Burkina scales up dissemination of IITA-improved cowpea varieties under WAAP

Burkina Faso has begun the multiplication and dissemination of IITA-improved cowpea varieties that were released/ registered in January in that country.

The two varieties, IT99K-573-2-1 (Yiisyande) and IT98K-205-8 (Niizwe), were developed by IITA, and had undergone participatory varietal selection with farmers in the central and northern region of Burkina Faso, thanks to funds from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) under the Appropriate Varieties of Early maturing Cowpea for Burkina Faso (AVEC-BF) project.

Burkina Faso is now promoting one of the varieties, IT99K-573-2-1, under the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAP)/ Programme de Productivite Agricole en Afrique de l’Ouest (PPAAO).

Dr Ishikawa talks about new cowpea varieties

The WAAPP is a World Bank project designed with the main objective of improving agricultural productivity while promoting regional integration as instruments for promoting shared growth and poverty reduction in West Africa.

The approach adopted for the WAAP project is based partly on the integration and harmonization of national agricultural policies and secondly, the establishment of close links between research, extension, producers and private operators.

Dr Haruki Ishikawa, IITA Project Coordinator AVEC-BF project said that he felt honored that  part of the project results were quickly taken up by the government and being used for the benefits of small scale farmers.

“The results  of the activities of the AVEC BF project were often reported by Burkina Faso’s television, radio stations, and newspapers. I expected prompt dissemination of our results. Thanks to Dr Issa Drabo, Cowpea Breeder with INERA, for his cooperation during the project.’’

To develop large-scale dissemination system, the second phase of the AVEC-BF project has already started.