The Integrated Seed Sector Development in the Sahel (ISSD-Sahel) Project is a four-year project (2020-2024) in Mali and Niger funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. SSD/Sahel operates under a consortium of four organizations: the International fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA).

The project aims to contribute to food and nutrition security in the region, increase smallholder farmers’ income, instill a business mindset in the seed sector, and create jobs for youth and women.

On 18 May, 2021, the project’s inception workshop for the SAA component was held. Representatives of the consortium members, a delegation of Niger seed actors from public and private sectors, and farmer’s organizations came to Bamako to attend the workshop physically. Other seed actors of Niger joined virtually.

[Project Overview]

1. Project Name
 Integrated Seed Sector Development in the Sahel (ISSD-Sahel)

2.Donor
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN)

3. Consortium Members
・International fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) – Leading organization
・Royal Tropical Institute (KIT)
・International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 
・Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)

4.Target Area
The project is open to all regions of Mali and Niger. The technical launching workshop provided insights to the priority crops and intervention areas which will be refined during a baseline survey currently ongoing in the two countries.

5.Project Period
November 15, 2020 to October 31, 2024 (4 years)

6.Project BudgetTotal budget
Total budget: €11,000,000 for 4 years
SAA budget: €3.281.760 for 4 years 

7. Project expected outcomes
・Increased production and utilization of quality seed of the targeted crops　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
・Accelerated development of the quality seed market of the targeted crops　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
・Increased Marketing by producer organizations and the private seed sector　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
・Enhanced balance between profitability for producers and affordable prices for consumers and processors through the promotion of quality seed and good agronomic practices
・Increased involvement and employability of women and youth in seed value chain

8.Targeted Beneficiaries
・180 000 farming households in Mali and Niger (90,000 households, respectively)
・600 seed entrepreneurs in Mali and Niger (300 seed entrepreneurs, respectively)

For more information on the project: Integrated Seed Sector Development in the Sahel (ISSD/Sahel) - IFDC