Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Long-term Europe-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Titre : ABEE : West African Breeding Networks and Extension Empowerment

ABEE : Renforcement des réseaux et des capacités institutionnelles en Amélioration des plantes pour le développement de cultures résilientes répondant aux besoins des paysans d’Afrique de l’Ouest

Pays/Région : Burkina Faso ; Niger ; Senegal

Date : Start date 2020-01-01 End date 2024-12-31

Identifiant : 192-ABEE
Type de projet : Development and innovation oriented (research) project

Objectif
Strengthening of networks and institutional capacities in Plant breeding for the development of resilient crops - meeting the needs of farmers in West Africa. The overall objective is to contribute to the sustainable increase in agricultural productivity and the resilience of smallholder farmers in the face of population growth, economic vulnerability and climate change. More specifically, the project aims to implement a better coordinated approach to varietal selection, both at regional and national level, by placing breeders of five target crops(millet, sorghum, fonio, peanuts and cowpeas) from three countries (Burkina Faso, Niger and Senegal) at the heart of the action to improve and modernize their selection practices and better respond to market demand.

Présentation
The West African agricultural sector represents around 35% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 60% of the active population. However, several factors are hampering growth in agricultural productivity, including the fact that quality, reliable and affordable seeds and fertilizers are difficult to access and that the link between research, farmers and markets is still weak. In addition, there is still little information on new agricultural technologies and best farming practices. The region has some of the lowest yields per hectare in the world. In addition, West Africa is already experiencing rising temperatures, rainfall that varies from year to year and increasingly frequent and devastating extreme weather events. The resilience of small producers in the Sahel can be increased through access to better varieties that meet local demand, combined with access to inputs and efficient distribution channels. Indeed, the modernization of varietal selection practices is essential to allow national programs to respond more relevantly to a varietal demand targeted on market needs and to gain efficiency in the development of resilient, productive and good quality varieties, which are nutritional and adapted to their local environment.

Coordinateur : West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD)
Partenaires : Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles du Burkina Faso (INERA) National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger (INRAN) Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA)

Financement principal : Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO)
Budget : 8 771 930 EUR

FNSSA project database