USAID Cowpea Project

Taking Cowpeas to Scale in West AfricaStatus 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 YirzaglaJoe Falong, RD –MOFA

Mohammed Abdul-Razak – (SeedPAG NR)

Status of activities outlined in the project documentLeveraging with other projectsChallengesThe way forward

Order of Presentation

ACTIVITY RESPOSIBLE STATUS (seeds supplied/planted (kg)

NR UER UWR

1.1 Mobilize and distribute seeds of improved cowpea varieties

SARI Songotra - 180Apagbaala – 30 455Padi tuya - 200Zayaura - 45

Songotra - 145Apagbaala - 52

197

Padi Tuya - 45Songotra - 45Zayura – 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

ACTIVITY RESPOSIBLE STATUS (seeds supplied/planted (kg)

NR UER UWR

1.1 Mobilize and distribute seeds of improved cowpea varieties

SARI Songotra - 180Apagbaala – 30 455Padi tuya - 200Zayaura - 45

Songotra - 145Apagbaala - 52

197

Padi Tuya - 45Songotra - 45Zayura – 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

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 from80 communities in 20 districts planted

10 acres from 40 communities in 10 districts planted

16 acres from32 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

Community Seed Production – Tolon and Savelugu Districts, NR

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

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

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 20Songotra 60

182 10.4ha6

7200800 10, 4002400

CERTIFIED SEED

SeedPAG

Farmers (CSP)Heritage Seed Co.

Padi tuya – 200Zaayura – 60

1000

20656 182 (72.8)100

6,0001,80016,800 54,60030,000

Quantities of seed available for 2015 and expected Output for 2016

Les méthodes de lutte demandent trop1.Resistant host -cultivars 2.Intercrop

host/non -host

3.Rotationnon -host

4.Organic amendments

5.Weeding

6.Fertiliser7.Deep Sowing

8.DelayedSowing

9.Herbicide -coated

crop seed

10.Herbicides

11.Biologicalcontrol

12.Prevention

IntegratedStrigaManagement

Integrated Striga

Management

1.Resistant host -cultivars 2.Intercrop

host/non -host

3.Rotationnon -host

4.Organic amendments

5.Weeding

6.Fertiliser7.Deep Sowing

8.DelayedSowing

9.Herbicide -coated

crop seed

10.Herbicides

11.Biologicalcontrol

12.Prevention

IntegratedStrigaManagement

Farmer

Farmer -

Farmer

Farmer Farmer

Farmer

Farmer

IntegratedStrigaManagement

Seed CompanyHeritage Seed Company

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS1.4.2 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.

Objective 2. Production Systems and Pest Management

ACTIVITY RESPOpNSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR2.1 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 demonstrations established

40 demos established

32 demos

Monitoring visits planned for confirmation

ACTIVITY RESPOpNSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR2.3.1. 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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR2.3.2 Engage the media (print and electronic) to disseminate information on seeds of improved cowpea varieties and production technologies.

SARIMOFA

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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE STATUS RemarksNR 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

MoFACSIR-SARIFarm 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-SARIMoFA

Review existing Cowpea production guides with documentary from the current field activities - demonstrations

CC to assemble all guides by 31 August, 2015 for review

Objective 3. Improved Storage and Increased Home Consumption of Cowpea

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWRActivity 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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR3.3 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

MoFACSIR-SARI

Profiling the key actors along the cowpea value chain towards enhancing or establishing IPs

Start:18/08/15End: 15/09/15

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR3.3.3 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

MoFACSIR-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, Mediaalong the value chain

Plan to organize food bazar and seed fair to coincide with opening of the PICS bags

Objective 4. Project Management

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL

ESTATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR4.2.1 Organize in-country inception planning meeting with all groups of stakeholders

Organized in Tamale on 3 July 2015 Report submitted to MU, IITA

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL

ESTATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWR4.3.1 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-SARIMoFA

Survey commenced on 22 August - check list

Draft report by expected at end of September 2015

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBL

ESTATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWRActivity 4.5. Set up/enhance Innovation Platforms including women actors to scale out cowpea technologies – one per district

CSIR-SARIMOFA

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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

STATUS REMARKS

NR UER UWRActivity 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

ACTIVITY RESPONSIBLE

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

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

ProjectNorthern 

Upper East 

Upper West 

REMARKS

Africa Rising

1. Savelugu-Nanton

2. 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

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 AfricaYet to meet the project Coordinator in Ghana

Leveraging with other Projects

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?

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.

Thank you for the Attention