Partners for high achievement of results in 2014 and high cumulated results for 2013-2014

We are delighted of the significant contributions of the international and national research institutions, the private sector, the farmer organizations and other partners to the results achieved

The CGIAR and the private sector organizations have shown successful achievements, which demonstrates that there is a solid base for the promotion of the seed industry for the region. The private sector organizations (AFSTA & ROPPA) also showed their levels of achievements, which demonstrated a strong base for seed industry development.

Recommendations:

ASIWA

-Clear details and the necessary documents and information for proper conception and understanding of concept at national levels should be provided national partners

-Support to the Universities to improve their current curriculum to accommodate new areas and acquire relevant capacity to meet standards available in international Universities; University-Private sector partnership should be established

-Necessary steps should be taken to quickly implement ASIWA

Policy and Regulations

-The proposal for the harmonization of WASC/COASem and CRSU should be presented at the WASC/COASem Statutory Meeting for approval and adoption

-The proposal for bringing the Private Sector and the International Organization to the status of statutory members should be presented at the WASC/COASem Statutory Meeting for approval and adoption

-Necessary steps should be taken to quickly implement WASC/COASem

-Develop a simple document (brochure or fact sheet) describing the approach and procedures for the implementation of the harmonized of the ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILSS Seed Regulation.

-Development of a single MOU for approval of ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILSS harmonized regulation and regional seed committee and review the current policy to reflect the harmonization

-There is the need to advocate for trade policy reform to harmonize taxation on all seeds, including horticultural seeds

-There will be the need to provide support to the National Seed Services for effective seed policy implementation

-Need to mobilize institutions that develop varieties (NARI, CGIAR) to support catalogue development and training in seed regulation and procedure manuals development

-Reinforcement the synergy between WAAPP and WASP with regard to the implementation of the harmonized regulation

Breeder Seeds

-Within the context of low supply of foundation seeds, there will be the need for the public sector to support the production of foundation seeds while supporting the transformation of the private sector in taking over this role.

-There is the need to facilitated collaborating between ARIPO and OAPI to reinforce capacity to introduce the IPR in seed variety protection

-Need to include ROPPA and AFSTA members in all trainings to cover technicians and breeders from private sector

-The CGIAR are encouraged to clearly show partnerships with the NARIs in the implementation of activities of the program.

-Organize special trainings to strengthen the capacities of the staff and technicians of the seed services and the private sector on quality assurance, training theme should include field production and maintenance, storage, drying, processing, conditioning and marketing

-The process to strengthen capacities of certain number of laboratories in the region should be pursued to acquire ISTA accreditation status in collaboration with FAST and FAO.

Agribusiness

-Capitalize on the technical and financial support to strengthen the Research-Private Sector partnership and Private-Private Partnership (AFSTA-ROPPA).

-Need to include ROOPA and AFSTA members in all trainings to cover technicians and breeders from private sector

-The need to foster partnership with FARA & AGRA and introduce the seed business incubator concept to West African countries

-The need to organize a regional workshop on PPP to facilitate Research-Private sector partnership and collaboration on business principles

-Continue to strengthen the private sector capacity to produce Foundation Seeds

Finance

-In the light of the acceleration of project activities in Fiscal Year 3, the will be the need to increase the fund transfer from USAID to CORAF/WA

-In the light of challenges of receiving technical and financial reports and justification/proofs from certain partners, there will be the need to revisit the agreements and also train partners on the CORAF/WECARD modalities and requirements for financial management.

-There is a need to diversify the WASP funding sources to include the Regional Institutions (ECOWAS and UEMOA) and others.

-The need to capitalize on our successes and good practices to mobilize additional funding