On 14 and 15 December 2021 in Abidjan, stakeholders of the seed sector, convened by the competent ministries, met for the “National Forum on the Agricultural Seeds Sector” to support the seed industry, make it more efficient, and contribute to the transformation of agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire.
This meeting, in addition to national and international stakeholders working in Côte d’Ivoire, also attracted the participation of experts from the sub-region, in particular Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria.
The Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MEMINADER), Mr Coulibaly Siaka Minayaha, gave the opening address at the Forum, in the presence of the Executive Director of AfricaSeeds.
After an overview by the Directorate-General for Production and Food Security (DGPSA), experts from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria shared the experiences of their respective countries on the seed sector. The specialists of the convened organizations carried on the discussion on the seed aspects at sub-regional level.
The Forum has clearly identified the priority areas for intervention that should be allowed to play in the national semen sector its important role in the modernization and transformation of ivory agriculture. These priority areas are grouped into two major categories which are the regulatory and institutional framework, and the commercial aspects, including the private sector.
The Forum expressed its cordial congratulations to the Government on the recent reform of the organizational framework of the MEMINADER, which also allowed the establishment of the Directorate of Agricultural Inputs. It also noted with satisfaction the Government’s investment efforts to endow seeds laboratories with quality standards.
Finally, the Forum welcomed the emergence of young private operators involved in seed production.
Recommendations were made by the Forum to the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, toward the revision of the national seed policy and its implementation strategy. In particular, the following aspects were discussed, which are part of the Forum’s recommendations.
- Redefine the attributions of the seed administration;
- Take steps to comply with commitments and obligations of the ECOWAS region;
- Set up funding to support research on the production of first generation seeds (pre-base and base);
- Develop a production plan for pre-base and base seeds with all stakeholders;
- Provide and train seed inspectors;
- Quickly bring the seed analysis laboratories up to standard and operational;
- Develop a training plan for laboratory staff and seed controllers;
- Plan and carry out study trips and experience sharing for the benefit of seed administration actors;
- Make the price of certified seeds accessible to producers;
- Take into account in the production of quality seeds all existing seed systems in Côte d’Ivoire.
The stakeholders at the Forum, including the Technical and Financial Partners, reaffirmed their availability to support the Government in the process of reviving the seed sector in Côte d’Ivoire.
