The document summarizes the work of AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center in West Africa to promote vegetable cultivation and consumption. Some key points: 1) AVRDC works to address malnutrition through increasing production and consumption of nutritious vegetables. Their work includes breeding improved varieties, sustainable production training, and promoting consumption through nutrition education. 2) Over 60 improved vegetable varieties have been developed and released in West Africa. Training is provided in good agricultural practices and home gardening. 3) A case study highlights the introduction and promotion of 3 new chili varieties in Mali, which increased yields by 47-95% compared to traditional varieties. The new varieties were successfully marketed and generated more income for farmers.

1. Innovative Tools and Approaches for Vegetable Cultivar and Technology Dissemination in West Africa Afari-Sefa Victor, Sokona Dagnoko, Theresa Endres , Sanjeet Kumar, Paul A. Gniffke and Abdou Tenkouano AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center, Regional Center for Africa, Arusha, Tanzania

2. Yet need to address the double burden of malnutrition in Africa Perennial problem Emerging problem Low Emphasis on Agric. Research & Extension on Vegetables in Africa

3. “ Alleviate poverty and malnutrition in the developing world through increased production and consumption of nutritious, health-promoting vegetables” AVRDC’s role http://www.avrdc.org

4. Four R & D Themes Germplasm conservation, evaluation and gene discovery Genetic enhancement, varietal development, selection of indigenous lines, seed production Safe and sustainable vegetable production systems Postharvest management and market opportunities; nutritional security, diet diversification and human health Germplasm Breeding Consumption Production http://www.avrdc.org

5. Participatory Breeding & Varietal Selection Workflow Preliminary breeding Evaluation and selection Farmer Participatory Selection Purification/DUS National performance trials Release/ Commercialization

8. Promotion through National Agricultural Shows

11. Map of Mali Showing Study Action Sites

12. Yield data for 3 New Chili Varieties Promoted in Mali Variety On-farm Average Yield for New Chili Variety FAO Average Yield for Standard chili in Mali % Yield increase AVPP9905 (Nisondia) 7.97 t/ha (5.42 t/ha) 47% AVPP0002 (Bafarima) 9.40 t/ha (5.42 t/ha) 73% AVPP0105 (Nafama) 10.56 t/ha (5.42 t/ha) 95%

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