Alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa (ASIWA)

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1 PSAO/WASP Alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa (ASIWA) BRIEF NOTE Novembre, 2014

2 1. Background of seed industry in West Africa The West African seed industry is facing heavy challenges of production, distribution and widespread use of certified seed in the region. These challenges can be summarized into the following points: Gap between the production and supply of quality-seeds. For decades, the limited availability and the perceived high cost of certified seed prevented the adoption by farmers of adapted varieties of certified seeds. A political environment unfavorable to the development of the seed industry - Several constraints related to policy hamper the availability of improved seeds and generally prevent the development of the seed sector throughout Africa Underdeveloped seed markets - West African seed markets and products markets they serve are generally too small and fragmented to attract the level of investment and commercial seed companies that have enabled the development of the seed sector in East and South Africa The Alliance for Seed Industry in West Africa, abridged (ASIWA) aims the involvement of a wide range of key stakeholders and enhance the purpose of seed production and distribution in the ECOWAS region. The Alliance is a framework for dialogue between national policy makers, regional trade groups, farmers' organizations and seed companies in the national and multinational private sector. It aims to establish an inclusive and effective partnership amongst a variety of actors in the production, distribution and use of seeds and those of the affiliated industries / sectors. Such partnership also aims to complement and strengthen the initiatives currently underway. The Alliance will work to effectively harness the motivations, resources and ideas from partners involved in the development of the seed sector in West Africa to improve agricultural productivity 2. Overview of ASIWA A) ASIWA Vision Building a Sustainable, inclusive, effective platform to advocate and act upon key national and regional issues in seed sector development to expand production, supply and use of quality seed in West Africa B) ASIWA Rationale It is based on shared values amongst private and public actors of the seed sector to increase production and use of certified seed by producers to increase agricultural productivity, incomes and food security in West Africa west. The achievement of this will require the following actions: Encourage and support partnerships between public and private actors of the seed sector in West Africa Integrate private sector into efforts undertaken by public authorities for seed development Create synergies between existing programs supporting seed industry within ECOWAS area Support investment (public & private) in the production and distribution of seeds Establish and strengthen the confidence of producers in certified seed

3 Coordinate stakeholders efforts to expand and consolidate the regional market of seeds C) ASIWA s Functions 1. Creation of a convening Point and shared value amongst seed private and publics stakeholders and development partners ASIWA will be a point of engagement and mobilization of public and private actors in the development of the seed sector and that through the consultations, coordination actions / initiatives and collaboration / cooperation to address constraints in the sector; ASIWA will also be a platform to promote synergies between national and regional seed development initiatives ; ASIWA be lever to increase the involvement of the private sector in efforts for the development of the seed sector 2. Platform for Communication and Exchange of good practices ASIWA will serve as a platform to exchange and dissemination of ideas, experiences and good practices in the seed sector development in West Africa, this will be effective through the creation of a community of practice. In addition, analyzes will be conducted and seed development support activities will be better coordinated 3. Tool for Policy Advocacy ASIWA will coordinate Advocacy to governments in West Africa to accelerate the harmonization of regional policies and facilitate cross-border trade of seed through the free movement of seeds. It is expected to strengthen the involvement of the private seed sector in policy dialogues at the regional level 4. Management of seed quality ASIWA should serve as a circle for the coordination and support to efforts for seed quality improvement in the Community area. It will have to work to build trust in seeds produced and distributed by the actors of the seed sector. In this context, it will contribute to the establishment and functioning of a seed quality control platform including self-monitoring by the private sector. 5. Market Facilitation/ Development of Seed Industry Through ASIWA, technical solutions for facilitating access to credit and market will be developed. This will involve multiple partners. It will also serve as an incubator for local businesses involving producer associations and private distribution entities and work to facilitate public and private investment in the seed sector. Seed Users, End Buyers ASIWA Regional and National Platforms Seed Trade Development Community Science and Research Government/Regulatory

4 ASIWA: Sharing Value and partnership opportunities Regional partnerships as ASIWA represent an opportunity to achieve greater development impact by leveraging resources, ideas, technologies and the combined forces of several stakeholders with a common interest in achieving a major objective which is the development of production and use of certified seeds in West Africa. These partnerships can succeed if the interests of the private and public development objectives meet - when there is a "value" clearly shared or a joint ownership of objectives by partners and that provides a motivation for active engagement. In building alliances, experience has shown that many successful alliances include, among others, market-based approaches that respond simultaneously to profitability objectives of private sector and public development objectives jointly defined while being co-elaborated, co-financed and co-managed by the partners to share risks, responsibilities and fruits of the partnership. Successful alliances also consider each partner as bringing a unique resource to meet a common challenge in a more important manner, better and / or faster than would have done each individual partner. Private Interests Farmers Seed Companies Agro-Dealers International Seed Companies Grain Buyers NSTAs Shared Value = Partnership Opportunity NARS/NARIs Universities and Research ECOWAS/EUMOA Development Goals Regional Organizations International Research Orgs MoA/Public Agencies Private Sector Organizations Donors D) ASIWA Strategic principals Three key principles should govern the direction and mode of operation of ASIWA 1. Private sector Orientation Efforts will be directed towards increasing the role of private sector in all aspects of seed sector development. ASIWA demonstrate the added value to attract a critical mass of private sector partners private sector "Champions" identified will be encouraged to get involved and play larger role in the ASIWA direction and management

