Legumes innovation platform

The Legumes Innovation Platform has identified their main priority as supporting sustainable systems for seed availability of new and improved varieties of beans, soybeans and groundnuts

The main problem is the availability of the released seed. The legume platform is therefore working towards increasing seed availability through a multiplication programme from Breeder seed to Certified seed of new improved varieties of beans, soybeans and groundnuts bred by National Agricultural Research System NARS and CGIAR institutions (CIAT, ICRISAT & IITA.)

During its first year the programme has worked with The McKnight Foundation through Bunda College of Agriculture (University of Malawi), collaborating in the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) Project where increased production of legumes in a major thrust in the project. It has also worked with USAID on the farmer-to-farmer programme on legumes (they have pledged to support the legumes platform with technical support using Foreign Volunteer staff), which is being implemented by CNFA in Malawi. Platform learning events are being delivered on an ongoing basis.

Multiplication of soybeans, groundnuts and basic bean seeds will use rain-fed irrigation.

Progress
By December 2009 the platform had identified 20 farmers through the Association Of Smallholder Seed Multiplication Action Group (ASSMAG) to participate in multiplying breeder's seed of groundnuts and soybeans under irrigation and basic seed of beans, soybeans and groundnuts.

These farmers underwent a training session by breeders and seed testing unit on processes in seed multiplication.

The Legume Innovation Platform with its private sector partners had produced 5 tonnes of Kholopete and Napilira breeder seed, under irrigation, to be multiplied into basic seed by the selected farmers.

The participating farmers will be supervised by breeders from Chitedze Research Station. This approach to involve farmers in breeder seed production is a major innovation - facilitated by the RIU platform.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security (MoA&FS) has set up a legumes working group which has been influenced by the structure of the RIU legumes platform.

Work plan
The work plan for the legumes platform 2009-2010 includes :

• Contracting twenty ASSMAG farmers in multiplication of breeder and basic seed of beans, soybeans and groundnuts under rain-fed. Overall, 28 tonnes of legume seed will be produced in 2009/10 season. In 2010-2011, 280 tonnes of legume seed will be produced to certified seed which can be accessed by around 7000 farmers each growing about a hectare of legumes.
• Building the capacity of ASSMAG farmers to participate in production of legumes breeder seed. The capacity building will include: training, technical backstopping by breeders and offering inspection services by the Seed services section of Chitedze Research station; and provision of seed and other inputs on loan basis.
• Production of brochures, leaflets and posters for all the legumes under seed multiplication.

RNRSS outputs being tested in Malawi

• Poor Farmers in Uganda boost their income with new groundnut varieties
  Farmers throughout Uganda are using new disease-resistant groundnut varieties - validated in on-farm trials - to overcome a rosette disease, a problem that was seriously limiting their yields. Previously, their only recourse was chemical control, but this was too expensive for poor farmers. To make seed of the new varieties widely available, a farmer-led multiplication plan was developed under the supervision of parish development committees. These committees oversee repayment and redistribution of seed to ensure that women and poor households receive priority. Farmer groups also learned improved groundnut production and seed handling techniques, as well as how to process the groundnuts using a manual grinder. Finally, collective marketing associations are building their links to markets. (CPP03)
• Farmers learn to make the most of seeds
  Good crops start with good seed. A new manual and set of posters are now available to help farmers make the most of seed. Most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa don't buy seed: they save their own or trade with other farmers. But, this arrangement often doesn't work - drought, pests, diseases, civil wars or other troubles mean they just don't have enough good quality seed. Over 1000 smallholder vegetable farmers in Kiambu District, Kenya, learned the best ways of choosing, drying and storing seed by discovering for themselves. Now, government staff in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania use these methods to help extension workers and other farmers make sure they have reliable supplies of healthy seed for vegetables, sorghum, yam, cassava, groundnuts, sweet potato, maize, and beans. (CPP69)