Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System for Nigeria (BASICS) was a 4-year multi-partner project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with Roots Tuber Banana (RTB) of International Potato Centre (CIP) as principal recipient. The 2nd phase of the project named Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) is being implemented both in Nigeria and Tanzania from June 2020 to May 2025 and led by IITA.
About BASICS-II
The BASICS project commenced on 5th November 2015 and ended in May 2020. The project which comprised of five different components: breeder seed, village seed entrepreneur model, processor associated model, quality seed component, and project coordination and M&E was implemented in Nigeria by CIP, CRS, Context Global Development, Fera IITA, NASC and NRCRI.
CRS implemented the Village Seed Entrepreneur component of the project with 136 seed entrepreneurs engaged across 17 local government areas in Benue State while NRCRI engaged 50 seed entrepreneurs across Abia , Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo States. Over the life of BASICS Project, Village Seed Entrepreneurs (VSEs) mentored by CRS planted over 370 hectares of cassava seed farms and sold more than 36 thousand bundles of certified stems.
The success of the BASICS project led to approval of additional grant to IITA to lead a phase 2 of the project named The Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II). BASICS-II is a combination of BASICS project in Nigeria and BEST Cassava project in Tanzania. The project comprises of six components namely Integrated Breeding & Seed System Activities; Early Generation Seed Enterprises; Commercial Seed Entrepreneurs; Processor-Associated Seed System Model; Quality Control & Disease Management; and Catalyze Scaling & Replication through partners. CRS leads the implementation of component 3 (Commercial Seed Entrepreneurs) in Nigeria while NRCRI is co-lead. The component is operational in Benue, Kogi, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Imo States with possibility of extension to other states.
Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II)
The success of the BASICS project led to provision of additional grant to IITA to lead a phase 2 of the project named The Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II). BASICS-II is a combination of BASICS project in Nigeria and BEST Cassava project in Tanzania. The project comprises of six components namely Integrated Breeding & Seed System Activities; Early Generation Seed Enterprises; Commercial Seed Entrepreneurs; Processor-Associated Seed System Model; Quality Control & Disease Management; and Catalyze Scaling…
Our Partners
The partners in the project include, Root, Tuber and Banana (RTB), International institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Context Network (US), Fera (UK) and CRS.
Seed Multiplication
Multiplication of breeders seed is advanced by Semi Autotrophic Hydroponic (SAH) technology. The SAH technology rapidly increases the multiplication rate of the vegetative crops in which it is used, specifically, irish potato and cassava in a cost-effective way.
Training of VSE's
VSEs will be trained on basic agronomic and business management practices of cassava production to enable them to establish and manage their fields effectively. After the initial training of VSEs, CRS will provide mentoring and technical support, in collaboration with local partners based in Benue.
