Early this year, the Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA-II) project, phase two, signed a sub-agreement with IITA GoSeed to ensure the sustainable supply of Early Generation Seed (EGS)/ planting materials of improved yam varieties even after the life of the project.

The YIIFSWA-II project grant was awarded to IITA in late 2016 to establish a formal seed system for the sustainable supply of quality EGS for the commercial production of certified seed yam to supply farmers. The project began in 2017 and will be ending on the 31st of December 2021.

While the project is working externally to strengthen the capacity of the Private Seed companies in utilizing the High Ratio Propagation Technologies (HRPTS) for seed yam production, it is also working internally with IITA GoSeed to ensure the sustainable supply of EGS of improved yam varieties after the project closes.

“As the YIIFSWA-II project prepares to exit the scene, the fundamental strategy for sustainability of project activities on formal seed system development, mainly the production of EGS of improved varieties, is to turn over the responsibility to IITA GoSeed.” Dr. Norbert Maroya, YIIFSWA-II Project Leader, explained.

And according to Dr. Morufat Balogun, YIIFSWA-II Tissue Culture Specialist, ” to ensure a successful transfer of duties, IITA GoSeed staff will undergo a year-round training on the utilization of the HRPTs for EGS/ planting materials production of improved yam varieties. The production of EGS/planting is crucial for the survival and sustainability of the seed system.”