The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is pleased to embark on a new initiative as part of the "Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2" (BASICS-II) project, led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

With Nigeria's status as the world's leading producer of cassava, enhancing productivity is of critical importance. The root crop forms an essential part of the diet for rural and urban communities alike, but its potential is hindered by limited access to quality seeds of high-yielding varieties and knowledge on improved agronomic practices including weed control.

Cassava seed entrepreneurs on a farmer's farm

SAA will target these challenges of the cassava production system, especially seed production and management. The initiative comprises the establishment and capacity building of 10 cassava seed producer associations and the development of 100 hectares of commercial seed farms in the North Central states in Nigeria: Benue and Nasarawa. Additionally, we'll train 100 Commercial Seed Entrepreneurs with the 'Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management' toolkit. Furthermore, we're committed to maintaining www.cassavamatters.org, a valuable online resource center. In collaboration with Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) an initiative funded by the African Development Bank, SAA also aims to develop an investment proposal to support Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) in executing a comprehensive cassava seed system.

SAA is dedicated to advancing cassava seed production in Nigeria. This collaborative effort under BASICS-II marks a significant step towards sustainable agricultural practices, improved yields, and strengthened local economies.