AVISA

Project Overview

The AVISA Project which stands for: “Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa, was launched in February 2019 to work on the broad agenda of modernizing breeding and increasing incomes for smallholders in seven countries of Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda). The crops involved in the project are sorghum, millet (West Africa), finger millet (East Africa) groundnut and Cowpea (West Africa) and common beans (East Africa).

The vision of AVISA will be achieved through five integrated Primary Outcomes (POs):

Primary Outcome 1 (PO1): The rate of genetic gain for performance in mandate crops accelerated to an estimated 1.5% annually. To realize Primary Outcome 1, a series of modernization steps will be undertaken that include structural and management changes, and the adoption of new designs, tools and approaches.

Primary Outcome 2 (PO2): Integrated CGIAR/ NARS Program anchored by an integrated breeding decision and informatics support system. To realize PO2, CGIAR and NARS partners will work collaboratively to establish robust testing networks for each crop.

Primary Outcome 3 (PO3): Legume and cereal crop improvement, seed production and delivery systems aligned for gender – responsiveness and end-user demands and preferences. To realize PO3, sophisticated market, nutrition and gender – informed product profile will be developed to prioritize traits and direct each breeding program.

Primary Outcome 4 (PO4): Increased and equitable rate of varietal turnover. To realize PO4, a robust framework will be put in place for the handover of new varieties from the research system to public and/ or private early generation seed multipliers.

Primary Outcome 5 (PO5): Efficient project management and reporting. To realize PO5, a closely governed team will implement project oversight and direction to actuate result-based management approaches, to assure efficient planning.

Primary Outcomes one and two majorly focus on “Crop Modernization” and mainly breeder-driven. Outcome three will be delivered by socio-economist and gender persons, who will consider market demand and segmentation, bringing to bear the gender responsiveness in the production and products of the crop. Outcome four is Seed Systems, which is aimed at facilitating a successful implementation of the objectives that will translate into higher Varietal turnover, increased use of Certified seeds by farmers, which should translate into increased yields and better life of farmers from increased earnings.

Below are some action photographs of some activities of the project.