5 2. Liaison with users of seeds and grains ASIWA will explore means to aggregate market demand for quality seeds (and higher yields) through engagement with farmers, farmer federations, and larger output buyers Focus on issues that impact stakeholders across various seed and grain markets 3. Focus on the 4 C s of convening Connecting partners / stakeholders to other initiatives in the seed sector Communications needed to build awareness across stakeholders Coordination to capture synergies and optimize programming Collaboration to develop solutions requiring multiple partners E) Proposed structure for ASIWA ASIWA structure includes the regional, "umbrella" platform, national platforms (national affiliates) and thematic working groups. 1. Regional Apex Platform For this purpose, ASIWA will serve as (i) communications hub in the sharing of knowledge and lessons learned from the implementation of projects / programs, (ii) creation of centres of synergies and communities of practice, (iii) point of convergence for regional dialogue and advocacy, and also (iv) platform to coordinate activities with and for national networks and working groups on specific themes. Organizationally, the regional platform will have its members and partners across West Africa. A steering committee comprising representatives of the national committees, major end market actors and representatives of public sector will be set up and with which the umbrella platform will report. It will be managed daily by a small management unit including: o o a Director, with a business management profile and oriented on results-based management. He shall be able to build cross-border partnerships a WASIX coordinator who should be experienced in communications strategy, networking and knowledge sharing 2. National committees or affiliated Alliances They will be used in countries such as: ASIWA support base for the implementation of decisions taken at the regional level but also as a source of information to bring to regional concerns, constraints and achievements of the country inclusive platform for all public and private stakeholders to exchange and advocacy on seed policies (including the implementation of the regional harmonization device) of the quality and seed certification in connection with the national dismemberment of the West African Seed Committee (COASem) and other national issues relating to seeds

6 Mechanism for the facilitation of market and the development of the national seed industry, strengthening relations with the links in the seed value chain and the relationship between the seed sector (production and distribution especially) and agricultural research. Base promoting the involvement of the private sector (production companies, distribution companies and agro dealers, seed users, seed buyers and financial partners), government agencies and agricultural research Leadership at the national level will be determined by the stakeholders themselves 3. The working groups The initiative based on working groups has the advantage of: strengthening interactions between the interests of the public sector, private sector, technical partners and donors around specific challenges and seed sector development opportunities developing its own initiative and approach for the development of partners and local funding. The working groups will involve and be led by partners with a broad interest or a clear contribution to the achievement of results and will be coordinated by the ASIWA regional unit The Working Group is not a new board of directors but focuses on the sharing of stakeholders to address jointly the problems. Led by actors with great interest and a clear contribution to the objectives set, coordinated by the Regional Management Team At the beginning working groups will focus on the following points: The information platform (WASIX): Location information and analysis relating to the development of the seed sector. It will structure the community of practice to facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices amongst stakeholders and capitalize and disseminate information on supply and demand for different seed markets. The group for analysis of the seed market will draw lessons learned, best practices, etc. Group "Regional seed quality". This group will give the opportunity to complete certification efforts conducted under the COASem. The advisory group will make long-term efforts to strengthen the role of the private sector in seed certification. Group "Regional harmonization of seed / marketing group": This group will serve as a venue for engaging the private sector in policy harmonization efforts at the regional level with a focus on improving private sector involvement in the dialogue. This group will be the Observatory for the implementation of harmonization at the national level and identify gaps and nonconformities in order to propose solutions for improved implementation. Market Facilitation Group solution for Investments. This working group will facilitate relations to create technical, financial and commercial solutions. It will establish a mechanism that will allow to increase the role of private sector in production / supply of quality seed Some examples of activities of this group include: Solution for credit to producers and emerging companies; Technical assistance to the development of new enterprises including producers Organisations (incubator)

7 Working with other input suppliers to provide overall technical package to producers Integrating ICT in the distribution of seeds Place for private sector engagement in efforts to harmonize policies at regional level with a focus on improving the involvement of private sector in dialogue Observatory of the implementation of harmonization at national level and identification of gaps, non-conformities in order to propose solutions for improved implementation. ASIWA Organogram Hub Rural/WASP/ ECOWAS Operational Oversight ASIWA Regional Platform (ASIWA Director) Regional Seed Quality Initiative (Regional Seed Quality Coordinator) ASIWA Steering Committee Strategic Oversight West Africa Seed Information Exchange: WASIX (WASIX Coordinator) Market Facilitation and Investment Solutions (Market Facilitation and Investment Coordinator) Regional Seed Harmonization/Trade Group (Regional Seed Harmonization/Trade Coordinator) National Affiliate (Country Rep) National Affiliate (Country Rep) National Affiliate (Country Rep) National Affiliate (Country Rep) ANNEXES

