b'A look at seed industry developments around the globe.ties and advocacy for mem- groups concessional windowthree planting density plotsFriday, August 12 to discuss bers locally, regionally, andand a $71 million loan. The normal, high, and superthe response to the driest nationally. The process startedbanks contribution representshighwere established insummer in 50 years and the over a year and a half ago,87.3% of the projects totalthe different regions. Thecontinued action needed. The with members in both associa- cost, estimated at $84.07regions were characterized bygroup discussed the current tions later voting to amalgam- million. The Tanzanian govern- their annual rainfall. The northoutlook and the associated ate their memberships. Thement will provide the balanceregion was semi-arid with anrisks and impacts and agreed new group represents nearlyof $11 million, according to aannual rainfall of 520 mm, theto further collaborative work 720 seed growers acrossrelease by the bank group. central region was semi-aridacross sectors to balance western Canada. The support will help buildwith an annual rainfall of 780water needs and conserve The two organizationsup the supply of enhancedmm, and the south region waswater.have long shared the samewheat, sunflower and ricesub-humid with an annualAt the meeting , the goals and marketing oppor- seeds that are resilient to therainfall of 1175 mm. Environment Agency said tunities, Niemela said. It wasclimate. Funds will also ensureThe result showed thatthat the drought trigger time to make it official andfertilizer is available andhigh-density planting andthreshold had been met to become one organization.affordable and will back poli- top-dressing during flower- move parts of the Southwest, This expansion opens thecies that improve the regula- ing could increase the yieldparts of Southern and Central door for more robust informa- tory environment for the rapidand grain protein content ofEngland, and the East of tion sharing and advocacy foruptake of certified seeds andcowpea in different agroeco- England into Drought.our furthest west, pedigreedfertilizers, added the release. logical zones across differentThe Environment Agency seed producers. regions in Burkina Faso. Underconfirmed Drought status in such approaches, the yieldeight of its 14 areas.STATUS WEST AFRICA significantly increased by asThe triggers used to STATUS TANZANIA Cowpea, one of IITA man- much as 214.5%, with an aver- confirm the move to Drought The board of directors fromdate crops, is an importantage value of 88.9%. Applyingstatus for these areas include the African Developmentsource of protein and liveli- top-dressing when the plantsthe hydrological position Bank Group recentlyhood for many people instarted flowering increased(including rainfall, river flows, announced they will be offer- West Africa. West Africathe seed protein content bygroundwater levels, reservoir ing $73.5 million to back aaccounts for more than 80%up to 24.4%. levels, and the dryness of program made to enhanceof annual world productionThe findings suggestedsoils), as well as the impacts food production in Tanzaniaand Burkina Faso is the thirdthat the cowpea yield can bethese conditions have on by a million tons over threelargest producer of cowpea ineasily improved, even whenpublic water supply, abstrac-years. West Africa. However, cowpeafarmers have no access totors (including farmers) and The Tanzania Agriculturalyields per unit area and itsfertilizer. Even if the cowpeathe environment. This is deter-Inputs Support Project beganseed protein content must beyields for any individual farm- mined by the Environment in September 2022 and willincreased to meet the proteiners do not improve dramati- Agency at a local level, rather run through June 2025. Thedemands. cally, the effects of high- andthan nationally.project, created by the bankResearchers fromsuper high-density plantingIn drought affected areas groups African EmergencyIITA-CGIAR and Institutcould greatly impact nationalthe public and businesses Food Production Facility, setsde lEnvironnement et deor regional production. should be very mindful of the out to address the potentialRecherches Agricoles (INERA)Source: ITTApressures on water resources food crisis worsened by therecently carried out a studyand should use water wisely. war in Ukraine. The goal is toin Burkina Faso to establish aBut while there is an impor-strengthen the countrys abil- simple method for increasingSTATUS UK tant role for individuals to sus-ity to become self-sufficientcowpea yield and the proteinThe National Drought Group,tainably manage their usage, for wheat and edible oil manu- content of seeds. The effectsmade up of senior decisionGovernment expects water facturing by 2030. of top-dressing timing onmakers from the Environmentcompanies to act to reduce The approval includes acowpea yield and the seedAgency, government, waterleakage and fix leaking pipes $2.5 million grant from thenitrogen content were investi- companies and key represent- as quickly as possible and resources of the Africangated to achieve this.ative groups, joined by Watertake wider action alongside Development Fund, the bankDuring the investigation,Minister Steve Double, metgovernment policy. SW34/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEED ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS 2022'