Upscaling improved groundnut varieties – Ghana & Mali

Duration: April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2022

Project information

Full title: Upscaling improved groundnut varieties through integrated seed systems for improving income and nutrition in dryland of Ghana and Mali

Objective: This project aims to sustainably improve the groundnut seed systems for the upscaling of improved groundnut varieties for improving the income and nutrition in Ghana and Mali by adopting an innovative seed systems model that integrates the formal and informal channels to enhance seed production and marketing.

Abstract: Africa is the second largest groundnut producing continent accounting for about 40% and 31% of the global area and production, respectively. West and Central Africa region accounts for more than 70% of the groundnut production in Africa where the crop is cultivated by smallholder farmers. Groundnut is a major cash crop for many households, and it is a nutritious food that contributes to improved nutrition and health of the rural population. Despite its importance, the productivity of groundnut in Africa remains low with unshelled yield of less than 1 ton/ha compared with global average of about 1.7 tons/ha and over 3 tons/ha in USA and China attributed to various constraints including biotic, abiotic stresses and socioeconomic factors. In addition, low availability of breeder and foundation seeds of improved varieties and weak formal seed distribution systems contribute to the low productivity of the crop.

Therefore, the aim of this project is to sustainably improve the groundnut seed systems for the upscaling of improved groundnut varieties for improving the income and nutrition in Ghana and Mali. The project will adopt innovative seed systems model that integrates the formal and informal channels to enhance seed production and marketing. The project will achieve its goal by documenting the current groundnut seed systems and identifying the key actors along the seed value chains. The project will also assess the enabling conditions underlying effective uptake by women, men and youth for wider spread of improved varieties of groundnut in the target areas of both countries. The integrated systems that assures availability and access to affordable quality groundnut seeds for men, women and youth farmers through innovative production technologies and efficient business models will be explored. Finally stakeholders, from the on-going programs and projects will be engaged to formulate and integrate recommendations for improved groundnut seed systems.

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This project received funds in the Call on “Seed Systems Development (SSD): Enabling and Scaling Genetic Improvement and Propagation Materials” which was released by NWO-WOTRO within the framework of the Netherlands-CGIAR research partnership. The nine awarded project consortia consist of Dutch research institutes, CGIAR Research Programs or platforms, and (Dutch or local) partners from the public and private sector.