8 Membership of ASIWA, their interests in conformity with those of the ASIWA platform Stakeholders categories Scientific Research institutes Motivations/interest Potential ASIWA interest Possible working groups improving the profile and credibility as a national research institutes Strengthen internal capacity for the development and production of parent seed and basic seed. Share knowledge, experience and research products with stakeholders. Engage in quality and seed certification initiatives. Access support for capacity building and transfer of knowledge and technologies Improving the interface between seed companies - seed users etc. to better understand and respond to the market demand WASIX Seed quality and certification regional Initiative Companies/produ cers Organisations and their national networks / ANCS Market growth through increased production and sale of better quality seeds. Increase the capacity to develop markets through regional seed exportations and the production and sale of new seed varieties. Access the technical and financial assistance necessary for investments and growth Work with stakeholders to improve the credibility of the seed sector and farmers' confidence in commercial seed Work with stakeholders to increase the demand of farmers and their ability to (through credit solutions and technical solutions). Exploit market facilitation activities and industrial development to access the BDS Facilitation of markets development Initiative on quality and certification of regional seed Harmonization and marketing of regional seed WASIX International seed companies Growth of improved quality seed in West Africa. Improved opportunities to settle and exporting basic and multiply seeds throughout West Africa. Use ASIWA to advocate for the adoption / implementation of harmonized regional policies on seeds. Use the platform to build relationships with local stakeholders. Harmonization and regional trade seeds. Facilitation of markets development Collaborate with local actors in the development and distribution of varieties well adapted to the regional market. Increase farmers demand and their ability to (through technical solutions and credit solutions) to buy improved hybrid seeds / of OPVS. WASIX

9 Seed distributors National agricultural Agencies (public sector) Development partners, intergovernmental organizations and international Organisations Develop sales of inputs to farmers improve the credibility of the seed sector and build farmers' confidence in the seed sector. Work to increase demand for / ability to buy improved seeds Ensure that farmers have access to necessary productive seeds. Ensure that commercial seed products are real, reliable and healthy. Supporting food security and livelihoods of farmers at national and regional levels through the use of improved seeds to increase agricultural productivity Maximize the potential impact through the effective use of development resources Share knowledge, experience and research findings with stakeholders. Harness donor resources and private resources to improve the production and supply of quality seeds. Share knowledge and experience with stakeholders. Use the platform to coordinate ASIWA seed development efforts. Harness the involvement of the private sector to develop solutions for the promotion of seeds with high impact. Facilitation of markets and industry development. Quality and certification of regional seed WASIX Quality and Certification Regional Seeds Alignment of Trade Regional and Seeds All working groups Seeds users Buyers of final products Improve production and incomes per hectare through productivity / returns. Minimize the risk in terms of production and the market, including the risk of buying low quality / counterfeit seeds. Gaining access to a greater variety of seeds and competitive seed markets. Improving market share and profitability through increased production. Secure sources of reliable and solid raw materials preferably through the purchase contracts. Reduce the risk on the currency and policies by developing local market for procurement of grains. Harness the ASIWA platform to defend the initiatives and policies that ensure the quality of seed availability and protection against the use of poor quality or counterfeit seeds. Work with stakeholders to develop credit solutions that allow them to purchase high quality seed and improve extension services. Leverage the ASIWA platform to push the seed actors of the public and private sector to take the steps necessary to improve harvesting / production levels Work with stakeholders to develop credit, commercial and technical solutions for supply services inputs and extension services that strengthen supply chains Quality and Certification of regional seeds Facilitation of markets development. Facilitation of markets development WASIX

10 Supply of financial services Other inputs suppliers Increase market share by developing new sectors and new customers while managing risk. Higher rates of return on capital through investments in sectors with high potential / high growth such as agriculture. Expand market share through new market channels, financing solutions and development of input packages that provide seeds, fertilizers and crop protection products. Increase demand for high-quality inputs. Collaborate to develop credit solutions for seed companies (for working capital and investments) and end users (for the purchase of inputs) Work with governments and development partners to develop improvement programs / credit guarantee to support the financing of agriculture and seed sector. Work with stakeholders to strengthen the confidence of farmers in the supply of quality inputs. Work with stakeholders to develop credit solutions that facilitate purchase of quality seeds and improve access to extension services. Facilitation of markets development WASIX Facilitation of markets development WASIX

11 ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ASIWA Mobilization Nov. Dec. Jan.15 Feb15 Mars15 Apr15 May15. jun July Aug. Setting-up ASIWA initial technical secretariat Appointment of ASIWA monitoring committee Recruitment of ASIWA Team Development of funding proposal for USAID Involvement of Partners National workshops engagement of national partners Kick-off meeting Report of partners engagement WASIX Virtual Platform ASIWA communication strategy Development of the WASIX information platform Launching and advertising of WASIX platform Formation of the Alliance and launching ceremony Development/adoption of the draft internal regulation (charter) Selection of the advisory / steering committee Elaboration of the regional and national operational plans First meeting of the steering committee operationalisation of thematic working groups

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