Since early 2010, one of the focal points of the WASA Seed Project in Senegal is to strengthen local farmers and entrepreneur’s agribusiness and marketing skills.  WASA places strong emphasis on training local farmers on the best agribusiness and marketing practices through demonstrations and field days across the country.

WASA Seed Project Senegal has launched multiple demo plots displaying improved maize seed, to teach farmers and seed producers the value of using these new enhanced, affordable, seed crops. WASA explains to farmers that the new seeds will increase yields and contribute to the overall growth of agriculture in the country.

In Senegal, the primary staple food for most families is rice. Sara Camara, a smallholder farmer, has chosen to replace rice with the improved maize seed his family cultivated after participating in WASA’s demonstration.

Sara explained, "I have seen that with improved seeds I can significantly increase my maize production. I produce up to 5 tons per hectare, worth over $2,600, which allows me to sell part of the crop and keep the rest for our daily consumption. Previously, with the local seeds, this was unthinkable; I only produced 1.5 to 2 tons per hectare. I was obligated to buy rice for our daily food, which was very expensive. I thank WASA Seed Project Senegal for teaching us about these improved seeds because it will help reduce poverty in our region”.

In addition to improving his family’s food security, Sara has been able to generate $1,500 in new cash income from the improved seeds. WASA’s training activities and demonstrations have taught farmers to understand in order to increase their production; they must adjust to using new agricultural technologies and inputs.