Central African Republic

Seed sector in the Central African Republic

The Central African Republic has experienced unprecedented politico-military unrest over the past decade, which has caused significant damage to agricultural production. As a result, these circumstances have severely affected the seed stations of the Central African Institute for Agronomic Research (ICRA), the country’s main agricultural research agency. Starting in 2014, ICRA resumed activity with support from Welthungerhilfe and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its three stations in Boukoko, Bole and Poumbaïdi.

Currently, four public agricultural agencies are operational. In addition to ICRA, the Central African Agency for Agricultural Development, the National Seed Office and agricultural services at the central and prefectures or sub-prefectures are all responsible for agricultural monitoring and supervision.

The reconstitution of the national seed supply is only carried out through introductions and imports from abroad. Non-governmental organizations and government institutions dominate the seed landscape. Apart from East-West Seed, there are no larger (multinational) private seed companies. Vegetable seeds are imported by NGOs, international organizations and donors (FAO) and then distributed to farmers.

ICRA is the primary public institution for the production and propagation of plant material. It explores, introduces, characterizes and evaluates food crops and also provides varietal creation and the production of pre-basic and basic seed under contract with specialized producers. Besides ICRA projects, NGOs and many small private actors intervene in the seed sector.

Observations

East-West Seed is the only index company with sales activities in the Central African Republic.