The Rise of the Seed-producing Cooperative in Western and Central Africa

In a region where the adoption rate of quality seeds remains remarkably low, it is evident that no local or regional actor involved in the seed industry and capable of delivering quality seeds into the hands of smallholder farmers should be overlooked. This study profiles 54 seed-producing cooperatives that were identified through landscaping studies in 20 countries. Strong examples of seed-producing cooperatives were found in four countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal. The situation in eight other countries – Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo – can be characterized as promising. In four countries – Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Republic of Congo - no seed-producing cooperatives were identified that are formally recognized or may be in the near future.