Strategies to Strengthen Senegal’s Seed System for Climate Adaptation
Senegal’s agricultural sector faces increasing challenges from climate change, which threatens food security and smallholder livelihoods. A recent workshop in Thiès underscored the vital role of community-led seed production in improving access to locally adapted seeds and the need for effective seed system policies to build farmers’ climate resilience.
The workshop, "Strengthening Climate Adaptation Strategies in Senegal: The Role of Seed System Policy for Community Seed Production," took place from 4 to 5 September 2024. It was organized by ICRISAT in collaboration with ILRI and ICARDA as part of the AICCRA project and supported by the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA-CERAAS) and the CGIAR initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR).
The event brought together diverse stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, researchers, government officials, private seed companies, and civil society organizations, to explore strategies for enhancing Senegal's seed system as a critical pathway for climate adaptation.
Community-led Seed Production: A Climate-Smart Solution
Dr Baye Maguette, a postdoctoral fellow from the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), led a session on decentralized seed production, emphasizing that empowering farmers to manage their seed resources is essential for adopting climate-smart agriculture.
“Community seed production is central to adopting climate-smart agriculture. It enhances food security and fosters local biodiversity,” stated Dr Maguette.
Twenty-eight participants attended the session, including representatives from farmers' cooperatives and extension agents from the Agence Nationale de Conseil Agricole et Rural (ANCAR). Mr Mamadou Diop, a lead farmer from Nandji village, commended ICRISAT and ISRA-CERAAS for providing adapted millet and groundnut seed and training on modern agricultural practices through the AICCRA initiative.
Training Communities on Seed Management
Dr Ousmane Sy, an ISRA seed production expert, conducted a session on quality seed production techniques with practical demonstrations for crops like millet, sorghum, groundnut, and cowpea. Discussions highlighted the importance of participatory identification and promotion of traditional cultivars to enhance resilience and productivity.
“While community-held seeds demonstrate strong local adaptability, we must address concerns about their lower yields than certified seeds. Training farming communities to manage their genetic resources effectively is crucial,” said Dr Sy.
Participants also stressed the need to formalize "seed storage houses" within farmer organizations and improve traditional storage methods to minimize losses.
Stakeholder Consultation and Policy Development
The workshop also focused on stakeholder consultations to advance Senegal’s seed system. Participants noted a lack of specific policies for local seeds and insufficient training for producers, advocating for improved technical capacities in seed production, conservation, and utilization. The critical role of community-led seed production was highlighted, along with the necessity of supportive seed system policies to bolster Senegal's agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.
The Way Forward
Dr Folorunso Akinseye, Senior Scientist at ICRISAT, stated that the workshop emphasises the significant potential of such approaches to strengthen Senegal's agricultural resilience.
“By empowering farmers and fostering collaborative efforts, Senegal aims to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change and secure a more sustainable food future for its people,” said Dr Akinseye.
Header image: Group photo of workshop participants. Photo: Mr Inoussa Zagre, PhD student, AICCRA project.
This work aligns with SDGs 13 & 17.
Agathe Diama