The Cassava component of the project focuses on improving the cassava seed system in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Rwanda through technological, marketing, and institutional innovations. Here are the key points:

 

Vision:

 

The vision is to address the challenges in the cassava seed system, which currently hampers access to improved varieties, leading to low cassava yields in Africa compared to other regions. The goal is to strengthen the cassava seed system, ensuring seed entrepreneurs have access to cost-efficient propagation technologies, innovative marketing strategies, and improved institutional arrangements.

 

Cassava Technological Innovation:

• Research will focus on multiplying Early Generation Seeds (EGS) more efficiently and investigate the effects of plant nutrition and field management practices on the profitability of EGS.
• Experiments will be conducted to determine the benefits of different ratooning strategies and examine storage and handling options for plantlets.
• Research will explore the influence of cassava plant architecture on various aspects of seed production, harvesting, packaging, and sale.
• The feasibility of using synthetic seeds for cassava in Africa will be assessed through a review of the technology and essential studies.

Cassava Marketing Innovation:

• Models will be established to quantify the uptake and use of improved cassava seed and assess farmers’ willingness to pay.
• Research will delve into the drivers of changing varietal preferences among consumers and explore effective marketing channels and digital tools.
• Capacity development approaches for cassava seed entrepreneurs will be researched to enhance their skills in crop management, business development, and marketing.

Cassava Institutional Innovation:

• The project will investigate sustainable models for public and private sector partnerships in EGS seed production, considering spin-off companies from public research institutions and independent companies.
• The sustainability of associations supporting seed producers will be assessed, and guidelines for service provision will be published.
• Cost-effective and decentralized seed quality management approaches, including the use of the Seed Tracker platform, will be identified and evaluated.
• Advocacy strategies for clean seed policies and regulatory best practices will be established, along with gender-sensitive approaches to seed business entrepreneurship opportunities.

Cassava Theory of Change:

• The theory of change is based on the premise that innovations in the cassava seed system must offer clear advantages over informal seed production methods in terms of yields generated.
• Innovations need to be simplified for ease of adoption, effectively promoted, and marketed to end-users.
• Institutional reforms, including government support through legislation and funding, are crucial for the sustainability of the seed system.

It aims to enhance the cassava seed system in the target countries by addressing technological, marketing, and institutional gaps. The ultimate goal is to increase the volume of cassava seed delivery, accelerate varietal turnover, and improve productivity and income for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.