Project description / objective
To support market actors (intervention partners) in strengthening the seed and commodity value chains of small grains (sorghum and millets) and legumes (cowpeas and groundnuts) in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
MASAP expects to reach approximately 94 000 smallholder farmers in the first phase (direct and indirect beneficiaries); 5300 seed producers (direct beneficiaries) through the establishment of seed community-owned enterprises or associations; and to support emerging second tier seed companies with 60% and 40% women and youth participation respectively.
Market system focus
Groundnuts
Groundnut is a source of household income in MASAP target districts Mudzi and Chipata. Zimbabwe has a number of peanut butter making companies currently importing groundnuts from Malawi because of insufficient quality local groundnuts. This presents a huge opportunity to partner with these companies and produce the right varieties and quality from the MASAP targeted districts.
Cowpeas
Cowpea is a drought-tolerant crop and there is a high density of seed producers in selected MASAP target districts. There is also a demand for the crops internally and for export. Recommended crop for geographical areas in agricultural ecological zone (AEZ)1 - high temperatures, rainfall less than 800 mm.
Sorghum
In both countries, the industry for opaque beer provides a viable and steady market for red sorghum, and several companies have production and supply contracts with farmers, therefore ensuring a market for sorghum seed. Companies in the confectionary industry run a similar model - engaging smallholder farmers’ willingness to cooperate and demand creates a “pull effect” driving the market system.
Millet
There are a number of millet processing companies that the project may engage to enhance their capacity to buy, process and market products from small grains to sustain demand for millet. The majority of farmers (57%) use retained seed, providing MASAP the opportunity to improve sector functionality and productivity.
Programme interventions
The programme is currently in it’s inception phase. Intervention descriptions will be added in September 2022
Notable results (systemic change, poverty impact)
Project started less than a year ago and tangible results not yet visible. We will update in due course.
[uploaded June 2022]