Cowpea in west africa

1. USAID Cowpea Project
Taking Cowpeas to Scale in West Africa
Status of Project Activities for 2015 Cropping Season
Presentation at the Project End of Year 1 Meeting at IITA Ibadan,
Nigeria on 27-30 August 2015,
IDK Atokple (CC)
Mohammed Haruna (FP – SARI)
Julius Yirzagla
Joe Falong, RD –MOFA
Mohammed Abdul-Razak – (SeedPAG NR)

2. Status of activities outlined in the project document
Leveraging with other projects
Challenges
The way forward
Order of Presentation

3. ACTIVITY RESPOSIBLE STATUS (seeds supplied/planted (kg)
NR UER UWR
1.1 Mobilize and
distribute seeds of
improved cowpea
varieties
SARI Songotra - 180
Apagbaala – 30 455
Padi tuya - 200
Zayaura - 45
Songotra - 145
Apagbaala - 52
197
Padi Tuya - 45
Songotra - 45
Zayura – 90
180
1.2 Engage Research
Institutions and Seed
companies to produce
and make available 9
tons foundation seeds
for certified seed
production
SARI
Heritage Seed
Company
120kg of breeder seeds of Padi tuya,
Zaayura and Songotra. 12 acres (4.8ha)
Padi tuya – 180
Zaayura – 20 20.5acres (8.2ha)
Songotra – 4.5

4. ACTIVITY RESPOSIBLE STATUS (seeds supplied/planted (kg)
NR UER UWR
1.1 Mobilize and
distribute seeds of
improved cowpea
varieties
SARI Songotra - 180
Apagbaala – 30 455
Padi tuya - 200
Zayaura - 45
Songotra - 145
Apagbaala - 52
197
Padi Tuya - 45
Songotra - 45
Zayura – 90
180
1.2 Engage Research
Institutions and Seed
companies to produce
and make available 9
tons foundation seeds
for certified seed
production
SARI
Heritage Seed
Company
120kg of breeder seeds of Padi tuya,
Zaayura and Songotra. 12 acres (4.8ha)
Padi tuya – 180
Zaayura – 20 20.5acres (8.2ha)
Songotra – 4.5

5. ACTIVITY RESPON STATUS Remarks
NR UER UWR
1.3.1 Organize 152
community based
organisations (women
and men) to produce
quality declared seed
to sell in their
communities
MoFA 40 acres from
80 communities
in 20 districts
planted
10 acres from
40 communities
in 10 districts
planted
16 acres from
32 communities
in 8 districts
planted
152 Communities
reached –
number of
farmers involved
is being
compiled
1.3.2 Train female and
male community seed
producers and farmers
(152 CBOs) in quality
declared seed
production (40 tons)
CSIR-
SARI
and
Partners
Training started from land preparation and planting
and will continue along the crop growth stages
Activities are
documented for
the production
of fact sheets

6. Community Seed Production – Tolon and Savelugu Districts, NR

7. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
1.3.3 Organize annual Seed
fairs (one per region) for
large number of seed
companies to sell seeds or
increase awareness on
availability of seeds
MoFA
CSIR-SARI
Inception
Workshop and
seed fair 20
August
Inception
Workshop and
seed fair 16
July
Inception
Workshop
and seed
fair 14
July
Reports
from UER
and UWR
submitted

8. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
1.4.1.Train men, women and
young Seed Technicians
(NARS, Extensions, seed
companies etc.) and out
growers in (CSP) foundation
and certified seeds
production
MoFA,
CSIR-SARI
Training of SeedPAG members scheduled for
September 2015
The training of out-growers continues with
the demonstrations and the community seed
production
SeedPAG
training
essential
to increase
number of
FS Seed
producers

9. TYPE OF SEED SOURCE QUANTITY OF
BASIC/BREEDER SEED
OBTAINED (kg)
AREA CULTIVATED
(acres)
ESTIMATED OUTPUT (kg)
BREEDER
SEED
CSIR-SARI 40kg of all four varieties 4 200
FOUNDATION
SEED
Heritage
seed/GLDB/CSIR-SARI
Padi tuya 180
Zayura 20
Songotra 60
18
2 10.4ha
6
7200
800 10, 400
2400
CERTIFIED
SEED
SeedPAG
Farmers (CSP)
Heritage Seed Co.
Padi tuya – 200
Zaayura – 60
1000
20
6
56 182 (72.8)
100
6,000
1,800
16,800 54,600
30,000
Quantities of seed available for 2015 and expected Output for 2016

10. Les méthodes de lutte demandent trop1.Resistant
host -cultivars
2.Intercrop
host/non -host
3.Rotation
non -host
4.Organic
amendments
5.Weeding
6.Fertiliser
7.Deep
Sowing
8.Delayed
Sowing
9.Herbicide -
coated
crop seed
10.Herbicides
11.Biological
control
12.Prevention
Integrated
Striga
Management
Integrated
Striga
Management
1.Resistant
host -cultivars
2.Intercrop
host/non -host
3.Rotation
non -host
4.Organic
amendments
5.Weeding
6.Fertiliser
7.Deep
Sowing
8.Delayed
Sowing
9.Herbicide -
coated
crop seed
10.Herbicides
11.Biological
control
12.Prevention
Integrated
Striga
Management
Farmer
Farmer
-
Farmer
Farmer
Farmer
Farmer
Farmer
Integrated
Striga
Management
Seed Company
Heritage Seed Company

11. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS
1.4.2 Train women, men and
youth seed producers in Seed
processing (cleaning, sorting,
grading, packaging), storage
and marketing
MoFA
CSIR-SARI
To be conducted during and after harvesting
1.4.3 Train agro-dealers to
market cowpea seed and link
them to cowpea seed producers
MoFA Will take off within the Innovation Platforms
1.4.4 Promote innovative
marketing and sales of small
seed packets (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 5,
10 and 20 kg) to increase
demand and sales of quality
seeds – 40 tons
SeedPAG Plant Protection and Regulatory Services
Directorate (PPRSD) of MOFA produces 2, 5, 20
and 45 kg sizes
SeedPAG is discussing with PPRSD to produce 0.5
and 1 kg size packaging materials to cater for all
categories of farmers.

12. Objective 2. Production Systems and Pest Management

13. ACTIVITY RESPOp
NSIBLE
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
2.1 Promote management practices
that narrow current yield gaps
(Training (ToT) in GAPS – 150 AEAs
and 11 Seed company staff
SARI AEAs have been taken through
the protocols for GAPs, and IPM
which are being implemented
through the demonstrations with
the farmers
The post-harvest
management
commences at
harvest
2.2 Establish Best Practice through
training and field action (showcase
best varieties and agronomic
practices) – 165 demonstrations
MOFA 80
demonstrati
ons
established
40 demos
established
32
demos
Monitoring visits
planned for
confirmation

14. ACTIVITY RESPOp
NSIBLE
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
2.3.1. Organize farmers' exchange
visit to popularize and expose large
numbers of stakeholders to
improved cowpea production
technologies – one field day in each
district
MOFA To be organized at the podding
stage of the crops – more
appreciative by farmers
Itinerary to be
submitted by
MOFA at the end
August 2015

15. ACTIVITY RESPON
SIBLE
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
2.3.2 Engage the media (print and
electronic) to disseminate information on
seeds of improved cowpea varieties and
production technologies.
SARI
MOFA
The engagement with media
started with the
implementation/inception
workshops across the
regions and will continue
Initiated a collaboration with
Farm Radio International
and Ghana Broadcasting
Corporation.
Need to follow up
on
• Farm listeners’
clubs around
the Commodity
• Radio sets for
Listeners Club

16. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS Remarks
NR UER UWR
2.6. Promoting Best Practice IPM options
2.6.1. Use ICT tools to
promote HQS of improved
cowpea and complementary
production practices – 20,000
farmers reached
MoFA
CSIR-SARI
Farm Radio Int.
Profiling of key actors e.g. farmers
and seed growers ongoing
(Names, contacts and locations)
Data to be
ready by the
end of
September
2015
2.6.2. Update, Print and
distribute cowpea production
guides and flyers (English
and local languages) to men,
women and youth
entrepreneurs – 20,000 PGs
CSIR-SARI
MoFA
Review existing Cowpea
production guides with
documentary from the current field
activities - demonstrations
CC to
assemble all
guides by 31
August, 2015
for review

17. Objective 3. Improved Storage and Increased Home
Consumption of Cowpea

18. ACTIVITY RESPONSIB
LE
STATUS REMARKS
3.1. Training in
improved cowpea
storage.
SARI
MOFA
ToT of PICS bags was conducted in
Tamale on 21 August by resource
persons from PICS project
Two representatives each from SARI,
MOFA, SeedPAG and media among
others participated.
These trainees will
also train the AEAs,
farmers and Seed
producers,
processors, marketers
etc from harvesting.
Dr. Tahirou Abdoulaye, Prof. Joan Fulton Dr. Mumuni Abudulai Mr. Onu Anyebe

19. ACTIVITY RESPONSIB
LE
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
Activity 3.2. Awareness of improved cowpea storage
3.2.1 Promote safe
storage of cowpea
to reduce insect
infestation – radio
jingles, radio
discussions
MOFA Media participated in the PICS bag
training in Tamale – 21/08/15
Initiated a collaboration with Farm
Radio International and the Ghana
Broadcasting Corporations in the
various regions
Plan to develop
strategies on topical
issues

20. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
3.3 Increasing Home Consumption of Cowpea
3.3.1 Sensitise
households on nutritional
and health benefits of
cowpea consumption
SARI/
MOFA
The nutrition and
socio-economic team
preparing to visit communities
in collaboration of WIAD,
MOFA
3.3.2 Facilitate linkage
between cowpea farmers
and grain buyers and
processors
MoFA
CSIR-SARI
Profiling the key actors along
the cowpea value chain
towards enhancing or
establishing IPs
Start:18/08/15
End: 15/09/15

