West Africa seed development unit (WASDU): strengthening the production and marketing of healthy planting materials of root and tuber crops

摘要

In most countries of West Africa root and tuber crops play a major role in national food security and contribute significantly to the economy. Cassava, yam, cocoyam and plantain constitute over 50% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product in Ghana. The share of the total seed supply of the formal sector in West Africa rarely exceeds 10%. All other seed and planting materials are produced by the farmers themselves. Often, seeds and planting materials are just saved from the current harvest for the:next planting season and informal diffusion takes place among farmers within the community. WASDU was established in 1996 to strengthen seed production and marketing in West Africa. WASDU is targeting the most important food crops such as tropical root and tuber crops, cereals and legumes. The present paper will only deal with the often neglected root and tuber crops. Due-to the vegetative multiplication of these crops, pests and diseases are carried over from season to season and are building up, thus contributing to high yield losses. WASDU seeks to strengthen the root and tuber crops sector in West Africa through training of key staff, through assistance of national programs in on-farm varietal evaluation of improved varieties, through support in the provision, multiplication, distribution and maintenance of clean stocks of planting materials, through assistance in establishing certification schemes and through the provision of selected community-based seed programs with high quality planting material.