25 August 2023
A group of SMEs, cooperatives, and seed producers were trained in basic seed production, quality assurance, and business management in the Kasai Oriental Province of DR Congo from 11 to 15 July. The seed business capacity-building workshop organized by the Strengthening the Supply of Improved Seeds and Improved Public-private Partnerships in Central Africa (SISCA) project at the IITA–CGIAR Mbuji Mayi office had representatives from government agencies in attendance.
Speaking at the opening of the training, a representative of the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Jean de Dieu Bajikila Cimanga, appreciated partners supporting the Congolese government in agriculture. Cimanga highlighted the merits of the workshop for actors in the seed sub-sector in relation to the provincial government’s efforts to combat food insecurity.
Agri-multiplier structures led by women, brandishing their certificate of participation.
The workshop covered thematic areas like maize seed production, production and quality assurance of cassava cuttings, and best business practices.
During a presentation on the SISCA project, Seed System Specialist and SISCA Regional Coordinator Pheneas Ntawuruhunga highlighted the core deliverables and impact of the project since its inception.
As part of SISCA’s deliverables, on the one hand, the training is in line with the 2019-2025 action plan on “Gender Mainstreaming at IFAD,” which aims to empower rural women and improve the equality and well-being of rural households and communities. On the other hand, it aligns with IFAD’s 2019-2021 Action Plan for Rural Youth, which considers the needs of young people in terms of opening up business opportunities to young people in the emerging seed sector.
Fabrice Kalala, SISCA Project seed specialist, delivering the module on seed legislation in the DRC.
IITA-SISCA seed expert Fabrice Kalala delivered sessions on the seed sector, its regulatory framework, and the seed lot traceability system.
A maize breeder at INERA Ngandajika, Ir Majambu, gave a presentation on maize seed production, and a seed business consultant, Kimani Kiruthi, presented a detailed session on marketing and management of seed companies and how seed multipliers can make their business successful.
Participants evaluated the training and made recommendations at the end of the workshop. Through their representatives, they committed to passing on the knowledge to their respective communities and putting what they learned into practice.
In his closing speech, Provincial Authority Cimanga commended all the participants and the team of trainers for their active engagement during the workshop.
Jean de Dieu Bajikila, Representative of the Provincial Minister of Agriculture during the opening of the Seed Business workshop.
Appreciating IITA for organizing the workshop, Cimanga called for further collaboration with IITA in mitigating food insecurity in the province.
The SISCA project is an IITA program implemented in Central Africa (Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, and DR Congo) with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Contact Dr Pheneas Ntawuruhunga (p.ntawuruhunga@cgiar.org) and Fabrice Bwanga Kalala (f.kalala@cgiar.org) for further information.
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