21. ACTIVITY RESPO
NSIBLE
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
3.3.3 Sensitize
policymakers and schools
on feeding programs
related to nutritional and
health benefits of cowpea
consumption and
advocate for inclusion of
more cowpea in the
feeding programs
MoFA
CSIR-
SARI
The Regional ministers,
Regional Coordinating
Directors, DCEs attended the
inception workshop.
Plan to invite policy makers
to Field days.
Meet with the Regional GES
for schools benefiting from
the program and the Senior
High School.
3.3.4. Promote diverse
cowpea-based products-
one cowpea day per
region
CSIR-
SARI,
MOFA
A post-harvest activity to
target School feeding
program, Matrons,
Policy makers, Media
along the value chain
Plan to organize food bazar
and seed fair to coincide
with opening of the PICS
bags

22. Objective 4. Project Management

23. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
4.2.1 Organize in-country
inception planning meeting with
all groups of stakeholders
Organized in Tamale on 3 July 2015 Report
submitted to
MU, IITA

24. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
4.3.1 Assess existing baseline
information related to Feed the
Future indicators that have been
chosen
SARI Ongoing
4.3.2 Fill the gap between
existing baseline information
and Feed the Future indicators
chosen
SARI Survey ongoing Draft report
expected at
the end of
September
2015
Activity 4.4. Conduct
Stakeholder analysis and data
disaggregated by gender (men,
women and youth) -SWOT
Analysis
CSIR-SARI
MoFA
Survey commenced on 22 August -
check list
Draft report
by expected
at end of
September
2015

25. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
Activity 4.5. Set up/enhance
Innovation Platforms including
women actors to scale out
cowpea technologies – one per
district
CSIR-SARI
MOFA
IP specialists from IITA, Benin had
interacted with AEAs (NR) and
representatives of some farmer groups.
Inventory of existing IPs taken across
the 3 regions by the socio-economic
group
The team will
come to
assist in the
IP
establishment

26. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
NR UER UWR
Activity 4.6. Implement Project
Monitoring and Evaluation
(M&E).
CSIR-SARI The M&E format is being finalized
by MU, IITA
4.6.2. Monitor platform
functioning in each district
(effectiveness criteria include
gender mainstreaming with
access to market opportunities)
CSIR-SARI To begin with the establishment of
the IPs
Need to collect
data (quantitative
and qualitative) -
success or change
stories of the
members of the
IPs

27. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL
E
STATUS REMARKS
4.6.3. Monitor project
milestones with Participatory
M&E and link to FtF result
based management
framework
Country
Coordinator
The M&E format is being finalized
by MU, IITA
4.6.4 Share lessons and
success of the project
among Stakeholders and
with wider audience
Country
Coordinator
Planned for December 2015 during the cowpea day
4.6.5. Report technical and
financial performance of the
project to Management Unit
and stakeholders
Country
Coordinator
Report of inception planning
meeting in Tamale submitted to
MU.
Other reports will
follow as
scheduled

28. ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS REMARKS
4.6.6. Organize
annual in-country
review and
planning meeting
Country
Coordinator
Will be held between Dec 2015 -
Jan 2016
Form Regional
monitoring teams
MoFA The teams comprise
representative of MOFA, SARI,
SeedPAG, and CC
MOFA to draw
Itinerary and inform
the CC end of August
2015

29. Project
Northern Upper East Upper West REMARKS
Africa
Rising
1. Savelugu-
Nanton
1. Tolon
3. Bongo
4. Kassena-
Nankana
Muni.
5. Wa West
6. Nadowli
• Have 5 IPs each at the
community levels and one
District IP
• This project will work
through those IPs in the 5
common districts.
Leveraging with other Projects

30. Project Area of Collaboration
TL 111
• The Cowpea Up-scaling Project provided 630kg of
Foundation Seed of Padi tuya for its out-growers.
• The activities of those farmers/seed growers will be
monitored and the results shared
PICS Project
• Training of AEAs and key actors (seed producers, farmers,
marketers, processors) along the cowpea value chain
N2 Africa
Yet to meet the project Coordinator in Ghana
Leveraging with other Projects

31. Challenges Suggested Solutions
Project take-off was late – rush in
entering the communities
Too late – should not repeated in 2yr
Inadequate MOFA staff to execute the
activities effectively at the community
levels
Can the project play an advocacy role in
persuading the Government to engage
the Agricultural College graduates –
policy briefs
Delay in delivering the project vehicle
to the project has restricted movement
of the Coordinating unit and execution
other activities.
The CC currently uses his OLD private
vehicle.
The CC humbly requests the MU to
expedite actions on acquiring the
vehicle
3. The budget seems inadequate for the
set targets or milestones
Is there a possibility of upward review?

32. THE WAY FORWARD
1. Intensify the enhancement /establishment of the IPs in the participating districts
• Every activity should emanate from the IPs for sustainability
• Will enhance the adoption of the technologies
2. Most activities of the first year will be repeated with some modifications
3. Intensify the leverage with other projects (ADVANCE, SPRING …) for greater
impact.

33. Thank you for the Attention